11th Hero MTB Himalaya Stage Race, 27th September to 4th October

A number of months ago the organization HASTPA invited me to come and race in the 11^th edition of the Hero Himalaya MTB Stage Race.  They would organize everything and not one ever to turn down an opportunity like this I immediately said yes.  Gradually plans were put in place and I started looking at last year’s stages.  The race looked very tough, not only based at altitude but also climbing around 3000m every day, 500km over 7 days and with some days taking the leaders last year over 6 hours.  Rob, my every supportive husband suggest I try get hold of an altitude tent which I quickly dismissed on the grounds that even if we did find one in Yorkshire to rent which sounded highly unlikely, the cat would no doubt claw a hole in it in order to reach her duvet!

With much appreciation HASTPA booked my flight to Delhi all be it from Heathrow and the morning after an event we were working at in Harrogate finished.  So on Sunday night I got on a National Express, toured UK airports and finally arrived at Heathrow at 6am.  I must say despite the time it took, a bus takes all the stress out of travelling and on this one I didn’t even have to trek across London Victoria to change buses.  6 hours to kill/stay awake before getting on my Air India flight to Delhi.  Air India isn’t famous for luxury travel but with roughly one person to every three seats, very friendly staff and good non-spicy food it might have well have been first class travel. I arrived in India quite nervous about getting various taxis to the hotel then to the bus station the next morning but was saved by Srishti, working for the race, who was waiting for me despite it been 2am and who, only 3 hours later got a cab with myself, Andreas and Manuel from Austria to make sure we met the correct bus.  In my mind I pictured the public bus would have a few chickens strapped to the roof and would have 50 standing people in the aisles but instead it had seats that almost fully reclined with comfortable leg rests and I slept nicely till the lunch stop.   About three hours later we started climbing and it felt like the end was near yet the journey went on and on.  We stopped at some rough looking places and the hand gel post toilet stops became very handy.  Our driver who had been on the go since 8.30am was driving like a mad man up the mountain roads overtaking and relying on the horn on blind bends.  I was glad I wasn’t on the valley side of the bus even if the views were impressive.  The lights of Shimla finally came into view and 11 hours after embarking we staggered off to be welcomed by Ashish Sood whom I felt I already knew, as he was the one who answered every rider’s questions via our race Whats App group.  We were checked into one of the best hotels in Shimla; Woodville Palace, in the best part of town amongst the trees and only a short walk to the main tourist street, The Mall.  After a great dinner, sat outside in a restaurant overlooking the hustle and bustle I slept like a log and woke up to the sound of birds and crickets. 

The next few days passed nicely as I gradually got used to the thin air and a sore throat either from the air con on the bus, or the altitude went away. We were taken for a short ride by one of the local riders riding for Hero.  A hero he will be if he finishes the event as he dislocated his wrist a week ago and will be racing with a pot right up to his elbow!  He took us right up to the world’s highest positioned statue at around 2500m altitude I think and as it was the God of Power I asked him quietly if I could borrow a little, he was bright orange and matched my KTM after all!  I also joined Team Rocky Mountain up the main road to where the race would start on Sunday and though we rode easy, the traffic was that bad I am sure my heart rate was through the roof.

Each night that week I ate in the same restaurant until I waved at the chef on the way out and the waiters were super friendly.  I even ended up with one and a half dinners one night after asking for extra sour cream as my chicken wrap was too spicy for me and instead of sour cream he came back with a whole new wrap!  I felt rude not eating the whole thing again but it was that tasty it wasn’t such a hard challenge! 

On Friday most of the riders had arrived and a Press Conference was held.  It’s the first time I’ve ever sat at the front with a microphone and I tried not to show how nervous I was.  I wasn’t so much asked a question, rather asked to say a few words about the event and for a split second I panicked, had no words to say then all of a sudden I started waffling and all was fine again.  Some snacks and a chance to chat to other riders filled the rest of the afternoon and after showing some guys from Dubai the square as if I were now a local I joined them for one final dinner at my favorite restaurant. 

Pre race day is finally here now, it seems a lifetime ago that I waved Rob off at Leeds bus station and I am very much over the honking of horns and hustle and bustle of Shimla.  I planned the morning spot on.  We were to all ride behind a taxi carrying our bags through the morning down to the race hotel.  Knowing the hotel had a swimming pool (distraught to find it closed a little later!!) I came down behind an early taxi in kit ready to ride.  The rooms were to be ready in 20 minutes and knowing Indian time I headed out for a ride knowing by the time I got back the room may actually be ready.  True enough, 2 hours later having filled my lungs with some more truck fumes before finding a quiet road all be it way down the mountain, I came back to find my room just about ready.  My last night in a real bed before heading off into the unknown tomorrow begins.  With temperatures predicted of anything up to 30 degrees and down to minus 4 at night tonight I will make the most of four walls and a thick duvet!!   

Epic Cyrmu Stage Race 15 - 19th August

A stage race with short timed sections has never been something I’ve thought about doing… my strengths are grinding out hour after hour on relatively un technical terrain, finishing and starting again the next day, day after day but having said that I’ve always prided myself on going out of my depth on some adventure be it in some country I’ve never heard of (e.g East Timor) or on terrain that I know will terrify me (e.g Sudety Challenge) or a race amongst the best in the world (i.e. the World Champs) or just away from the comfort of home on my own (e.g how ever many months in South Africa).  I can so far say there are very few trips I’ve regretted despite last minute reservations and nerves, as the moto goes: ‘ you only regret things you haven’t done’.   

The Prologue

10km

After a 10 hour journey via some deliveries in the Lakes then the Friday afternoon crawl down the M6 we spent our last night of luxury on route and turned up to Malgam Park near Port Talbot the next day.  Despite heavy rain all journey Wales was looking nice,  dry and sunny.  At 4pm following the briefing we set off at 20 second intervals.  I was late off so did a loop to warm up and confirm that it really was as scary as it looked from the bottom of the hill.  I set off well though and was just thinking how I was enjoying it when I went right over the bars and landed straight on my head.  It was all fern so wasn’t painful but all I could think of was ‘what if there had been rocks there’.   After that incident I rode cautious and wasn’t overly happy with my ride.  I told myself a million times this event was one I was going to enjoy and learn from rather than try to be competitive but its not in my nature not to want to do 100% and I really didn’t ride the prologue well.  I did however have a brief visit to the hot seat for the leading male and female and got a bottle of beer out of it to the joy of Rob.  

Dinner was spot on, three different hot choices with plenty of carbs and protein then a gigantic portion of apple crumble and custard.  Rob had a bright idea to turn our Doblo van into a camper with a thick foam mattress and our pillows and duvet and I must say its one of the best ideas he’d ever had.  We were toasty all night and slept 10 hours!  

Glamping 'Doblo' Style

Stage One

50km, 1500m ascent

Margam Park inc Afan Park and Margam Forest

Due to our 10 hour hibernation we missed the porridge but there was plenty else on offer and since it wasn’t going to be flat out from the gun I had some beans on toast while Rob had the full English.  He then disappeared for the day on marshalling duties.  We left at a very civilised 10am in perfect conditions.  The route climbed from the off and though I initially thought I’d just have a social ride I then thought of all that apple crumble and started riding tempo along with a few others.  That also mean’t I started the first “Trail King’ descent with lots of space and really enjoyed it.  The route headed into Afan Forest and was single track onto more single track.  It was like the flowing red at Hamsterly in the UK or Welenpass in Wellington.  The more skilled rider could go down fast but the not so skilled could still enjoy it just a bit slower.

 I loved the whole route and worked very hard up the one section that was predominantly up hill.  From the feed which had everything any rider would want I rode almost to the end with a nice group of 4 with some good banter.  I stopped a few km short where Rob was marshalling and watched a number of riders descend a super steep bank with ease.  I was pleased to win the overall for the day that included the one up hill timed section and the two enduro sections.  After dinner there was a Tug of War competition that was great fun and Rob was ‘roped’ into a team that got through the first round. 

Stage Two

55km, 1500m ascent

Margam Park to Dare Valley Country Park inc Afan Forest and Glyncorrwg

There was plenty of porridge this morning for breakfast and I rolled out at 10am feeling nicely fuelled for a 100km stage never mind a 50km one!  With one big climb I was hoping to get some time in the bank for the downhills to come but half way up I hit a rock and got a flat.  I had to put a new tube in as I cut the tyre quite badly and lost a big chunk of time.  I don’t know how long the whole thing took but I knew then I’d messed up any chances of a podium.  I rode the rest of the climb a little gutted then got my act back to together and reminded myself I was initially here just to enjoy the week and did enjoy the rest of the route.  The scenery was amazing and the single track along the top track was pretty special. 

We finished with another timed downhill into camp at Dare Valley camp site and once Rob arrived back from a very long day marshalling I made sure I had a beer in hand for him before we set up our ‘luxury’ Doblo camper van.  I mean while had spent a relaxing afternoon with new South African friends before sorting my wheel out back to tubeless.  

Lovely views from camp

Stage Three

50km 1500m ascent

Dare Valley Country Park inc Bike Park Wales and Mountain Ash

With any chance of doing well overall with only one more timed climb and 7 timed descents coming up I decided that I would ride out of my comfort zone all day today to try get some higher end fitness back before more stage races come along.  The day started with a neutral zone through town then onto a long climb right to the top before descending into Bike Park Wales.  I got straight into my effort and found myself at the front which was quite a novelty!  After a short black descent there was no recovery before the first timed section, an uphill xc climb.  It was a great climb and I was probably one of few riders who found it the best part of the day!!  From that was 2 ‘real’ downhill section.  I approached them wrongly, over cautious at the words ‘downhill course’ and stopping a number of times to get well out of the way of anyone coming down behind then loosing rhythm to get going again.  However I got down both unscathed and wish I could have gone and done them again as neither were as bad as everyone was making out last night.  Luckily for me the whole course was pre ridden each day making sure arrows were in place and Richie who set out at 7 each morning re taped a section blocking a huge gap jump that some idiot had taken off.  As the first none capable rider of clearing anything like a gap jump I was very grateful to her!

I pressed on although of course didn’t miss the cakes at the stop or a chance to fill bottles on what was turning into a scorcher of a day (poor Rob was evidence of how much the sun was shinning as he arrived back from a very exposed marshalling duty looking like a lobster!)  Once out of Bike Park Wales I stopped for lube at the Squirt tent and put in my last bit of energy up and over into our valley.  It was good for moral to come in 2nd point to point behind a fellow KTM rider even though of course it mean’t nothing on the results.  It also mean’t a clean me, bike and kit all before afternoon tea at 3pm!  

First two bikes back in camp are KTMs

Presentation this evening was in between a band playing and was a really good night as awards were given out for things like ‘worst dressed rider’ to someone in Sky kit to ‘best speech’ by a Polish rider who had us all in stitches with his pigeon English about braking his bike and ‘best crash’ going to a guy who’s broke his frame clean in two and ‘happiest rider’ going to a Japanese rider who has the biggest grin on all the event photos.  

Stage Four

50km 1300m ascent

Dare Valley Country Park to Margam Park

Complete contrast to the previous days we woke to heavy rain and wind.  I could have stayed longer in the van under the duvet but Rob was on early marshalling duties so it was quickly up, packing up the van and sitting in the marquee dreading the moment of venturing out.  Once riding we soon warmed up with a big climb onto the tops. There was a brief rest bite in the rain as we climbed into the mist and next to some big wind farms slowly moving round it was eerie and strangely beautiful.  The route re traced much of what we had done before and the timed sections was down the long 8km climb we had done two days ago.  In the now pouring rain the loose sharp rocks were pretty sketchy but the Rubena tyres didn’t slip much at all.  The thought of hitting one of the sharp rocks and getting another flat in this weather was pretty unbearable so I was pretty cautious.  I’ve also got another 4 stage races to get through this year so as with yesterday I rode within my self and quite enjoyed the descent.  Rob was marshalling half way down already looking soaked to the skin,.  The helpers today definitely deserved a huge medal, every one was smiling and encouraging despite standing in the pouring rain hour after hour.  Following the feed stop at 25km we re traced our route back towards where it all began in Margam Park.  With the rain still coming down true Welsh style and the wind now in our faces I was happy enough riding on my own, head down and keeping a tempo fast enough to keep warm.  Finally we fit the last enduro section to the finish.  Without seeing a soul across the whole exposed moor top it was typical to then get a small queue at the timed start as one of the fastest descenders pulled on his pads, goggles and today tried to get feeling back in his frozen hands.  The descent was a river in places and a lake in others as at two points the puddles were that deep I swallowed a mouth full going through.  Even though highly amusing and only for a joke of course it was quite appropriate that the Polish rider finished the event with his swim hat and goggles on!!  The setting at the finish in front of the magnificent castle at Margam was a great idea, especially as it included a proper cafe with big hot mugs of tea.  It was a shame the race had finished in such conditions but it also made us feel very lucky for the 4 blue sky days we had had.  It is Wales after all!!  

Hiding from the rain

Thanks to Matt and ACycling  for putting on a fantastic event and inviting me along.  There were lots and lots of happy riders and I saw evidence all over of Matt’s own race experinces from the great food on offer, the video clips and other nightly entertainment, the mixture of trails and extremely well marked and marshalled route.   I will always be a fan of point to point racing but for something a bit different and so far out of my own comfort zone I personally had great fun out there and met a whole load of new people.  Next year I’ll come with a dropper seat post, knee pads and take a part of my brain out that is far to sensible!  

Thanks also to Rubena UK for my Kratos 29er tyres, KTM for setting up my bike, and Squirt Lube.   

Finish line setting

Sani 2 c Stage Race 14th - 16th May 2015

After Joberg2c I had almost two very restful weeks down in Stellenbosch riding out to new wine estates for coffee and spending the afternoons sat around drinking more coffee at Ride In where I was also staying.  I did do a few efforts leading up to Sani where I was riding again with Yolande De Villiers in Sasol hoping to wake my legs back up.  I felt recovered for Sani but not particularly fresh and bouncy on the bike however nothing would have prepared my for the pain I was to go through on that 1^st stage!!

Day One

Glencairn Farm – MacKenzie Club

79km

We drove to the start glad we were only leaving at 8am in order for the sun to warm the temperature from the fresh 2 degrees it was first thing. Leaving with Batch A I rode flat out in the neutralized zone hanging onto the group.  I battled hard and Yolande had to drop back for me as we entered the first set of single track.  I felt drained and empty and wondered if it was the beetroot juice I’d made yesterday and made a mental note that the day before a stage race is not the time to try new fads!!  The single track was even smoother than in Joberg2c, Farmer Glen having had the team out widening and smoothing out the trails and gone were the dried up cow trodden bumps.  We rode conservatively in Joberg2c as we had a big lead but here there was nothing to lose and it felt great zipping in and out of the trees.  Yolande was convinced the trees were closer in and had a small collision with one just seconds after been told by Justin how fast she was riding.  Yolande never complains though and grabbing her bike she lost no time at all, in fact I only noticed after we’d finished the whole race that her knee was pretty scabbed up.  Over the floating bridge we settled into a group.  Well, I never felt settled, I was glad I had taken the scenery in a few weeks earlier because today I was just following wheels.  I was beating myself up for riding badly but then we saw 2 woman’s team just in front and as we caught and passed them, though my legs were still screaming, I was glad the effort was worth it and realized I wasn’t riding bad, we were just riding fast.  We caught and rode with mixed team Jeannie and Martin Dreyer for a long while and enjoyed the single-track descents a lot.  Despite Sani2c now the largest stage race in the world, the way the races are separated into the Ride, Adventure and Race and each race is batched I saw and heard no one complain about congestion on the trails. 

The new finish up through a few farms allowed us to look around to see no other woman’s team close by and we came in 2^nd to Ariane and Cherise of RECM whom had had a solid first day and finished with our team mates Johan Labuschagne and Yolandi du Toit who came first in the Mixed.  Our other team mates Leana de Jager and Dalene Van Der Leek  came in 6th Woman.  It was by far the fastest I’d ridden a race all year and my legs told me but after a great massage from Jarrad and lots of comfort food in the form of banana bread, Clover Vanilla Milk, crunchies and rusks I felt ready for the Queen stage tomorrow.   

Day 2

MacKenzie Club to Jolivet

99km

Despite a 6.30am start I think I had the record number of over 8 sleep hours in one night in the tent!  After a bowl of oats I got down to the van and found my bike already gone.  Yolande was determined to be on the front line and took our bikes there before 6am.  We laughed a lot about how she must have looked alone in the dark on that line as no one else was there for a long time. 

As soon as the sun rose up we were off racing down towards the single track and down the famous Umkomaas Valley.  The trail splits off to the right and left and while the right had more traffic on its said to be the quicker line and as Yolande was on the right I also stayed there.  Unfortunately the split track caught Candise and Bianca out as Candise went left and then took a wrong turn.  We found Bianca at the bottom of the valley asking everyone if we’d seen her. The descent down was the best I’ve ever done.  We were in a line of riders but moving along at a nice pace and for the first time I can remember the cloud allowed us to descend without been blinded by the sun and also meant there was no mist in the valley either.  By the bottom we had caught our Mixed teammates as well as Jennie andVera and then a lost looking Bianca.   We stayed together until the first water point then after that we were near the front and in and out of the river crossings we pulled away from the others.  I thankfully had much better legs and have always enjoyed this stage with the steep climbs and grinding nature that I find a lot easier than the fast flatter stages.  At one point we saw the RECM girls and got within 30 seconds though once they saw us sneaking up they pulled a gap on us again.  Through the 2^nd water point we decided it would waste too much time filling our bottles and both had a full small one left so instead of Nados burgers and coke we continued with Biogen energy drink and jels.  We didn’t catch onto the girls group though up ‘Push of a Climb’ and both knew descending down the forest without any men for company we wouldn’t catch up now.  Yolande was again a super strong teammate and though at least today I did do some turns at the front she did the lion’s share.  The downhill finish was much appreciated, as was the new spread out venue with lots of chill areas for a social afternoon (and more crunchies).  Johan and Yolandi came in 2^nd a few seconds behind 1^st so keeping their lead and the other Sasol girls came in 6^th. 

That evening for the 2^nd night running we were the audience to the live feed of interviews watched by 10000 and tonight both Yolande and me were involved.  I think I was more nervous than on the start line 12 hours earlier!! 

Day 3

Jolivet – Scottsburgh

84km

Batch A and B started out at 10am in order to let most of the riders get down to Scottsburgh and see the elite riders finish.  As it was one of the elite men racing for the win fell off the floating bridge a few hundred meters before the finish trying to overtake a rider so they did have something exciting in store to watch.  I made the most of some extra sleep and woke to hear batch C ride off at 7am.  We had a relaxed breakfast and even got a warm up in before lining up.  The downhill start was dry and dusty and it was a matter of trusting the riders in front as you couldn’t see the floor. I got stuck behind some riders and then tried to bridge across on a flat section.  I put in so much effort once we hit a hill everyone who was sat on my wheel came whizzing past and I then struggled to recover and dropped a lot of places.  I finally sat in a small group and we caught a big group in front but then I was at the back and having to do intervals out of every bend to keep up.  The group split up gradually which I was glad for, as it was way to big and I happily sat behind one of the buffalo teams (combined weight of 180 ish kg I think) who were motoring along the flat sections.

The stage defiantly went by quicker than in Sani2c and while the legs weren’t quite as sore, we rode the race much more intense not letting up or chatting much at all, especially once we caught Candise and Bianca.  I felt stronger the last 20km than the rest of the race (probably something to do with the can of Red Bull been handed out) and didn’t mind the ‘Three Bitches’ in the last 10km or the short sandy sections before the floating bridge.  As always the bridge did have a bit of sideways movement and with so many spectators it was a bit worrying but we got over dry and over the moon with another 2^nd position and 2^nd overall in best woman’s field ever assembled at Sani2c.   Our time was 10h14.55, 8 minutes down on the winners. Johan and Yolandi had a great day and finished with another win extending their lead on GC with a time of 10h12 and Leana and Dalene, Sasol’s tough cookies finished in Scottsbrough happy and looking strong despite Leana’s suspected fractured ribs from Joberg2c and Dalene’s virus picked up after the Epic.  The men’s race was a tight one with 20seconds separating 1^st and 2^nd going into the last day and was eventually won by Darren Lill and Waylon Woolcock. 

Big respect and congratulations to Ariane and Cherise, I know Cherise dug deep riding with Ariane for three days and heard how fast they were hitting every descent but they both finished without crashes or mechanicals and always with a smile and hug for us at the finish line.  In third was Jennie Stenerhag and Vera Adrian, ahead of Samantha Sanders and Theresa Ralph, followed by Bianca and Candice. It was certainly a privilege been in the mix amongst such a strong field and the friendship I see that builds up amongst our competitors in the men’s and woman’s field is pretty unique to mountain biking.  Though we are all extremely competitive and always want to do our best mountain biking is as much against the environment and conditions as fellow riders and struggling through bad and good days forms a bond amongst us allowing us to finish racing, chat, laugh and consolidate no matter the position we finish. 

Thank you for the second time in the space of a couple of weeks to Farmer Glen, family and crew for another awesome race, groomed trails, massively improved venues and competitive field.  Thank you also to Sasol, Jarryd our masseur, Johan and especially Yolande, my hard as nails partner.  I spent three days in the hurt box and loved the satisfaction and pure exhaustion by the end. I can tell I need a rest but she brought out the best in me and was a great wheel to sit on through the tress and when my legs did buckle on the fast sections.  

Old Mutual Joberg2c 9 Day Stage Race, 24th April - 2nd May

Out of all the races I missed last year Joberg2C was the biggest.  Having won here twice and 2^nd once I have so many fond memories and not only because I've had good results.   The atmosphere is way more relaxed than most races, most riders are here just to finish and waiting at each race venue are hundreds of eager school kids, happy to clean your bike, give you water and clean up after you’ve demolished one excellent meal after another.  Dinner is served by woman from the community and they are all equally happy to help.  Each night we are treated with the comedy trio of Glen, Gary and Craig as they recap the day and tell us what’s in store the next as well as speeches from sponsors, those benefitting from the race coming through and war stories and photos from the day. 

The riding itself is through such vast open landscapes of the Free State to the groomed famous Sani2c trails and varies each day until the sea at Scottsbrough finally is in sight.  Yes, I sound like I’m making an advert for the race but maybe I am as to me it is a race close to my heart and each year at the end I always hope I’ll be back in 12 months time. Here is my blog of the first four days so far:

Day One

Karan Beef near Heidelberg to Frankfort

116km

Always a non race day it suits me that everyone gets the same time as my record of feeling rubbish on the first day meant I could suffer without it mattering!  Leaving Heidelberg we soon had one of few climbs and straight away I lost Yolande de Villiers sight of the Sasol train, my fellow team mates for the race: Yolande de Villiers; my partner and Johan Labuschagne and Leana de Jager, riding mixed.  Luckily at the top the route splits and while most riders headed to the left I went right and soon got Yolande’s wheel back.  Day One is a hard one to ride; you still must get through over 100km of pretty flat but sometimes grueling going while trying not to expend much energy.  Staying in a group helps a lot but the one we were with was shifting along too fast so I dropped off with Leana forcing Yolande and Johan to also drop back.  We got a nicer steadier group and I had a good natter to friends and friends to be over the kms.  The Dragon boats had been replaced by a floating bridge which while pretty unique wasn’t quite the same as all sitting in the boats and rowing across.  The route was very muddy all day thanks to an overnight downpour and the terrain was hard going but soon we were at the third water point and we stopped to have some Karoo meat and marshmallow dipped in condensed milk, a very sweet combination!! At the finish the race took a short detour through the infant school where all the kids were there cheering us on and making us feel like super stars, before finishing at the High School.   Riding for Sasol we have our own campervan and mechanic which is a real bonus for recovery and trusting your bike is 100% when you get on it in the morning for me makes a massive difference to how I ride. 

Day Two

Frankfort School to Reitz Showgrounds

93km

The real race begun in earnest and the start I must say I struggled with for the first 30 minutes.  We rode fast along a jeep track and I seemed to find every big puddle, rut and ‘black’ mud, the kind that sucks you in and doesn’t let go!!  I saw Yolande, Johan and Leana in one line keeping out of trouble and the more I tried to catch them, the more mistakes I made.  I caught back with a big effort once on the open road and after that I was fine.  The pace was fast and our group was a nice size.  Johan sat at the front and a few guys also helped keep the pace up and the km’s flew by.  The 10km of single track near the end followed by passing Larry’s ever expanding wolf sanctuary was the best bit of the day and all four of us came in the finish together, me and Yolande winning the woman’s category, Johan and Leana winning the mixed. 

Day Three

Reitz to Sterkfontein Dam

This morning the Free State gave us a clear sky and with it much colder weather than we’ve had so far and I appreciated a bowl of oats for breakfast.  By 7am we were off in the bight sunshine.  We weren’t cold for long as we were in for another gallop as soon as we hit the dirt road out of town. I could tell straight away Yolande wasn’t comfortable and she said she had one of those days where neither leg wants to work.  That was fine as it was a pretty flat day until Mount Paul and we sat in a slightly slower group where I was able to take in the landscape a little: huge vast open spaces, the feeling of been in the middle of no where, massive corn fields and distant mountains as we neared the dam.  The 4km dam wall provided a strong tail wind thankfully and soon enough we arrived at my favorite camp venue.  Nice and compact, baths so I could have a hot and cold recovery bath and a long table full of sweet treats which has enabled me to write up this blog so far without need of a nap or 2^nd coffee!!!

Day Four

Sterkfontein Dam to Winterton

121km

We had a foggy start this morning as we prepared to move from the Free State into KwaZulu-Natal and we stayed in the camper van as long as possible before venturing out.  The start was soon onto a rough newly laid road full of big stones making it difficult to ride in a big group with so many riders around.  The rolling hills and fast pace split the groups up quickly which was a good things as we climbed up the escarpment and onto Great Wall My China, now in Berg n Bush territory in small groups.  The single track of Sollie’s Folly down is one of my favorites and by the bottom we formed a nice group with Leana and Johan and all was going well until Leana hit a huge ant hill with her pedal on a fast downhill and flew at least 10 meters through the air.  She was crying out and as I got back to her she wasn’t moving and I feared the very least a broken bone.  Someone had a phone to ring the medics and with little else to do Yolande and me left her with Johan and got to the next set of medics to inform them.  We were both very down after that but grateful that some of the group we were with hung back just for some other conversation.  The route had changed a lot since 2 years ago and instead of the steep concrete climb up Spioenkop we climbed round the edge and still got the fantastic single-track descent off it.  After the last feed we had Puff Adder climb and then it was all down hill.  Apart from Yolande taking a brief dip in the river a few kms out we finished without any issues and 12^th team in overall.  The best bit of the day was seeing Leana and Johan ride in only 15 minutes or so later.  Bruised and very sore but with no broken bones and they even held onto their 1^st place on GC!

Stage 5

Winterton to Clifton Prep School

112km

Leana managed to start the day but soon had to pull out with pain in her arm and chest but was slightly consolidated with a ride in the chopper.  We started strong and hung onto the lead group for a fair while.  Once it split we found ourselves with familiar faces.  That’s one of the nice things about this race, every day you end up riding with the same riders until they become friends and you see who is going through good and bad patches. Today was full of long but not too taxing climbs on open roads and views of central Drakensberg we appreciated more because we’d worked for them.  We finished without incident at a new venue at Clifton School. I’ve never seen kids so polite and helpful and they left cookies in the tents and had drawn pictures of bikes dotted all over the smart new hall.  After lunch and a whole hours massage I relaxed outside on the green lawns with a Seattle coffee and my third piece of lemon cake and caught up with some Australian friends; Meg and Nick.  I’d first met Meg back in Trans Alps and then in America and she has some amazing stories from other stage races.

Stage 6

Clifton to Glencairn Farm

98km

To top off a very hospitable venue we were led out of the school grounds by a few kids on their horses.  The mist was thick and the organisers decided to control the start until we were out of it.  We then had a second start up a hill so we went from freezing cold to flat out sprint up hill!  The pace felt very hard on the road and I prayed the long climb would come quickly so we could back off and ride a bit slower.  I was off the group sooner than that though with a flat tire on a fast decent and alone as Yolande was in front of me.   The camera man pulled up as I found my bomb but it wouldn’t seal.  I tried with my other bomb and a plug at the ready but could see no hole and it went flat again.  By then loads of riders had passed and thankfully Paris, a Avis rider who was sick as a dog that day came to the rescue and put my tube in and bombed it in a matter of minutes.  I lost lots of time but it did mean we climbed past loads of riders on the pass and that always makes you feel good!!  We kept the pace ‘steady’ (our word of the week we say to each other a lot when we switch turns at the front which is quite ironic as we’ve been riding as hard as could go most days!)  With 40km to go the real work started with a huge climb then lots more ups and downs.  The last 10km was the hardest finish to the race so far and took forever.  I also fell in a river and while it was nice and cooling down my back I hit my elbow and knee, which wasn’t too pleasant and my last bit of energy in the form of a fruit cake turned into a soggy mess!!  Finally the finish was in sight, a new venue to be used in Sani2c with great views from the dining marquee.   

Day 7

Glencairn Farm to MacKenzie Club

79km

Known as the rest day in Joberg2c but with 6 long days in everyone’s legs a rest day would involve no more than lounging on the sofa for the day!  I battled with the start and went backwards on the first climb.  I dug deep to stay on the wheels, blew on the first uphill single track and dug even deeper to hang onto wheels once back out in the open.  Yolande was super strong thankfully and paced us along until my legs finally clicked into action and we worked our way back up to familiar faces.  Neither of us wanted to ride flat out so we sat in a group and was able to really enjoy the groomed flowing single-track sections amongst the trees and the famous floating bridge.   We travelled through an indigenous forest and for the 4^th year saw no sign of the endangered Cape parrot.  I downed two cups of coke at the last feed before Bowman’s climb; neither of us had managed much more than a quarter of our bottles so it was much needed!  The finish was through a new farm and though still a climb to the finish was a much better end than seeing the road drag up in front of you as was the old route.  The marquee had a great chill area inside where I spent most of the afternoon lounging on sofas, eating banana bread and talking nonsense.

Day 8

MacKenzie Club to Jolivet

99km

The last ‘big’’ day of Joberg2c and in preparation for a long outing for many riders the first batch was let loose at 6.30.  I wasn’t impressed with having to set my alarm that bit earlier, I have got to the stage where the hardest and most unpleasant part of the day isn’t the first few climbs with dead heavy legs but dragging yourself from a warm sleeping back at 5am and pulling on cold lycra!  At least breakfast has been good the whole race with every village making big pots of porridge and hardly any queues.  As the sun came up we set off for the coldest start so far.  Everyone wanted to get to the single track down the Umkomaas Valley first so it was flat out from the go.  We were positioned fine until about 10 of us went the wrong way, only a few hundred meters wrong but we lost a lot of places and started the descent behind a long line of riders. It was a pretty slow descent because of the light which was so blinding you had to just hope you didn’t hit a rock in certain patches.  To do this single track in the middle of the day, with baggies on and with a few mates around to stop a few times and look at the views would really be one of the best descents in South Africa. 

Once down and past the first water point the tough riding began though the building of bridges the last few years has made the crossings a whole lot easier and amongst a group including the two top masters teams we gradually made our way to ‘Push of a climb’ where Yolande tasted the sausage she had devoured just beforehand a number of times!  The steep climbs where you must concentrate are the ones I enjoy and luckily my legs felt a whole lot better than yesterday.  Yolande was also having a good day and together we pushed on.  The single tracks back down towards the finish were smooth and felt fast in and out of the trees and with around 10km, on my request we eased up.  In a few weeks time we both knew we’d be racing flat out so for now it was a chance to appreciate the areas we were going through.  Farmer Gary had done a great job sorting out the finish down Charlie’s Catwalk.  We’d been warned about having to go down the road (which though easier on the legs was a bit dodgy with taxis) as the catwalk was a mess but since early that morning Gary had got a group of workers on the job and the finish was safe and fun. 

Much later that afternoon the commentator got a whole group of riders out on the finish straight to bring home the last tandem to a hero’s welcome.  What a story that was; blind Kenyan stoker Douglas and his 19 year old pilot John had crashed and John had broken his collarbone.  While he couldn’t carry on another rider, Darryl Gove from New Zealand brought Douglas back.  His first time on a tandem they eventually finished and Darryl was emotionally broken.  Stories that these make Joberg2c the special race it really is. The next day Darryl had offered the two Kenyan's an entry into his race, the Kiwi Crusade in New Zealand and Old Mutual offered to sponsor the flights!!

Day 9

Jolivet to Scottsburgh

84km

My memories of the last day in previous years are of been pretty sick with a stomach bug which had spread like wild fire round the camp.  If you didn’t have the bug you had a cough and the place looked and sounded like a hospital!  This year however with the thanks to hand sanitizers all over the place at every camp there very few cases of sickness and this morning was a general excited feel amongst the riders.  The changed route made the day one of steep lactic acid climbs, loose corners and long sections of downhill with some great sections of single-track inbetween.   We sat on wheels all day and let some of our usual riding buddies fly off.  Neither of us had saved anything the last 8 days so there was no way we were going to be able to race flat out to the sea.  It was still a tough and intense day but soon the sea was in sight topped off with the excitement of the floating bridge all the way to the line.  As the bridge is in the sea it does move from side to side and feels like you are riding drunk.  Falling in wouldn’t have been too bad though as it was a lovely warm day and, once finished we had a swim in there anyway!  We were both super happy with our victory and I was so pleased at how we had rode the whole race but also had a heavy heart that it was over and that our other team mates, Leana and Johan hadn't been able to finish as a team.  

Old Mutual Joberg2c stays top of my list of stage races and I can not thank Glen, Gary and Craig as well as their wives and everyone else working on the event enough for enriching my life with 9 days of pure bliss.  The ride, the people, the scenery, the journey and the challenge make this one unforgettable.  

Massive thanks to our ace mechanics Gerhard and Dennis from The Bicycle Company, to Johan and Sasol for the ride and for speaking English (apart from when it was about me!!) and to Yolande de Villiers for been such a consistently strong, fun and all round nice partner to have.  

Old Mutual Joberg2c 9 day stage race 24th April – 2nd May

Out of all the races I missed last year Joberg2C was the biggest.  Having won here twice and 2^nd once I have so many fond memories and not only because I've had good results.   The atmosphere is way more relaxed than most races, most riders are here just to finish and waiting at each race venue are hundreds of eager school kids, happy to clean your bike, give you water and clean up after you’ve demolished one excellent meal after another.  Dinner is served by woman from the community and they are all equally happy to help.  Each night we are treated with the comedy trio of Glen, Gary and Craig as they recap the day and tell us what’s in store the next as well as speeches from sponsors, those benefitting from the race coming through and war stories and photos from the day. 

The riding itself is through such vast open landscapes of the Free State to the groomed famous Sani2c trails and varies each day until the sea at Scottsbrough finally is in sight.  Yes, I sound like I’m making an advert for the race but maybe I am as to me it is a race close to my heart and each year at the end I always hope I’ll be back in 12 months time. Here is my blog of the first four days so far:

Day One

Always a non race day it suits me that everyone gets the same time as my record of feeling rubbish on the first day meant I could suffer without it mattering!  Leaving Heidelberg we soon had one of few climbs and straight away I lost Yolande de Villiers sight of the Sasol train, my fellow team mates for the race: Yolande de Villiers; my partner and Johan Labuschagne and Leana de Jager, riding mixed.  Luckily at the top the route splits and while most riders headed to the left I went right and soon got Yolande’s wheel back.  Day One is a hard one to ride; you still must get through over 100km of pretty flat but sometimes grueling going while trying not to expend much energy.  Staying in a group helps a lot but the one we were with was shifting along too fast so I dropped off with Leana forcing Yolande and Johan to also drop back.  We got a nicer steadier group and I had a good natter to friends and friends to be over the kms.  The Dragon boats had been replaced by a floating bridge which while pretty unique wasn’t quite the same as all sitting in the boats and rowing across.  The route was very muddy all day thanks to an overnight downpour and the terrain was hard going but soon we were at the third water point and we stopped to have some Karoo meat and marshmallow dipped in condensed milk, a very sweet combination!! At the finish the race took a short detour through the infant school where all the kids were there cheering us on and making us feel like super stars, before finishing at the High School.   Riding for Sasol we have our own campervan and mechanic which is a real bonus for recovery and trusting your bike is 100% when you get on it in the morning for me makes a massive difference to how I ride. 

Day Two

The real race begun in earnest and the start I must say I struggled with for the first 30 minutes.  We rode fast along a jeep track and I seemed to find every big puddle, rut and ‘black’ mud, the kind that sucks you in and doesn’t let go!!  I saw Yolande, Johan and Leana in one line keeping out of trouble and the more I tried to catch them, the more mistakes I made.  I caught back with a big effort once on the open road and after that I was fine.  The pace was fast and our group was a nice size.  Johan sat at the front and a few guys also helped keep the pace up and the km’s flew by.  The single track near the end followed by passing the wolf sanctuary was the best bit of the day and all four of us came in the finish together, me and Yolande winning the woman’s category, Johan and Leana winning the mixed. 

Day Three

This morning with a clear sky was way colder than we’ve had so far and I appreciated a bowl of oats for breakfast.  By 7am we were off in the bight sunshine.  We weren’t cold for long as we were in for another gallop as soon as we hit the dirt road out of town.  I was surprised to look round and not see Yolande, she was only a group back but didn’t look as comfortable as the last few days.  True enough she had one of those days where neither leg wants to work but with it been another pretty flat stage it just meant we sat with a slightly slower group.  No one really wanted to work and it was a little frustrating but I did appreciate the views a lot; huge vast open spaces, one of the largest corn fields in South Africa and distant mountains as we neared the dam.  The 4km dam wall provided a strong tail wind thankfully and soon enough we arrived at my favorite camp venue.  Nice and compact, baths so I could have a hot and cold recovery bath and a long table full of sweet treats which has enabled me to write up this blog so far without need of a nap or 2^nd coffee!!!

Day Four

We had a foggy start this morning and we stayed in the camper van as long as possible before venturing out.  The start was a fast neutral zone out of the dam then a rough newly laid road full of big stones making it difficult to ride in a big group with so many riders around.  The rolling hills and fast pace split the groups up quickly which was a good things as we climbed up the escarpment, now in Berg n Bush territory in small groups.  The single track down is always fun but also quite sketchy and loose in places.  By the bottom we formed a nice group with Leana and Johan and all was going well until Leana hit a huge ant hill with her pedal on a fast downhill and flew at least 10 meters through the air.  She was crying out and as I got back to her she wasn’t moving and I feared at least a broken bone.  She had landed flat out face down with her arms above her.  Someone had a phone to ring the medics and with little else to do Yolande and me left her with Johan and got to the next set of medics to inform them.  We were both very down after that but grateful that some of the group we were with hung back just for some other conversation other than what we were having like what hospital she might end up in!!  The route had changed a lot since 2 years ago and instead of the steep concrete climb we climbed round the edge and still got the fantastic single-track descent off it.  After the last feed we had Puff Adder climb and then it was all down hill.  Apart from Yolande taking a brief dip in the river a few kms out we finished without any issues and the highest position 12^th team in, so far.  The best bit of the day was seeing Leana and Johan ride in only 15 minutes or so later.  Bruised and very sore but with no broken bones and they even held onto their 1^st place on GC!

ABSA Cape Epic.. continued

Stage 3

Elgin to Worcester

128km 2300m ascent

It was sad to leave Oak Valley with its smooth single track knowing that we were heading into real Epic territory in Worcester.  Leaving the start at 7am pretty soon we were up the day’s biggest climbing The Tierkop, where we climbed fast and was well positioned.  Nizaam had a brief bad patch where we finally slowed down and lost a few groups.  Neither of us expected it to be that difficult terrain and I went to 83km with just one big and one small bottle and completely ran out of food.  We almost both switched to ‘limp home mode’ when the feed station came into view and I shoved so much fruit cake in my pocket it kept me going the rest of the ride.  Another mixed team caught us and we sat on his wheel for the last section across a windy dam and through a few sandy patches.  We were both pleased for the tow as we were both pretty shattered by then and I didn’t make a move to sprint past them at the end.  I’m not actually sure my legs could have sprinted anyway without going into cramp.  We came in 3^rd mixed team, 70^th overall. 

Stage 4

Worcester - Worcester

120km 2000m climbing

Everyone has a bad day in the Epic and today hopefully was my only one.  The first mission was getting out of bed, even getting down the stairs was a mission and even though Zac does make the best porridge I even had to force that down.  As we started out I lost Nizaam and he got in a group ahead of me.  I was in a big group and he had to drop back for me then as we turned off the road onto the dusty duel track he crashed badly.  He was fine luckily and we carried on in a slower group.  I never really got my rhythm apart from on a few climbs and felt uncomfortable all day.  I was slightly nauseous but still managed to eat but just felt flat.  Thankfully Nizaam was on good form and though I was wishing for him to slow down I was happy he felt strong enough for me to sit slip the whole way.  Despite how I felt we had one of our best results coming in 2^nd and 65^th overall (another team were catching up but I gritted my teeth and picked up the pace).

I spent the afternoon feeling pretty rough with a sore throat and blocked nose, took a mass of Vit C thanks to Andrew heading out specially to the shops again, and hoped I’d feel better tomorrow.

 

Not sure how much slip I gave my partner!

Stage 5

Worcester – Wellington

117km 2500m ascent

Another wake up by the bagpipes around camp at 5.20am, giving me 10 minutes to lie and comprehend the day ahead.  The day looked a big one on paper, 120km with loads of climbing and steep climbs.  We rolled out along the same dusty roads though the pace was steadier in our group.  Turning up into ‘Powerlines’ climbs we were in a good position and not in a long slow queue up the hills.  It was slow going terrain and so filled up at the first water point where as usually we’d get to the 2^nd point where our own bottles were.  On paper the next section looked easy but was far from it with sandy climbs through orchards and some leg zapping single-track climbs.  Still we went well and were catching teams up.  Running out of water and food the 2^nd water point couldn’t come soon enough.  I have Nizaam well trained now in grabbing the food and going and we found ourselves first out of the feed from our group.  We couldn’t hang on to them though in the sand towards Bain’s Kloof Pass leaving us alone to pace up the flat windy valley.  I was relieved to get on the climb where it was more sheltered and meant the top was in sight along with coke time at the final water point.  So far down the pass, we turned left on to the Welvanpas trails and started to climb again, 2 big climbs left through the forest where the trees offered slight shelter from the 30 plus heat.  Considering we were around 6 hours in the descent they brought us down was very sketchy in places. Nizaam crashed and for the second time this week I had nowhere to go other then into him.  A few new bruises but no other problems and we enjoyed the rest of the single track down and into the finish.  We came in 2^nd, and moved into 2^nd on GC after.   The Asrin men had a real bad day with Craig crashing hard and breaking his back wheel.  He had to wait to get a lift out so they are now out of the race.    

Tired but still smiling

Stage 6

Wellington – Wellington

71km

2000m ascent

We woke to rain this morning.  It wasn’t cold but not that pleasant going to the start line in the dark and damp.  Wolfgang, Craig’s partner woke up with a bad stomach so didn’t start, he looked so white he must have been slightly relived he didn’t have to drag himself through the stage.  However it wasn’t cold and after the first hour it stopped and we started to appreciate what the rain had done.  I felt flat as one of Zac’s pancakes at the start and thought it was going to be a painful ride.  With a blocked nose and sore throat I thought it was that but gradually I felt better while at the same time Nizaam started to tire.  The single track was so patted down after the rain it was perfect and I started enjoying it a lot.  Out of 70km, 30km was single track.  After the second water point we had a long climb onto Bain’s Pass followed by new single track through the forest.  It was like a roller coaster with riders above and below us and I loved it.  If this stage was with fresh legs where every steep climb didn’t feel like it was going to snap your muscles it would have been a perfect race and while it suited the XC riders more than us I did enjoy it.  We came in 4^th, lost some time to 3^rd on GC but still hanging onto 2^nd.  Now the main aim is to get to tomorrow without Nizaam or myself catching the stomach bug. 

Stage 7

Wellington – Meerendal

87km 1500 ascent

With the start time as 7.45 I was excited to have an extra 45 minutes sleep but as the bagpipes came round it didn’t feel like we’d had any extra time in bed.  Usually food is forced down in the mornings but I’ve found Zac’s porridge the best pre race breakfast I’ve found, with a big dollop of honey, a cup of tea and a Rusk I’ve never felt uncomfortable at the start and yet I don’t need any race food until about 2 hours in which is a good job as its been either dusty or fast or has involved steep climbs and hands on bars at all time style racing the first few hours.   After that I’ve found trail mix in my pocket the easiest thing to grab, maybe one energy bar and the rest has been fruit cake, muffins or fruit at the feeds along with a much looked forward to coke and water mix at the last feed.  Today was an exception though as I had the feeling Nizaam was striving for a stage wins.  We sat with the two other top mixed teams, I feel off the back a couple of times lacking with acceleration round the corners and seemed to find the deep sand every time but got back on.  Eventually we were down to two teams and I had my first gel of the week.  The jersey wearers then had a jammed chain.  I asked Nizaam how he was feeling; he said he was good so I suggested we ride hard.   There are few riders faster than Nizaam on the open descents so I sat behind while he went full gas down hill.  We had a good gap by the time we turned into the final climb behind Meerendal but I hadn’t realized Nizaam didn’t know we still had a climb left.  He battled as hard as he could, dropped his chain once and all the while I could see the team getting closer but didn’t say anything.  Once at the top we had 5km to go downhill on single track.  I laughed after at our scenario afterwards but at the time it was pretty stressful as I kept loosing sight of Nizaam.  He said after he was seeing double by then and crashed three times!  With one km to go I was freewheeling and seeing the green jerseys of the next mixed team but not Nizaam.  Finally a few hundred meters to go he was there and we crossed the line 1^st on the stage, Yvonne and Peter just 8 seconds behind. 

 

This face says: 'You didn't tell me about that last hill!'

The crowds at the finish of the Epic are always huge but our Asrin supporters stood out amongst everyone.  With a huge banner and around 30 of Nizaam’s friends and family plus my folks it really did feel like we’d achieved something special.  I’d gone to the Epic with an aim of a podium finish on a stage and would never have predicted we’d come 2^nd overall.  We’d rode carefully every day avoiding any nasty crashes or mechanicals.  We’d each put each other under pressure to ride hard when it mattered like to get on a group or at the start or when we were been chased down.  We each had our comfortable moments: I relaxed on most of the climbs, Nizaam relaxed on the descents so neither were ever under stress the whole day long unlike a lot of mixed teams we saw fade away through the week.  We both had ups and downs, good and bad moments, angry bits and stomach aching laughs but who doesn’t after that long riding together. 

We’d had our bikes stripped each night, our knots massaged out and we’d been fed fresh cooked healthy food 3 times a day in order to avoid the stomach bugs flying around when the immune system gets so low.  So really we couldn’t have done any better. 

 

Best fan club in Meerendal

Thank you so much to all the Asrin team:  Casper for looking after our machines so well, Kim for the massages and for someone to talk to when I needed a girly whine, Andrew for organizing us each day and Zac for all your delicious food and recipes!  Thank you also for Deon of Cyclefunatics for my Specialized Epic 29er, to Squirt Lube and of course to Asrin for all the support for the last two years as well as my folks and Nizaam’s family and friends who have been following, supporting and motivating us along the way. 

Next race: Joberg2c  April 24^th – 3^rd May