by El Kapitein (aka Mark Segers)
It all started a year ago, on 19th August 2018, as we were traveling back on the bus being entertained by the Locke brothers.
In my wisdom and stupidity, I came to realise closer to our departure, how difficult a travel agents’ job can be…..but that story will never be published.
En-route back I booked 25 beds at the Royal Hotel in Willowmore and those beds sold faster than any Cape Epic event – within minutes those beds were snatched up.
Our preparation had been awesome, the training schedule was spot on, very different to the team before us that seemed to be behind schedule.
The support from loved ones, back up drivers, awesome watering points and our famous Pom Pom ladies motivated us even more, we the DOC family were ready for this expedition into the unknown for some.
Every day we were pursuing Accuweather seeing if the conditions would be on our side and every day it told the same story. Head wind, cold and even a possibility of rain.
2 years ago we drove through snow on our way to Willowmore, this year there was a berg wind and the temperature was over 30 degrees but what follows a berg wind the following day. Yip, you guessed right, a little cold front.
By late Friday afternoon, all 11 DOC teams had registered, boxes packed, we were ready for this journey.
Saturday morning dawned and the clouds loomed overhead with a gentle breeze ruffling the leaves. I stood at the fire knowing what loomed ahead of us, it was a day that nature would be our master.
That nervous giggle could be heard through the corridors of the old Royal hotel, boxes been packed and taken to the trucks that would deliver them at WP2 and WP3. Had you packed correctly was always in the back of your mind.
Oh well, too late now, we made sure we were fairly early into the starting gates as the DOC family all gathered together. Last minute checks and the count down began. 5…4…3..2..1 away you go.
As we headed down the main street of Willowmore, we could hear our supporters from miles away. What a lekker feeling!
START TO WP1
My front brakes were binding slightly so at 15kms we stopped and removed them but huge effort had gone into staying with the group as we climbed and climbed and climbed some more. That route profile is a load of lies.
The wind was relentless, making sure that groups were been formed and the weaker riders protected…
WATCH THIS SPACE AND READ MORE IN NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER. Yes, this is a ploy to check that you actually do read the Newsletter ?
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