by El Kapitein, Mark Segers
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…
We were placed in the hurt box from the first km and the wind was relentless all the way to WP1, as stated above even when you were in the group that wind seemed to find a way off hunting you out.
Once we had entered the valley the route profile became more realistic and we were able to put down the hammer a little helping a large group that had gathered all the way to WP1.
WP1, awesome rooster brood sandwiches, I behaved, one in either hand and 2 in the back pockets J it was lekker to see other faces there like team Fatties and Moannies although not one of those race snakes fall in that category and some of the Bliksems rather tanned.
Other Doc’s had also rolled in as we were leaving, and then yip you guessed it a small brutal climb before you descended into the valley of absolute beauty, the road a little ruttered but in far better condition than 3 years ago and being a rep for so many years with a photographic memory just for tracks, I could tell my team what they could expect around every corner. J
Team F&M caught us with the help of Shaun and Grant Dreyer who had become formidable riders and shed huge kilo’s prior to the race, we were hanging on and at 65kms the blady Rottvillier(Cramp) before you really believe I was attacked by a dog bit me I had to pull out of the train and watched as they disappeared into the horizon.
My heart was saddened as I knew that this was going to hurt for Kms but I sort of knew how to ride with cramp and bare the pain at the same time but I felt like I had let the team down.
WP 2, I took my bike straight to CycleWorx so that they could replace the brake pads as I didn’t feel like descending down Baviaans Back with no front brakes, they took my bike and advised that I should go feast at the tables and it would be ready when I returned, what a pleasure to deal with such a pleasant and professional team. You Guys Rock. Mary Ann, please send a big thank you to your mate in Sedgefield.
WP2-WP3
WP 2 had been moved 10kms back to the 93km mark which allowed the legs to warm up before the long gentle climb before you enter the reserve, now to try and see if you could find the ghosts that wonder around, The cape Buffalo and the notorious Rhino that hunt MTB’s by day.
We only spotted the droppings and a few of our very close relatives in the reserve, and then it loomed up ahead of us, yes our first proper climb(Baviaans Back) the cramps were still biting but were semi under control, slowly we wound our way to the top, knowing that on the other side would be an awesome reward awaiting us. The roadie amongst us killed us on the hills but did we take our revenge going down, we referred to him as Miss daisy and he referred to it as Erik’s way. J he did get better as we rode further into the journey.
WP 3, boerewors, sosatties, and all the lekker stuff that would fuel us in order to get up the fangs, The might MAC(Mother off all Climbs), first we had to get through Langwater which is about a 100m from the exit off WP3, we rode a little and walked a little not tooooooo bad but wet feet.
Then, then, then, the climbing started, 25kms of absolute climbing pleasure if you weigh as much as I eat, the fangs bit sicking their Dracula like teeth into the your legs the pain filling your soul, oh what a lot of bullshit just grind your way to the top which we did.
Then we hit the big Mac and my legs were feeling ok so I thought but I was hurting, I got off the bike at some stage and just leaned on it wondering WTF, Shaun had stayed with me while the roadie was blitzing it up the hill waiting for the Dilapidated Old Cronie.
I decided to get onto the bike, what a fatal mistake because that Rotty bit me properly this time and caused me to fall onto the concrete strips, I had a sense of humour failure of note, swore like a trooper, through a stone that might still be flying as I write this article and then just lay there and got back my composure.
I got up dusted myself off and apologised to Shaun for my bad behaviour, continued to walk, gathered my strength and the dignity I had lost got on my bike and rode to the top very slowly, so slowly that the mozzies were flying between my spokes.
We reached the top as the sun went down, 1h30 minutes slower than what we, had intended, I rode into WP 4 a battered rider slowly put my bike down and limped over to the friendly faces that were pouring hot soup and fresh bread my manner from heaven.
We stood at the fire and slowly regained our motivation for the next leg of the journey, 3 soups later and warm clothing feeling hell of a lot better we attacked the big dipper with a new restored strength, yip and you guessed it we had to wait for Mr. Erik doing it his way.
WP 4 to the End to be published in the next article.
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