Two words can adequately describe this race - hills and rocks. It a really awesome ride very well organised and attended. The route itself was really tough - longest 40kms I have ever done. I only fell a few times so at least this was a step in the right direction.
Greg and me before the start.
First hiccup of the race was even before the start, as you can see from the picture above, I had left my gloves in the car. I only noticed this when we were lining up for the start (as pictured below). Fortunately a good looking angel came to my rescue and lent me her spare gloves for the race. Thank you Marita, you are an absolute lifesaver.
Most of the 40km race was held in game reserves, the scenery was spectacular - I saw a few buck running in front of us and Greg also saw a herd of giraffes going for a run. The race was very eventfull with loads of falls and accidents - I think there were a few visits to the emergency ward after the race. Greg witnessed a bad one when a herd of buck ran into the girl riding in front of him knocking her off her bike (she should have listened to the race organizers and not rode with her Ipod on and maybe she would have heard them coming - but hey this is Africa), being the good Samaritan he is, he stayed with her for awhile to make sure she was ok.
It was really great to be riding out there with like minded people, the spirit of everybody around me was incredible during our collective suffering. Pictured below was one of the hardest hills I have yet to climb (thank god me Greg and me did Rooiberg so this did not phase us too much). It was not only very steep but there was loose gravel so your footing was very tricky.
All and all it was an incredible journey that I am really glad I completed, the tougher they get the tougher you get.....
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