As I had feared the stage started at a FURIOUS pace. And we were really struggling to hang on. There was however soon a split and I thought we'd settled nicely into a swiftly moving bunch. It had rained a bit overnight so it wasn't as dusty as previous days.
Unfortunately the start proved a bit much and the previous days niggles got a bit much and we BLEW after only about 10k. This was a major disaster! Imagine having to put yourself through 120k's feeling that you didn't have the strength to do another one! And then chuck in a few mountains in between (2000m). Most people would have quit!!
Fortunately we hung in there. Funny thing is it was really one of the nicest stages (scenery, surface, climbs etc)! We finished just under 7hrs but dropped us back a few spots to 111th. Back to C batch. I'll be honest that this is a big disappointment to me but probably the best thing for preserving the physical resources of our team!
Tomorrow of to Grabouw. A shorter stage (only 91k's), but I have no doubt it will be challenging!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Stage 5 (Swellendam)
An entirely forgettable day. The stage had absolutely no redeeming features. It was long (146km), the surfaces were crap, and there was really no scenery worth raving about! Although we did see a HUGE baboon who had attracted a lot of attention from a bunch of photographers. Again we rode with Dirk and Eppie and we finished in just over 7hrs. The rest of the field also took major shots and we jumped a whole bunch of place to 106th overall. The major significance of this is that we get to start in the B seeded batch. This is always a big goal for me. So I'm best pleased! It may however not be all good. Its going to mean a start at a significantly higher tempo.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Stage 4 (Riversdale to Swellendam)
Stage 4 lived up to the reputation of being a toughy. Although for once I felt quite good on stage 4. We got away quite nicely, again with Dirk and Nico shadowing us. I suppose I'd do exactly the same. Protect my 2 odd minute lead while at the same time have another "familiar" team to help share the work load. My mind has been working overtime to come up with a strategy as to how to shake them. If it is at all possible. They both look pretty perky.
But I digress. After a nice start, the rest of the Upington contingent caught up to us after an hour or so. They also seemed keen to ride along. Which is fine - but - they talk a lot of shit and it really is more difficult to manage a big bunch. The water points are a good example (there are 3 each day). If we all stop together, by the time each bloke has gone about his business we've wasted a lot of time. And after all we're here to get this thing done as quickly as possible. We're not here for a haircut. And thats what happened. We had a quick stop and by the time the rest of them had finished peeing etc, we were 5 min down the road. Incidently it was after this stop that I reached my max speed so far this week. 78km/h! Yeeeeehah.
The rest of the day went fairly well. Some hideously steep climbs, but are often worth it when you consider the view. But nice views are one thing, but there really isn't a nicer view than the finish line after a tough day.
But I digress. After a nice start, the rest of the Upington contingent caught up to us after an hour or so. They also seemed keen to ride along. Which is fine - but - they talk a lot of shit and it really is more difficult to manage a big bunch. The water points are a good example (there are 3 each day). If we all stop together, by the time each bloke has gone about his business we've wasted a lot of time. And after all we're here to get this thing done as quickly as possible. We're not here for a haircut. And thats what happened. We had a quick stop and by the time the rest of them had finished peeing etc, we were 5 min down the road. Incidently it was after this stop that I reached my max speed so far this week. 78km/h! Yeeeeehah.
The rest of the day went fairly well. Some hideously steep climbs, but are often worth it when you consider the view. But nice views are one thing, but there really isn't a nicer view than the finish line after a tough day.
Stage 3 (Caltizdorp to Riversdale)
As I expected turned out to be a fairly easy (if there is such a thing)stage. Rode all way with Dirk and Nico and eventually finished in 5hr47. Those 2 are being quite shrewd in that they are sticking to us like shit on a blanket protecting the 2 odd minute lead they have. The stage was one by my tip to win overall, Raul Paulisson and Jakob Fugelsang. Burry Stander withdrew with an ITB problem. Quite a blow with them in Yellow and looking good.
Had a minor fall, actually more like a topple, bruising my hip and "anoos". Mark was starting to feel better. Although he struggled a bit in the beginning, he came through with his usual strength towards the end.
Our accommodation in Riversdale was giant F up. The Ivan we'd booked with had given our rooms away and left us with a problem of awesome proportions.
Fortunately one of Gawies mates came to our rescue and organised us something in the school hostel. Bit of deja vu being in a school hostel again. Anything to stay out of those tents!
Tommorrow, the fourth stage, is traditionally the toughest stage. Both from a mental and route profile point of view. Oh well as old Faffa says "die hele ding moet in"
Had a minor fall, actually more like a topple, bruising my hip and "anoos". Mark was starting to feel better. Although he struggled a bit in the beginning, he came through with his usual strength towards the end.
Our accommodation in Riversdale was giant F up. The Ivan we'd booked with had given our rooms away and left us with a problem of awesome proportions.
Fortunately one of Gawies mates came to our rescue and organised us something in the school hostel. Bit of deja vu being in a school hostel again. Anything to stay out of those tents!
Tommorrow, the fourth stage, is traditionally the toughest stage. Both from a mental and route profile point of view. Oh well as old Faffa says "die hele ding moet in"
Monday, March 31, 2008
Stage 2 Saasveld (George to Calitzdorp)
Stage started at a furious pace. A cyling peloton seems to have a mind of its own. Unfortunately its not a very bright one. Mark was showing his age early and we got dropped on Montagu pass.:-) He had picked up a heavy crate of grapes the week before and hurt his back. This came back to haunt him on the pass and the poor guy suffered like a dog with a really sore back. Fortunately he carries a small pharmacy in his back pocket and we soon had him high on drugs but cycling with less discomfort. Was nice seeing some enthusiastic Upington supporters at the top of Montagu Pass. Was able to leave my vest with them and get some sunblock.
The majority of the day passed quite quickly with some nice riding. There was however a sting in the tale. A real bitch of a climb in some really hot weather. My polar measured it at 39deg. Had some blokes strolling around on the mountain, their partners pushing the bikes seeing pink elephants. Took us 1hr15 after much wailing and gnashing of teeth to reach the top. unfortunately the descent off the top was even worse. What a nightmare!!! Loose stones scarily steep cement sections sharp hairpins you name it! Fortunately we made it off in one piece. Heard of quite a few brake failures and some spectacular crashes. In fact the whole Calitzdorp hospital was full of casualties.
Rumour has it that already 40 teams have had enough.
Well tomorrow its off to Riversdale. Traditionally an easier day and a fun stopover. (The school kids ask you for your autograph)
The majority of the day passed quite quickly with some nice riding. There was however a sting in the tale. A real bitch of a climb in some really hot weather. My polar measured it at 39deg. Had some blokes strolling around on the mountain, their partners pushing the bikes seeing pink elephants. Took us 1hr15 after much wailing and gnashing of teeth to reach the top. unfortunately the descent off the top was even worse. What a nightmare!!! Loose stones scarily steep cement sections sharp hairpins you name it! Fortunately we made it off in one piece. Heard of quite a few brake failures and some spectacular crashes. In fact the whole Calitzdorp hospital was full of casualties.
Rumour has it that already 40 teams have had enough.
Well tomorrow its off to Riversdale. Traditionally an easier day and a fun stopover. (The school kids ask you for your autograph)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Tracking us in Real Time on the Internet
Remember, thanks to our sportstrack transmitter you can track in "real time" on the internet as we progress along the stage. Just click on the link to the right. We start at 7am everyday. So if you log on at anytime after that you can follow us on a google earth map. Zoom in using the +/- buttons on the top left. The "map" that we are tracked on can also be changed. Click on the tabs at the top of the screen. ie street or hybrid etc.
Stage 1 (Knysna to George)
Today was a good day. Not an easy day but a good day. Mark and I wanted to put in a good effort and see how things panned out. Things went well and we finished the 124.7km in 6hr42min. I'll be honest the 3100m of climbing was getting a bit much towards the end.
Had a bit of a giggle at one stage, we'd just come round a sharpish bend on a nice downhill just in time to see Eppie and bike coming out the bush, looking very sheepish. Not long after that, had some plonker get thrown by his bike on a high speed descent right in front of me. Looked quite dramatic and I was quite lucky I didn't go down as well. Wasn't sticking around to see if he was OK. Mark's response words after that were "did you see that yellow bi-plane". Missed the whole thing!
For the record Burry and Christoph took the stage in just over 4hr30. Kevin and David George got caned and dropped out of the top 10.
Just had a massage from Martie which will hopefully sort my problems before they become an issue.
Some photo's from before and after the stage. Didn't get a chance for any pictures during today's stage. Maybe tomorrow!
Had a bit of a giggle at one stage, we'd just come round a sharpish bend on a nice downhill just in time to see Eppie and bike coming out the bush, looking very sheepish. Not long after that, had some plonker get thrown by his bike on a high speed descent right in front of me. Looked quite dramatic and I was quite lucky I didn't go down as well. Wasn't sticking around to see if he was OK. Mark's response words after that were "did you see that yellow bi-plane". Missed the whole thing!
For the record Burry and Christoph took the stage in just over 4hr30. Kevin and David George got caned and dropped out of the top 10.
Just had a massage from Martie which will hopefully sort my problems before they become an issue.
Some photo's from before and after the stage. Didn't get a chance for any pictures during today's stage. Maybe tomorrow!
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