Countdown

Today was my last big ride before Sani2C. Conventional wisdom dictates that I should have been tapering for a week by now, but after Sani2C there are other fish to fry and with Tulbagh being labelled the toughest Epic venue to date I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do the race.
It all started rather sedately behind the pace car. Soon we ascended a mountain slope to the west of Saronsberg. The views must be spectacular on a regular day, but this morning the mist was blanketing us for the first 3 hours, keeping temperatures cool. Perfect cycling weather. We reached the first water point just after the king of the mountain banners thinking that the big climb was now behind us. Another 5 km and a few sadistic forays up and down orchards and olive groves and we were moving down the mountain at breakneck speed. The descent was great fun with every turn being an off camber turn. All the while we were circumventing Saronsberg in an anti-clockwise direction, keeping it in our sights in the distance. A few farm roads laced with non-technical single track took us past 2 water points and ascending the mountains east of Tulbagh. We were doing a 90deg turn every 500 meters with short steep climbs and short descents sapping our energy all the while. The Single track sections taking us down into the valley. We realized that the route was going to be much longer than the advertised 75 km and rode a comfortable pace to cross the finish line 84km and 5h43m later.
A really tough day out on the bike, but just reward for the drive and the entry fee.
The route was well marked and marshaled. A good addition would have been markers indicating how many km's were left. The water points were stocked with fruit and energy drinks. I'll definitely be back for more of what this valley and the surrounding mountains can offer.