The first stage started at Oudtshoorn High School. We left the town at 7:30 and rode in a neutral zone along the R62 for about 10 kms. Thereafter the pace remained civil for another 10 kms. The undulating hills were familiar territory from the 3 Oudtshoorn marathons done in years past. The pace was quick and the legs felt strong, so 2 hours later we rolled into the first water point feeling fresh. A tidy stop saw us on our way soon afterwards. Rietfontein held pleasant memories as this is a regular lunch stop for us whenever we are in Oudtshoorn. Simply great Lasagne and devine Bobotie...
Back to the race, soon after water point 1 we were tested with a long tough technical climb reaching grdients in excess of 30% in places. Disembarking and porting the bikes was very much the order of the day. Soon we were on our way to the Red Stone Hills around the Kruis River area. Water point 2 was a welcome sight and after another quick stop we left the gravel again for more low range 4x4 territory. The next 20 kms dragged out and it also started to heat up. It was a constant battle to keep riding. Elzaan and Theresa from the First Ascent ladies team cought up after we lost them after the neutral zone and we took turns riding on the front. They would out-climb us and we would pass them on the technical descents. Water point 3 was a welcome sight. We took a little longer here to simply get to grips with the next section to the finish. Katot gave me the assurance that the climbs were now done. He is a liar. The gravel climb was managable and soon we had Calitzdorp in our sights. In true Katot style we took the road less travelled, turning away from the R62 that would have taken us to Calitzdorp in 5 minutes on a round-the-mountain loop. Here on another crazy descent I cut my tyre and had to repair it. My partner didnt see me stop and I jogged up to the rise to make sure that I could stop him from continuing. I bombed the tyre with no success and thereafter I tried a foam product that was meant to set in the tube, much like the old perma-tubes we had as kids, but it failed as well. I was abou,t to stick a tube in when my partner produced a plugging kit. I successfully plugged my tyre for the very first time. Definately an item on my shopping list. A plug set.
The last 7 km into Calitzdorp was done with a fair amount of caution. I had images of the plug dislodging and having to either tube the tyre or walk the last few kms to Calitzdorp. The climb up to the school felt very long. A time of just over 7 hours was a job well done.
The race village buzz is great. The race is much more intemate than the bigger races on the calandar. With approximately 150 teams and a contingent of Solo riders, it feels like everybody knows everybody by now.
Time for supoer and race briefing, and a monster stage lurking tomorrow.
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