BCBR Day 1 Cumberland

The day started at a much more leisurely pace than what I am used to for a stage race. With the whole day yesterday spent shipping 550 riders, about 100 crew, kit, equipment etc to Cumberland on the Island we had very little to do before the 9:30 start. The race started and we made good time on some gravel roads to the trail head. The first section had quite a few roots and we had to wait for a few over optimistic riders to move over. Once every one was rearranged the riding flowed much better and I was actually starting to have some fun. We had to negotiate a few drop offs, some roots and had to clear the odd log. The big climb was mostly at the very moderate gradient of about 5% and I took care to not go too hard. 

We reached the first water point (here it is called an Aid Station) and I was still feeling fresh. A quick splash and dash and I was off again at my diesel engine pace. Riders were all friendly, the volunteers and marshals were ringing their cow bells. It was hotting up on the climbs and with no breeze the humidity was starting to be a factor. I kept hydrated as best I could and kept grinding away.

The first enduro section greeted us with all her fury. I had very little time to drop my seatpost and soon I was simply holding on for dear life. Verticals, roots as thick as my upper leg, rocky stepped drops, seemingly impossible turns, other riders, tree branches... I have never done riding like this before and I was pouring all my focus and energy into my run. I mistook a large piece of bedrock for hardpack and was OTB looking for a safe place to land. On such short notice Air Traffic Control could only allocate a landing spot half on the lower lip of the offending bedrock and some undergrowth. I took it with the grace of a Rhino learning the Ballet. Fortunately I was able to walk away with a few minor bruises and a twisted shoulder. Bike ok. Kit ok. Reposition helmet and put away dirty sunglasses. Two riders passing and me hot on their wheels to finish the section. The single track climbs that took us to the second aid station felt like it took for ever. My shoulder was hurting and I was sweating profusely in the 35 degree heat combined with 80% humidity. 

I was in survival mode and the rooty trails with her steep steps and twisty turns was getting the better of me. I started to walk sections that was ridable a mere 2 hours ago and the distance just never seemed to get shorter. I was grinding away until we got to the second Enduro section. After spending a minute to compose myself I went for it. It took a lot of effort and one unscheduled recovery stop to get me through all 2km of the Enduro section. 

The last few kilometers dragged past and the short steep climbs on the single track took every last drop of energy I had left. The Cumberland fields eventually opened up before me and I limped across the timing mats in 5H45m and position 465 out of 550. 

A massage and dinner and coffee at the Wandering Moose got me in just the right mood to write about today's adventure. The sun is due to set in about 90 minutes and I am sure that the camp site will be considerably more quiet than last night. 

Results are available on http://bcbikerace.com/news-and-media/results

BCBR Day 0

D day... Zero hour... or like a good friend would say, time to Shake and Bake. We had a week to get rid of jet-lag, see the sites and try to switch off from work and everything else happening at home. Common sense prevailed and we decided to book a taxi to get the bike boxes and 4 large bags to the drop off. The Iranian taxi driver managed to get me to the drop off in 15 minutes with Rochelle and Werner following suite with the bikes. 

The race briefing was comprehensive and fun. It soon became very apparent that these guys understands the concept of "gees" (afrikaans for spirit or being able to create a good vibe). After the briefing we were loaded onto yellow school buses and transported to the ferry terminal. I am now writing my pre-race report in the air conditioned ferry lounge on deck number 5. 90 minutes of ferry and another 90 minutes per bus will get us to Cumberland where we will relax and get familiar with the racers and organizers before the racing starts tomorrow morning. I really can't wait to get going! 

All systems GO!

4 days to go. It is hard to believe that just over a year ago Werner and I were eagerly waiting for the entries to open for BCBikeRace with our credit cards in the one hand and our hand on the keyboard ready to submit on the other.
The journey has been a good one: Training rides at Eselfontein and other places, early morning commutes, local races, weekends in Greyton, long touring rides with friends... These are all the positives.
We have also reflect on the negatives: A stolen bike, injury and illness, work pressure, those long mornings on the Indoor Trainer / Spin bike at the gym and way too much money being spent on this trip.
It is all culminating in what promise to be an experience of a lifetime and I can't think of 2 better suited people to share the journey with me. I know Werner will enjoy the riding and the exploring and I hope that my wife gets to enjoy the experience of volunteering at the event and the hustle and bustle of New York afterwards.
For now we are packing bit by bit and working long days while we try to stay healthy and injury-free. Follow us on our blog to get updates on each day's riding as we will probably be off line for most of the trip.