Last night we were able to camp inside a “shed” at the campsite which was just as well as this morning it was pouring with rain and very cold!! I wasn’t too sure what to wear so tried to put on a few layers of different clothes! Everyone was looking really miserable at breakfast – it was just raining so hard! Ended up with my long pants and big rain jacket which is more waterproof. Badge out and head down to the road! All the racers are together. The road is just terrible – super soft, sandy, sloppy mud – everyone was just sliding all over the place. It was a lot of work and effort to go at even 10/12 kmph – and there is 30 km of it and it is still raining hard!
We are riding as a group but not trying to draft – every now and then someone will cross and you get sprayed. Of course I actually really enjoyed it – I thought it was hilarious! A lot hated it though and I could see why! A few tried it and then had to give up – many didn’t even try when they saw the conditions. We slipped and slid and I had a great time! Adam had a flat early on and disappeared. Don’t know how Paul coped with his skinny tyres! I just pressed on. Scott caught us and he was really flying and I was pleased as that meant he would be with us for the ride later! 1 km later and he snapped his chain. (I didn’t realize this till later so was still expecting him to catch us but of course he never showed) There was about 10 km when it did get slightly better and we nearly made it to 20 kmph – but then it got worse again! Jorg was now with us – so we were a group of 4. Then Jorg really sped up but I didn’t want to leave Dennis behind as he is good to have with you on the 90 km of road coming up later! Back on the road we reached a village with deep puddles for us to go splashing through to clean our bikes. I was really warm by now. Managed to bump the speed up despite the headwind and caught up with Jorg again – so the 4 of us back together. Jorg and Dennis are keen to press on and try to make up some time on Adam – and of course I too want a good time today and Paul – well Paul is just there!! The three of us rotate at the front a few times and I am just about to tell Paul he had to do his part as well when he went to the front. It was just about at the time when the wind really picked up and he realized he needed to be in the group with us. We were riding quickly – mainly because we wanted to get finished as quickly as possible. It was horrible! We hung out at lunch for about 20/30 minutes – it was really strange as there was all the food laid out and only the 4 of u sthere!! We ate pretty well – but soon got cold and so decided to set off again. I was now pleased that I had my long pants and jacket!! Dennis left first – he was going to “ride slow” – but it still seemed hard work catching him. But we did! After about 80 km we started to climb – a wicked hill – very steep – and now I am far too hot with all my gear on! I managed to pull off my jacket at the top – and then we stopped for a pee break so I could remove my long trousers!! Then we had a long descent into the canyon – but we could see the road ahead climbing up and out again! Quite daunting! It was a very tiring day – there was not much chatting going on! Getting close to the distance now and we crossed over a big bridge and saw a piece of flagging tape so take a right – but we are not totally convinced as there is usually more tape! But we zig zag along the dirt road and someone asks the question “Who wants this win?” Well I do and Dennis says he is not even going to challenge as I did more work today. But we are all tired. However none of us are really sure of this road. Then we get to a massive puddle and I can only see one set of truck tracks – so really not sure this is right! I am just about to turn round about half way through when Dennis shouts to keep going as he has seen a sign with the name of the town – Seeheim and sure enough we eventually see the Finish flag!! What a day!!
After putting our bikes away we went up some steps to the bar area – already full of riders who had come in on the truck!! I filled myself with coke, beer and burgers as a reward!! Len had got us a room – for myself and Dennis – which was great. The only problem is it was up a load of stairs – almost like a turret in a castle. Room was great though. It was still raining hard so we arranged for Steve and Adam to use up the floor space in the room – worked out well. After a shower and change of clothes we were just sitting and waiting for everyone to come in when we saw the cruiser come in with both Scott’s and Tori’s bikes on top! “Oh no!” We all know they are EFI with every chance now of making it to the Finish. But we find out that both bikes are broken – but that Steve had lent his to Scott and Tori had borrowed Christine’s. At least they are both still riding – although Scott had to take Steve’s shoes as well at several sizes too small!! And we were hoping the seat post was high enough!! Steve said he was in good spirits and great they are both still riding!!
There were a lot of people picked up in the mud this morning before even hitting the road! It was probably an hour after us that anyone else arrived – but then they slowly drifted in – everyone exhausted. Scott and Tori both arrived safely – and then had to set to to mend their bikes for tomorrow. Scott’s was a bit of a nightmare and Tori had to improvise a little as well. But they are ready to ride again tomorrow which is good – everyone is sharing parts and really helping each other out! A great spirit!!
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