Rock ‘n roll
The rolling came first today – the rocks came later. We had a very fast start, circling the streets of Greyton, which took all of 30 seconds, then headed off on a rolling district road (dirt road, for the uninitiated), setting a cracking pace. The route for today was 114km, with a ten hour cut-off. Early on we thought we would be back within seven hours – the kilometres clicked by and we had covered something like 30km in just over an hour, when the first hill struck. Still, it wasn’t a bad one, and we didn’t have to get off and push. It was a slow haul, but with a bit of cloud cover it remained relatively cool. Coming over the top, we had 400m drop in about 4km, rattling over rocks and potholes as if the devil was after us.
Down safely, we took up a cracking pace again over rolling hills, mostly jeep track and single track, all the way to the third water point. Only 18km to go, and we thought we would be able to boast that we didn’t have to push once. Well, we managed to ride up the penultimate climb, be the final one was our nemesis. We were off and pushing through rocks and sand, slithering all over the place as we tried to get our bodies and bikes over the top for the final descent back into Greyton.
The descent was fast and furious, but we were stopped short as we had to cross a river bed, strewn with boulders, about 150m wide. then it was back on the bikes and pedal like crazy for the final km. Eight and a half hours later, we were there, not that much worse for wear.
Not a memorable day – I heard my tubeless tyres puncture about half a dozen times, but the sealant works, so we didn’t have to stop once for them. That’s about it.
Now the interesting bit – a massage, a hamburger, dinner at a pizza parlour, and I bumped into Rob Taylor, a former Times colleague. Paul is trying to upload some pictures finally, but the media centre closes early tonight. Looks like a tough day tomorrow, and I need my beauty sleep. G’night.
March 25th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Can’t see you on the pics, though Paul says someone says you’re there. You’re doing great and you’ve finished 5 days! Only 3 more to go. xx
March 25th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Guys. You are still going well, the rolling stuff seems to suit both your training better than the walking! As this is “Hump day Wednesday” You are now on the homewood strech. Keep it going guys. And Pam didn’t mention your bum once today!!!!!!!!!
March 26th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Heroic efforts from both you guys.
As for the pain in your bums: as my Irish grandmother used to say: “Offer it up; and get on with it.”