Today was the descent into the Umkomaas Valley which is considered the best single track in South Africa - we weren't disappointed. The views were spectacular although the corners were sketchy and if you got it wrong it was a long way down!
After the first 40km the climbing started - we were well placed within the first 10 groups but soon started to fade. Ian was faltering like the Lions Super 15 hopes (the doctors say he has a fever and he has also had the "runs" which a number of people seem to have, so I hope it's not my doing after yesterdays hard ride). We were soon being overtaken by the teams we caned yesterday. To top things of Ian had mechanical issues where his chain kept coming off the front chainring, but also kept coming off the lower jockey wheel and we had to stop every km or so to sort out the bike. That said, we still came in a respectable 25 overall and 5th in our category - hats of to Ian who guts'ed it out for the day.
South Africa is a truly beautiful country and I would recommend this race highly as a way to see the place. We had a number of river crossings (I slipped on my arse on one of them), hard climbs, white knuckle descents and a hell of a lot of fun.
Tomorrow it's into Scottburgh - it's going to be an emotional entrance given this where I had the best holidays of my life. Ian and I will be taking it slow given the warning from the doctor o to push his heart rate up given the fever, so I am trying to even things up tonight with a couple of beers (Ian here....he is on his 7th to be precise.....although has now moved own to Klippies and Coke......showing his Dutchie roots).
It's been an excellent race with a great mate. Thanks to our wives who have put up with all our training and bitching about sore legs, lack of sleep and general grumpiness - we had a ball (but don't for one moment think we are going to up the chores around the house).
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