Cyclists parking at Reitz.
I have 4% power on my laptop, so this must be quick.
Today was hard. About 20km in, as we turned off one gravel road onto another, Nic cut a corner that he thought was 'a patch of grass'. It looked more like a boulder field, and it was, and he was tossed up into the air and onto his back, ripping off his back wheel, and whipping his noggin onto the floor.
Expect some interesting editorial decisions in the Mail & Guardian the week after next.
Kidding. He seems lucid. With whiplash, but still managing to ride another 100km after that crash. Hopefully he can stand up in the morning.
He looks healthy right now.
We skirted around the edge of the escarpment for a few kilometres overlooking a view I don't think many people see.
I tried whooping in delight. Everyone else grunted, but I think they were loving it.
Then we raced several kilometres of narrow steep track down the escarpment.
Later in the day, having climbed Spioenkop, passing Anglo-Boer War graves – remembering a nasty battle – we raced another 30 minutes or so down another windy, fast little path – lording over an excruciatingly beautiful view. Spioenkop Dam.
Snow-capped Drakensberg. Rocky bushveld and thorny acacias.
Everything in between and after was really hard, especially on the back of 130km yesterday.
With the prospect of 98km tomorrow … and on and on. We passed halfway today. The queue for ice-cream after supper was vicious.
Nerves are fraying. Nic and I are sitting 77th overall, but let's see how our bones, muscles and minds hold out over the next five days.
I'm looking forward to a swim in the sea, maybe a wave, at Scottburgh next weekend.
Can anyone recommend good board hire there?