Well where to start! My head is in a spin over the last few days at Sani2C. For those who do not know about the race you can read about it at www.sani2c.co.za. What an amazing race - I am still yet to find another race that comes close to it in South Africa or elsewhere...

We departed Johannesburg leisurely on Wednesday morning and took a drive up to Underberg, where we were staying in a mates house in Himeville. The drive down did highlight that there had been a lot of rain in the area and did support the race organisers messages that the course has had a lot of rain over the prior weeks. The traditional registration was organised well (as always) and it was soon back to Himeville for a braai and a night of organising and packing. By 9pm the house was quiet (except for the rain falling on the roof :0 ) and we were all tucked in, wondering if we had done the right amount of training!

We woke up at 5am to a clearing sky whick was to bode well for the days riding. We all soon headed out on the district roads - what amazing landscape! It was a pity that I did not have a camera with me to capture the scenary along the route. We handled the rides on each day as training rides so did not push it at all - which was great as it allowed us to appreciate the sights and sounds. We rolled into McKensie Club just over 4,5 hrs later. But what a day! The single track - although slightly sticky waas very ridable and what fun.

Day 2 was an early start - but not as early as some idiots who felt it necessary to get up at 4am WTF! Cannot understand some people. Anyway another glorious day - it was to be a long day - just under a 100km with 2200m of climbing. Myself and my partner rode very well - managing the HR all the way through the ride with a couple of spikes for the bigger hills. But compared to last year I really enjoyed the day (none of it being a blur like previous years!) The first 20km of the ride is just unbelievable - I am going to try and get some stills off my video camera - but the sights of the single track were just mind-blowing. A muddy section took its toll on most of the mid-field riders - but nothing too serious. The day ended in just under 8 hours and both myself and my partner were feeling strong. It rainded most of the night which did not bode well for day 3.

Clear skies for day 3 set up a perfect day for riding. The temperature was cooler that the previous days and the riding was fast all the way through to the finish. Again managing the HR was the objective - however there was one section that I through the text book out the window. Up the one heartbreak hill - I was determined not to walk! I managed to ride all the way up to the to of Vernon Crookes nature reserve - but at a cost of a rather high HR! In the end we managed to finish under 4 hours in a group which it really what the spirit of the event is all about. Next year I might contemplate racing this event!



Highlights of the event:
All the amazing single track through the forests
The purpose-built tracks on Day 2 - just sublime!
The floating bridges on both Day 1 and Day 3 (the ending route of Day 3 MUCH better) (Thanks Mandy for these pics;)
Conquering the hills on Day 2 and Day 3
Feeling strong at the end of every day - The base training has certainly paid off)
The food - at lunch and the evening....
The water-points - most events could learn from these guys.
The comradrie of the other cyclists and the group which we travelled with.

All in all - A great week. For the first time I felt 'ready' for the Cape Epic, as ready as one can be. It was a great opportunity to dry run what to pack and how to travel. I will be going much lighter for Epic as those boxes do get heavier! Certainly heading into Monday on a high... 16hrs planned for this week, but might scale that down and rather do some high intensity runs during the week rather.

Not much time left for the training now - the focus on the next 3 weeks will be to eat right, rest well and prepare the body and mind.