Devin and his daughter
Ripping the Trails
Day one was my best day on the trails . The 8km climb during the first 10km was not nearly as bad as we anticipated . Good thing it comes so early on . We cruised through the first water point and as we rolled into the second water point at the scenic Idiom Wines , I caught some air , which was captured by Dev ’ s amazing photographer wife , Ronel . From there we hiked up the compulsory portage section of the Gantouw Pass . I felt so strong going up and waited for my partner at the top . Ever the gentleman , he helped a lady carry her bike up , along with his own . Thereafter I accelerated and took risks to overtake on the A-Z single tracks , but had to eat some humble pie when a slow cramp started just before the third water point .
Dev gave me two Rennies and once again we went ripping through the home sections around Eikenhof Dam , before the finish at Oak Valley . Our efforts were rewarded as we moved up from the ‘ I ’ start group on day one
to ‘ E ’ on day two . Later , over beers , I insisted that it was mind over matter and that I can use my brain to instruct my cramping away ( as my biokineticist suggested a few weeks earlier ), until Devin asked : “ Are you sure it wasn ’ t the Rennies ?” Hmmm …
The camp at Oak Valley is super organised . From the hydration options available , chocolate milk , Spur burgers , buffet style catering , fully stocked bar , free Wi-Fi , ablutions and tented accommodations , all one has to do is refresh , refuel and rest for the next day ’ s riding . Some riders even take the partying seriously with laughter and beats pumping well into the night ( okay 11-ish ). Earplugs are recommended ! And apparently my local bike shop owner and race mechanic joined in the party , because I was semipanicking as my bike had not been washed and lubed when I last checked on it . But at the start of day two , my bike was in showroom condition .
Ups and Downs
Day two is dubbed “ Fun Day ,” and it lived up to its reputation , with plenty of single track and playful sections along the only circular stage of the race through Oak Valley and Paul Cluver . Whereas Dev was getting stronger , I was starting to wear , but I managed to keep the pace . Then , finally , day three came along and it felt like I never really got out of bed . Flying down the mountain from Houw Hoek to Bot Rivier , it was as though my mind was two seconds behind on the trails . The inevitable crash came , which put my back out for the second time in as many weeks . This was the low-point for me . With my partner flying ahead and in a much better place than me , I entered that grinding zone where it feels like one isn ’ t making any progress , but you just must keep moving forward , inch by inch .
It was hot and dusty , but on any other ‘ rose-tinted wearing spectacles day ’ those are some sublime trails passing through Wildekrans Wine Farm , with powder covered , hard and fast berms . ( The farm manager himself is a legendary mountain biker , having completed a few Cape Epics .) Ronel and Sav , her loyal five-year old photographer ’ s assistant , were on hand once again to cheer us on , speeding to various places along the route to capture fantastic images . A professional photographer covering everything from weddings to family shoots , Ronel told me later that her real passion is sports photography , which comes through in the amazing images she took .
Finally , after grinding out the final long hill of the Karwyderskraal area , we were descending into the famous Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and our spirits kept lifting as we neared the ocean . Finishing at Onrus Caravan Park with the mandatory Windhoek Lager , shower , Spur burger and good friends was sublime . The three iterations of Wines2Whales are called the Adventure , Ride and Race , but the only way to describe it is an unforgettable experience . We will return . Thank you , Modern Athlete !
The three iterations of Wines2Whales are called the Adventure , Ride and Race , but the only way to describe it is an unforgettable experience
Catching air on day one
49