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
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