Attakwaaskloof MTB

For anyone out there thinking about doing a tough race, pencil this one in. Its one of the hardest days I have had on the saddle. I like to compare myself to a cowboy riding over terrain on some mission, not sure why maybe its the kid thing or it just helps the mind whittle away them miles, but this way definitely some cowboy terrain. 126 km from Oudsthoorn to Groot Brak which took me 7 hrs and 21 minutes landing me in 62 posi overall. I wanted to get a silver under seven hours and was on track but sometimes we write cheques our body just cant cash. It's a very painful and harrowing reminder that we are all human and no matter how much you do we all have a point where the body says, no sir !

The last 50 kms are a massive ball ache of constant rolling hills as we wound our way to the coast. Down a valley then back up again was enough to send me very close to suicide. Seriously, when someone says save some energy for the last 40kms you should listen, but hey whats life without a lesson learnt. Overall I would say the first three quarters were rad but they could find some tracks to help ease the boredom of rolling hills. My mind by that stage was thinking of the Spur burger I had passed up at water point 3 or 4. 

But riding through the Attakwaaskloof was awesome, tough jeep track with some rocky descents and stunning scenery to make it a proper ride. The miles are now under the belt and its not far from Epic time for me and my partner Anton. Its serious now, you dont want to go through that day after day. 

Until next year and my quest for the Sub Seven Silver...