December Holidays...

On the 21st of December my family and I left for the Drakensberg. It was so exciting, because we haven't camped in our caravan for almost two years and we had to do all the packing all over again. We went to Mountain Splendour Eco-Resort and camped there till the 6th of January 2012. In our time there I met some really awesome people and kept on telling myself that camping is the best way to get really down to earth again. The riding spots there are absolutely awesome and the views are stunning! I did my base training there two years ago and it is one of the best places to do it in South Africa. Not only for mountain bikers, but also for road cyclists who I always meet on the roads there. I would go out in the morning and do a 3hour+ ride and then get back and chill with my friends. Most afternoons at 4o'clock there was a soccer game and everyone from the camp came and joined in...even the older dads.

This year I had the privilege of riding with some Canadian folks who also camped there.. I learnt a lot from them, especially as far as racing overseas is concerned and they told me more about a pro-cyclist's life once you have finished professional cycling. Adventure racing is what most Canadian cyclists do. They explained it to me and it really caught my attention and made me think about where I'm going with my cycling career and life. Adventure racing is really big overseas, how they explained it to me is really hard to put onto a computer in a digital way. Imagine being on a bicycle for 2 days and you haven't slept yet, you're all alone and all you have with you is a bicycle, a map and water. Now you have to make your way through the forest at day and night playing a guessing game. I get such an adrenaline rush when I just think of that type of racing!!

I learnt a lot at Mountain Splendour and can't wait to go back at the end of this year. The sad thing about camping is saying goodbye to you old and new friends. I really miss my mates. On to some more base training for now...

Cheers