The one race i was really looking forward to and wanted to perform at. Well it didn't go as i would have wanted it to go purely because of not having the best lead up to the race, being sick.
On a very positive not i enjoyed the race so much and even finished in the top 20 after i was way down in 40th at a stage during the start of the race. I didn't start fast and just kept my own pace to see how felt and if i was able to race and take my heart rate up. During the first 10km's i rode and looked at the spectacular views and how beautiful the nature around me was. At about 20km's to go a spectator kindly told me that i was laying 26th. Those few words was such a moral booster that i decided the fun and games was over! Race time and off i went in pursuit of that Top 20. I past my coach and the first lady(i never want to get beaten by a lady in a race, ever!). Over the line was all smiles and lots of heavy breathing, but definitely worth all of that. On the results i later saw i made the top 20!
The route however was one of the most spectacular ones, with not one part of the race not being surrounded by beautiful scenery! The other amazing thing was of how my team mates performed! So many SA champs and nearly half of the A batch on the start line were red...wearing BMC kit! What a great day and weekend, with great friends staying with us and also having a good race.
One week school holiday - What to do?
Now that wasn't a hard question for me to answer. On the 27th of September i flew to Cape Town where i met my cousin's and went to Hermanus. I visited them till the Sunday and whilst there i did some crazy road rides. The one think that surprised me about the people there, is that they really do care about cyclist on the road and really make sure to go out of the way. The one cycle shop there is also typical Europe style with the bicycle shop on the bottom floor and the owner's house is on the top floor. The coffee in that little shop was absolutely delightful and easily could become a drug. Ha ha, the roads are very safe in and around Hermanus with really wide shoulders and also great views being surrounded by big high mountains. It is always so much fun to be with family and being able to ride your bicycle! I thank them for the great time and all the lekker Afrikaanse food.
I then went to Somerset West for the next six days till the Saturday when I'd fly back home. In Somerset i stayed with Malan and Rochelle Wykerd, who by the way have one of the nicest homes, full of animals and lots of hospitality! I worked at Malan's bicycle shop, called Cycle Addiction. It wasn't really a holiday from then on as I'd be in the shop, working and helping out with whatever i could. I enjoyed it so much and the amount of things i learnt is amazing.
On the Tuesday i went with Heino back to Hermanus where he had work to do. I then rode back from Hermanus to Somerset. It was the best road ride ever in my life so far and 104km's is definitely worth it if it is that beautiful.
I also went riding in Jonkershoek with Odie, an old friend from Malan and Johann. It was pouring but i still enjoyed it so much. The trails there is unbelievably fun and fast to ride, it is my new favourite place to ride in South Africa! The bicycle shop is the busiest i have ever see and been to. I thank the Cycle Addiction guys for a wonderful time and all the tips and things i learnt!
I made a lot of friends and will go back there whenever i have the chance!
Thanks to Johann my Coach for also sending me there.
Till my next adventure
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