So, I have a few notes to put down before I write the race
report..
1.
The route for this Pioneer was beyond amazingly
beautiful, every single aspect of it was pure art, but alas, there is nothing
that the route planners can do with acts of God, so take it with a pinch of
salt and try figure what the days lesson may be, so, be it mud surfing of sorts,
or navigating bike without brakes… seeing through heavy rain.. figure it out
and make it work for you.
2.
The hardest ‘ pro’s ‘ to manage are the ones in
C/D/E/Z batches, forget Batch A,
re-routing here is harder than asking Sauser to wait 5 minutes while the course
markers re-route to minimize broken bones, these things happen, deal and dance
in the rain.
3.
Rain is unavoidable, there’s worse things that
could happen, especially considering it was not cold or windy, it was just warm
heavy showers.. like gale force winds, hail and cold with the rain or extreme
heat.. conditions are not always going to be perfect, I’m certain this is part
of the reason we take part in stage racing, if good weather was a given… it
would take away from the many stories you tell little people one day.. I mean
really, where else are you gonna tell a story of having run out of brakes,
slipping and sliding praying you don’t fall off a cliff as that would mean your
downhiller baby dream comes to an end???? Anyway, lets not jump the gun
4.
Lastly, You always hope for the best, after
training hard, you hope your body arrives for you, but sometimes things don’t
go according to plan, as you could ask the front line as the elite men’s podium
chopped and changed every day, or Phil buys and World XC Champ dreams, and when
things don’t happen according to plan, you work with what you have and hope for
the best, this was me, super tough week, just battled to put the power down,
but once you accept the best your body’s going to give you, you win, giving up
is never an option.
The Bridge Cape Pioneer Trek is not only amazing for the
gob-smacking single track, crazy mind-blowing downhills and the steepest never
ending climbs, it’s amazing for the Bridge and Dryland staff that make it extra
amazing. I can’t explain how everyone is there for you and will help as best
they can.. it’s crazy.. says a lot about the Spirit of the Pioneer, the amazing
villages, coming ‘home’ to warmth, good food, and amazing people.. yes.
Prologue -
#BuffelsBattle : Buffesdrift Game Lodge, Oudtshoorn (14.8Km – 354m ascent)
The Prologue route was awesome to say the least, this year
they added in little XC jump-offs as part of the route, it was amazing! Last
year we had chosen to not ride the route before Prologue day but the Bestmed
ASG racing snakes were not going to let me to my own, so Prologue was ridden
the Saturday, as the cold, knot-forming feeling dawned upon me on the 2 steep
climbs.. the reminder of how hard this stage race had been last year- much as I
enjoyed it.. panic.. yet somehow, riding
it on Sunday was much better.. the elephants had come out to wish us luck
again.. it was good fun.. and the 2 steep climbs didn’t = gasping for breath at
the top like a choked squirrel, this felt good and was an indicator for an
awesome week ahead!
Day 1 -
#RedStoneRumble : Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, Oudtshoorn to Calitzdorp High
school, Calitzdorp(105Km – 1768m ascent)
The excitement as we rode from our guest house to the start
at the Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, the start venue, nerves, realizing how strong
the field was. Prologue results were no indicator of anyone’s fitness really,
just how well you could ride technical single track.. and everyone could ride really well..that’s all.. panic.
Fast start out, in the rain, light rain, managing to sit a
good bunch until the mayhem… the sand in Oudtshoorn turns to clay in
the rain.. I wouldn’t know how else to describe it, even when you managed to
sit on your bike and pedal through it, about a km later you would hear rocks
hitting your frame.. from your wheel.. this was crazy.. stopping to look what
was going on was shock horror.. the mud had caked up so bad, it had collected
the stones as well, and mud was everywhere.. no rock/branch could move it
efficiently so my right glove was off permanently as I kept removing the mud,
using my water to release the chain.. so
everything could start working again.. oh this was a tough day.. then I tried
lifting my bike to put on my back to carry as riding was pointless..
PrincesssPina doesn’t weigh a lot.. I’m certain she was closer to weighing
30KG’s.. no one could lift their bikes the mud was so heavy.. as expected,
mechanical after mechanical spelt the royal mess up of what that day had been.. heart
broke for the front line as I passed 4 Pro
teams.. broken derailleurs.. broken chains.. punctures, plugging, bent rims,
single speeds… mechanicals was the order of the day for all– you just had to get in line
with your woes, better yet, get over it., manual gear shifting with that ‘clay’
stuck everywhere.. sigh.. this day was an adventure of note.
Rest of the day
was a blur, except for the awesome single track that had been added in.. the 2
Olympic rowers James and Matthew i think, came past me at about 8hr30 we had been out, this was cut off
time, they had also been plagued with mechanical after mechanical so there was
no point complaining. We arrived at the finish to find cut off had been
extended by another 2hours, to which later on at supper, James said
‘whatever delays the front line by 30 minutes, delays the back by about
2-2hr30.. and cut offs should be adjusted accordingly, The Bridge Team had,
perhaps this is the difference here. And on this day, I cared for nothing else
but the immense emotion of finishing.. getting to the village.. at one point it
had seemed impossible, wow.
Happy to be home, shower, eat, sleep, what a day!
Day 2 -
#SwartbergShowDown : Calitzdorp High School, Calitzdorp to Summit Swartberg
Mountain Pass, Prince Albert (92Km –
2760m ascent)
This was the big day I’d been waiting for a whole year, the
Swartberg Pass and I had a date and I looked forward to being the perfect date!
This climb had broken me the year before, but this time round, I was ready for
it.. excited for it if I may even!
Day started out lovely, it wasn’t raining, there was no
weird mud, just happiness on route.
The realization of what makes this stage the most prize worthy
is the mind games involved in bagging the stage, up to WP 1 all is good and
well with some beautiful climbs, dare I say so myself and amazingly fast
descents.. yes the descents were amazing, with that, I started looking forward
to the next climb, knowing 1. I won’t be disappointed, but 2. There would be a
crazy amazing downhill in store as a treat for all that work going up.. yes
this mentality was to work.
WP 1 stop, quick drink and off I was, beautiful descent,
crazy climb too, on climb, get a puncture- getting flatter as I kept riding
hoping to seal it, plugged with Ernie & his partner –bless,
they’d been amazing to ride with, managed to get done and off I was again.
The race only begins after WP 1, the climb, if you had burnt
too many matches in the clay-mud factory the day before, this would be evident
on this climb.. rolling hills between WP1 and 2.. then the last trek to WP3.. it
was quite interesting to ponder the front line tactics as I merrily rode,
rolling hills that actually was a never ending climb.. I would have paid good
money to see the team that arrived at the top of Swartberg pass first.. they
deserve every penny.. we all know the whole front line is strong enough.. I
think it was a question of who was the smartest.. anyway.
Past WP3, Diffie being awesome as usual,headed to the Pass,
on one of the descents, the sound no one wants to hear, rim on ground, I had a
serious flat, manage a stop and realize the plug we had plugged earlier had
come out, the plug had been hitting the frame so I guess it was to be expected,
fixed with Christo and his partner, bless.
Off they were, off I was, 300m past the ‘Swartberg Pass’
sign, as I powered with glee.. my pedal came off.. it was the weirdest thing
ever.. the pedal was still attached to the bottom of my shoe but not on the
bike.. trying to fix it with no luck, guy comes past saying if I ride inwards ill
manage.. right.. eventually Anton and Bridgitt coming past as I’m pushing
PrincessPina up the Pass with the 1 leg drills not working, he tries to fix it,
off they are, 2min later I slip off the pedal again.. and just like that, the
date I’d waited a whole year for, didn’t happen.. the Pass pitched, on time
too, I didn’t.. heart sore as I walked to the top.. arriving at the finish was
another emotional moment after trying to not get upset with self as I walked up
the Pass.. bitter sweet as Paul welcomed me to the finish.. another crazy day
on the bike.
Wine with Paul as I waited for Diffie to take me to the
village - the downhill from the top of the Pass to Prince Albert is actually
not all downhill, so one pedal wouldn’t do the trick. Perhaps I postpone my
date with this Pass to 2014.. I love this race.. and with that, was a new date
set.
Shower, food, source new pedals and cleats, converting back
to Shimano, I’m clearly not cool enough for Egg beaters, sleep.
Day 3 -
#MeiringsMagic : Zwartberg High school, Prince Albert to NG Church Grounds, De
Rust (107Km – 1543m ascent)
…hmm… this day.. this
day is pretty much a roadie stage.. my life.. leaving race village was straight
into wind and bunches forming.. and before I knew it.. just I and the wind.. oh
heaven it was horrible.. sigh.. 45/46 km’s to WP1 took me 3 odd hours.. boy I hated life right here.. passing WP1, into this canyon..
the morning had been so disastrous, I prayed I wouldn’t be by myself as the
mind wonders to very scary places in such happenings.. most majestic mountains
and the mass walk to the top as I found a stranger here as well, Sean.. this
was needed as we chatted to the top.. heart was desperate for a crazy.. we
finally arrived at the top as he asked me if I descend fast, I looked at him
and said, ‘yes I’ll go first, I need this’.. with this was the last I saw of
him until just before WP 3.. this downhill was amazing.. it got me smiling
again.. crazy massive rocks scattered
everywhere.. knots in tummy from uncertainty if I could ride some bits as I rampaged
on figuring we’ll see later if it was rideable or not, luckily they all were..
this was the most amazing part of the day.. the downhill was long, fast and
technical.. just how I love it, little bit on to the most crazy rock beds, no I
didn’t ride all of them.. fear of running outta talent and another puncture, I
couldn’t handle another one..
WP2 as I saw the international team that had been
on podium the night before.. something had to be seriously wrong, and off I
was, more road, open gravel roads.. joy.. a little of what felt like an
eternity, I was at WP3, Diffie.. meat.. I remember this.. from here, twas
single track up,, down, then road home.. with that I was inspired.. single
track was amazing.. there’s no feeling like that giggle that surprises your
inner as it breaks free.. into the most glorious smile filled with happiness..
this is what I’d come back for.. re-living this moment brings such happiness..
wow... and out onto the tar road I was.. 10km to home I think it was, little
bit of wind but lots of happiness..
Arriving at the finish, Beer with the
tandem, crazy talk, shower, food, massage, bed, I’d suffered.
Day 4 -
#KammanassieKanon : NG Church Grounds, De Rust to Louvain Guest Farm, Herold
(70Km – 1950m ascent)
Kammanassie.. this is a beautiful day of note.
Trek to WP1, lovely refreshments, and a… insane downhill..
hell of an amazing.. there’s no words to describe that downhill except, eyes
gorged out in anticipation to see how fast you can you can go and still have
control over the bike.. wow!
This was very well deserved considering up ahead
was quite a bit of walking.. attempting to ride some of it, walking most of it,
before I knew it, chasing the voices in the twisty Kammanassie forest, finding
irritated stragglers, from the sun and the walking, as you get to the top of the
1 mountain, looking across to see riders on the next mountain.. mind games,
mounting on PrincessPina.. the millionth realisation that walking sucks and
being on bike is amazing!
A young steep climb as we burn up all we have.. I loved
this day.. then we were at the top again after another young push.. then flat..
then mind blowing downhills.. I dare you to come tell me of any other stage
race that has downhills as thrilling as Pioneer downhills.. I live for these,
by now we know I only climb to descend like a crazy rocket.. amazing.. another
crazy one on this stone like thing oi.. who needs brakes!
Slow down through the
river, climbs, awesome rolling hills, Diffie (WP3) then the craziest last
trek.. into head wind, then into the mountain, up down up down up down.. this
was frustrating, my back wheel was flat and slipping everywhere, in all this I
knew I’m not stopping to fix it, Suunto says we a few Km’s from home yet these
up downs aren’t stopping.. we clearly
weren’t camping at the top of the mountain for the night, eventually going through
a gnarly descent, a young tumble at the bottom from an uncertainty on which
line to pick as I landed in push up position, in front of me was the most
beautiful forest.. Louvain race village is beautiful.. its ridiculously
beautiful.. the trees tell of a magical past as I rode through this heaven.. few
more pedals and I was on the grass, ahead, the finish line, all was forgiven,
Louvain is beautiful.
Day 5 -
#DevilsDescent : Louvain Guest Farm, Herold to Van Kervel High School, George(70km-
1698m ascent)
This was the bestest day ever.. everyone I’ve spoken to
rates this to have honestly been the best day. We woke to rain and rode the
whole day in the rain, some parts with heavier rain than others but a whole
lotta fun… yes, thee most amazing!
Off we were in the rain, into some awesome single track that
I’m certain would have been amazing had it been dry.. but, in the moment, live
it, love it, enjoy it, out onto a little grass climb, then biiiig climb which
was aided with walking.. like with all things, the suffering ended and a crazy
downhill came.. yes, smiles. Fast &
crazy then a mass climb.. it was big.. granny gear big, like all climbs here
and again, another treat waited in store for us.. this route was magical.. pure
art, what we were riding was insane.. you could see riders going up and down
while you were on your own section.. it was like a roller coaster ride..
thrilling downs, climbs not even considered as you chased the next happiness!!
Here, as PrincessPina and I were having a mass party, was the pulling of my
brakes, right down to the handlebars.. and no response.. no slowing down.. in
panic as I attempted to ‘pump’ the brakes aaand nothing… in this, all I could
picture was me and PrincessPina flying off a cliff and my downhiller kids dream
coming to an end in all this happiness.. chances were taken and managing to
keep calm and manoeuvre bike.. dreams were still intact, I in one piece as I stopped..
one of the riders, Max , coming past as I asked if he knew how to replace
brakes, luckily I had an extra pair in my bag, he was willing to help –
replacing brakes is a mission but we managed to get it done. Happiness meant I could
ride like a crazy again, lots of mud and rocks all rideable… I loved this day
probably more for the fact that it was all things that I loved in one.. mass
happiness.. I think there eventually was a brake crisis at the water points,
like day 1, the derailleur crisis, this day ended quickly, Meiring’s Pass a
beaut, even in the rain.. this whole day had been such a treat..
Diffie (WP3),
a re-route as the last bit of single track would be dangerous to ride, and
arriving in Herold, our accommodation for the night being the school hall with
the field filled with tents, wet.
Warm shower, food, more crazy talk, food, bed.. somehow, there
was more than 1 person snoring in our hall but everyone was so kak tired, there
was no bugging the tree choppers, bless!
Day 6 -
#ChandelierChampagne : Van Kervel School, George to Oudtshoorn High School,
Oudtshoorn(Was 91Km – 1584m ascent, became 68Km -896m ascent)
Today had to be cut short as we were riding to Oudtshoorn,
it had been raining, there was lots of single track and we all know the fear of
the clay happening from day 1, so, 96 km to 68Km, and 8.30am instead of
7.30am start- score!!!
Breakfast at this village was amazing.. they had a fruit
affair going and everything else you can imagine for breakfast, bless, this was
amazing.
The only thing that bugged me about a re-route was, we were
routed to my favourite.. gravel.. lots of it.. only it.. roadie stage.. my life…
Nice paced start and before we knew it, we were on Montagu
Pass.. hmm.. this Pass goes on for forever, you decide what forever is but all
I knew was to not rush it, an attempt to enjoy the pass was successful.. yes..
it’s a beaut.. steepest towards the top, last year I’d walked parts of this
pass, this year, I’d ridden to the top, and I was proud of self. The top dealt
dessert as usual, a fast downhill, rolling bits, WP1.. rest of the day a blur,
fun rolling hills as legs finally felt good, I’d been longing for this feeling
all week.. standing on the bigger climbs over.. body had been kind, and what a
way to finish.. lots more fun.. before I knew it.. WP3.. but no Diffie.. this
meant we weren’t far from the finish..
As quickly as it had all started.. it
was all over.. tar to the finish, the feeling of crossing that finish line so
surreal.. the finish was never a given.. I didn’t think I could.. and there it
was.. it had been a tough week of all
sorts.. thank heaven for the Finish line!
Castle Lite, Shower,
Pannekoeke, home.
Sad to have missed the finishers dinner but it'd been a long week and work awaited.. fun and games*
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