So I haven’t written in a while after a race... Probably
because my mind hasn’t been in the right head space.. Rooiberg National Series
(75.5Km, 1509m Ascent) was beyond horrid for me... I felt the gruelling hard
race factor had been taken just a little too far - with that in mind I decided
the next race would be about me and #PrincessPinarello having fun, finding our
love and remembering why it was that I’d been insanely in love with this crazy
sport.. and there it was.. found in Cullinan, the 1st leg of the
Nissan Trailseeker Series. Perhaps I’d become soft but.. Twas a little laugh..
then a grin.. and as the route went through climbs and river crossings… was the
most unexpected surprise as they took us through a place I would have assumed
to be a part of Mamelodi.. Kids playing in the street and cheering us on, the
complete change in scenery… in the middle of this all was the most gracious I’d
felt in a while as we rode through the dirt roads parting the houses.. I fell in
love.. The finish.. And a passion re-ignited!
Van Gaalens
(76km, 1426m)
.. The car read 0.5 degrees at 8am... we were in for a very
cold start, saw Fritz, the event organizer, and asked what today had in store
for us, he said ‘Zandi I won’t lie, it’s a tough day’.. he always says ‘no
you’ll be fine’ .. this had me in a panic of sorts!
… I loved this day.. I felt the best I’ve felt in a while,
with every climb, with every gruelling descent was a reminder of the reward
factor.. we climbed for what felt like forever, but the descents were so crazy,
I’m almost certain I wore out my brakes.. I haven’t ridden downhills like I
used to since my fall at Panorama Tour this year.. the realization and the
reality of what could happen had shaken my inner.. but this day had me more
playful.. I touched the surface of my no fear zone.. the rocks excited me.. I may
not have ridden all but heaven it’s all I needed to spike the incessant greed
that grows and grows.. the more gnarly.. the bigger the grin as my heart raced
in nervousness and excitement and the little wins that had me saying ‘nice one
Zans’ .. the joy was not only in the downhills but little wins in my climbing
too.. comparing how much I’d grown in the last 2 years.. The Oom Piet climb
section however left very little to be desired! The finish was sublime.. I’d
forgotten how beautiful Van Gaalens is as the race started at the ‘5Km to go’
mark.. We’re a funny bunch, but even more, suckers for amazing single track and
there it was .. yes..
The Advendurance team
has raised their game to a new level, I remember thinking Rooiberg reminded me
a little of 1 of the stages at Bridge Cape Pioneer.. and Van Gaalens did too..
we don’t have much in Joburg to train for stage races that require constant
hectic give from us, we simply don’t, and the last 2 national series were for
me, a good measure of where you’re going if aiming for stage races, well done
for an awesome event Advendurance!
The half marathon was tough as usual with a repeat of Oom
Piet climb causing a second death.. The sight of the Powasol bike wash on
Sunday was a reminder that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel ;)
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