Perhaps a Little More Down Hill Than Up Hill - Sani2c - Day 3

We made it! Day 3 started as a wet day! It rained the in the evening and well into the morning. Getting ready was a bit of a mess, with mud, wet clothes and shoes. The start was over cast and misty and the course was muddy! Day 3 was all about getting to the sea, so we spent quite a lot of time going down hill, but as you know, there is always a uphill waiting for you. The route was 86 km, our time was over 5 hours, when we arrived at the Lagoon, they had build a long riding plant form over the water, very scary to ride over, as the bridge moves in the tide. We had a great finish on the Scottburgh beach. It started raining, we had to pickup all our kit in the rain, not so nice...

All in look, looking back, I can't believe that this one has been 'done and dusted'. On a personally note, I spent a lot of time enjoying Gods amazing creation! So beautiful! Also appreciating that He created to be able to do so many things, cycling one of them. Also how he created our bodies, every cell, every hair, and how every part functions with the other. We take Him for granted, and really need to live lives holy unto Him! On the route I would ask Him to protect me, not to fall. There where one or two moments where it was close, but he kept me for me falling.

As I think back over the last two years, I guess there was a stage when, I thought, 'this is it', that I would no be able to do things like this. I am amazed the The Lord has given me grace to carry on. To Him be the Glory!

Life is not all Down Hill - Sani2c Day 2

Today was the toughest day, 99km, something like 1700m climb, and over 2000m decent. We descended the Umkumaas Valley early this morning, the most amazing view! Once we go down to the river, we cycled along the river down stream, crossing it with a bridge that was constructed. We crossed many tributaries, experiencing the cold water, and lots of mud! After we descended the valley we had to climb up again. An Amazing day! Physically pushing to the limit. Total riding time over 7 and a quarter hours. A long time to be on my bike, with my heart rate in the upper limit. Fortunately no incidences, Praise The Lord! Nature is so amazing, and to experience it, one realizes the only God could do this, and he created us to be able to do this?

Tomorrow is the Fast decent down to Scottburgh, we believe there is a floating bridge that goes into the sea that we will have to cycle on, in the wave, scary, I'm leaving my phone in the bag tomorrow.

More Pics of Sani2c

We had a great dinner, and plan to have an early evening. Tomorrow is going to be a long hard day! The average time is expected to be around 7 hours. 99km and 1700m climb. If we can make it tomorrow then, we would have broken the back of the competition. We went for a massage this afternoon, hope it helps for tomorrow. Till later......

Sani Pics Day 1

Easy Does It!

Or perhaps not so easy. We finished day one of the Sani2c. Finishing time around 5 hours, my worst time, but under the circumstances a victory! The scenery was. Amazing! The it wads such nice warm day. The temp when we started was around 9 -11 degrees, max temps when up to 28 degrees. Very warm this afternoon. This part of Natal, is really beatifil!

Sani2C Registration

Today we drove down to Underberg, to the start of the Sani2C. On the way down we saw snow on the Drakensberg mountains close to Harrismith. We registered and received some cool jackets and cycling kit. We have been seeded in group B, and start at 8:10 tomorrow morning, hope not too cold, morning temps ate around 2-3 degrees. Hope to have a good ride!

From Justin Bieber to Time for Sani2C

Well the day has nearly come, we leave for the Sani2c tomorrow morning, and start cycling on Wednesday and finish on Friday. Seems like there might be rain expected. Cold and rain...not very nice.

Last sunday evening we went to the Justin Bieber concert with the girls, really was good, the girls loved it ....

I must say it has been touch and go. We have been training since the beginning of the year, for me it was like starting all over again, my mind seemed to remember what it was like flying up hills, except my body was some where else. The early mornings became darker and darker, unit we really could not see where we where cycling. Adriaan, my cycling buddy, spent quite a lot of time patiently waiting for me during our training sessions. A bump in the road was when I had to start a cycle of treatment, as started getting flu at the same time. I think this was my worst two weeks. I guess all I was worried about, was not being able to train.

But fortunately I'm over that, and I guess I'm ready to go. I think I'm taking the scenic route this time around, want to spend time enjoying the environment and beauty of nature. We cycle through the most amazing forest hills, rivers and valleys. Will keep you posted .....