Horrific news at the end of today’s stage. Apparently about 30 riders were attacked by swarms of bees that were probably disturbed by the helicopter. Most received multiple stings but a few riders were stung hundreds of times. The Doc confirmed 13 were airlifted out by the chopper and are hospitalized. I understand only one or two are really serious, but he expects everyone to be fine by the evening.

Elsie (whom I know from high mountains) was amongst them and her partner Colin is one of those in a serious condition. She commented that the affected riders were just lying in the veld unable to move. “A battlefield”. Elsie herself had about 30 stings.

One of the times I am glad I never seem to feature in the overhead footage!

Eleven Wise Monkeys in the start chute.

We rode strongly for the first hour and a half or so, staying with the lead group for about an hour. This probably put Emily in the rack though and the next couple of hours we survival mode – although at a pace many would be happy to be able to hold when feeling good!

Emily during the dark period…

About 2 hours and a couple of Marmite sandwiches at Water Point 2 saw a recovery of sorts and we rode more strongly. The terrain became quite rocky – of the kind that slashes tyres. Once again Emily demonstrated her superior descending in those conditions Watching her bike from the back was quite something – bouncing and whipping in a way that makes one wonder how it stays upright. But we made it.

A deep but short water crossing saw us in to the district road and 10km from the finish line. Riding strongly we caught and passed three teams only to be done in by a puncture. After all the really hazardous rocks, a wide, graded and almost swept district road did Emily’s rear tyre in. BUT. We were prepared. Whipping the pre-threaded plug tool off my stem saw the hole plugged in about 30 seconds. In the pocket – a bomb pre-inserted into the adaptor. Phssst. Good to go in less than a minute.

We chased hard. 92%-94%. We caught 2 teams quite quickly and then amazingly, the other 3 about 300m out. The last 200m are a really steep bit on tar for about 120m and then into the school grounds. A big effort and we passed them all and hit the line a minute ahead. 35th place in 4h49 and some change. 104km, 1720m ascent. Great effort.

The aftermath. Emily is still not entirely coherent…..