The trail through the Kamanassie mountains has to be seen to be believed. We headed out for todays short 65km stage, leaving de Rust on a trail that becomes progressively more primitive – starting out as a narrow gravel road, then jeep track, through poor jeep track and eventually a track so rough it would be hors categorie in a 4×4 guide.

Water point 1 was just 24km away, with the track winding through a narrow valley and upward to a saddle concealing a hidden valley. 24km, probably 1h30 or so. But worse was to come…

From the saddle, down exceptionally (no really- exceptionally!) steep concrete strip tracks into next valley and across 9 rocky gullies, mostly with streams running through. Followed in not so short order by the slog of the day – up and over into the Little Karoo. Probably an hour of mostly hike -a-biking with occasional pedaling relief.

The last stretch over the Kamanassie

The descent was predictably rocky and rough. We rode carefully, but still a lot quicker than all of the teams who were at the top with us. Exhilarating maybe, but I am always anxious down these things. Nothing like skating at speed across pebble filled jeep track dodging the larger boulders all the while braking only when safe to do so – hopefully in time for the sharp turns!

And then the last 20km of ups and downs to the Louvain farm at the bottom of the Outeniqua range. Which is rather ominously completely wreathed in mist and covered on top with dark clouds.

Before the wheels came off…

The real story of today though is how Emily managed to push through the last 65km (not a typo) of the stage. It seems today was not her day – something that does happen during these long events. It could be my turn tomorrow. At one point about 6km from the end, Emily observed that she was rising as hard as she could and yet her heart rate was in her “long slow distance” training zone. For those not familiar with the term, read “really easy”.

It was a matter of survival. In the end we are safe, have no technical problems and are set for the next two days. When asked where we finished today, I did not mention our placing or our ride time, I simply pointed to the finishing arch and said “Just there”.