Emily writes from the Turnberry Lodge in Oudtshoorn…

Just a week ago I was sitting in this very spot with a spinning head and sinusitis frantically typing up an assignment. I knew what it meant to be starting a mountain bike race. That I have done countless times before in a number of different crevices within our stunning country. I also knew that the Cape Pioneer Trek was longer and tougher than anything I had ever attempted before. I was disgruntled about being sick and my coach told me I shouldn’t race. But that was not something I was willing to hear… Even from the only person I really listen to!

So the race began… the prologue saw me log an average heart rate of 194bpm and a few max peaks (206bpm) in 52mis of racing. After the first day I reached the finish line shell shocked after having raced harder than I thought was even possible for 103km’s. And then I thought I was tired. Well my definition of exhaustion has changed 🙂

This week has held experiences that I will keep with me for the rest of my life. I consider myself truly blessed and hugely privileged to have experienced my first stage race with such a supportive and patient partner. Derek really made this experience an awesome one for me. It has been the most fantastic week of my life! I have seen parts of this stunning country that no words can do justice to, met and spent time with people I look up to and done a whole lot of the thing I love most… Riding my bicycle 🙂