Pity the stage was 120km.

We left Tulbagh knowing that the first 40km to WP1 (water point) was long gravel roads and fast jeep track. Sitting behind a lead rider the slipstream offers up to 25% advantage in effort required so bunch riding was going to be critical to maintain our placing. It took some really hard riding just to shelter in the group and at WP1 we were only 11 minutes off the leaders. This probably sowed the seeds the of the problems we were to experience later.

A stiff loose to rocky climb up behind Kluitjies Kraal provided a bit of water and nurtured the budding problem. Apart from being steep, the loose rocks require extra effort to keep the momentum up and the bike moving forward. And it makes for a very narrow line which you have keep to so balance and direction is also important. The rider in front is invariably less competent than you are (by your reckoning anyway) and when they go off line and/ or get bumped to a stop by a rock, you have to stop too. Argh! From time to time you get bumped to a halt too but then it was not a lack of competence. Just bad luck!

After the descent we hit gravel road all the way to the tar of Bainskloof. This was taken at a reasonable pace behind an ill Yolande de Villiers who was sheparded by her partner Johan Labuschagne. The tar up and over Bainskloof didn’t suit Jayson even though we took it at a fairly relaxed pace. Probably the fertilizer to our blossoming collapse.

Swooping singletrack saw us through to WP3 where a crowd of spectators were gathered enjoying the public holiday. Laura came through with the kids so it was great to see her with Michael and Jane. A quick hullo and we were off again.

Not for long though! About 3 km further on our little bud was a full grown raging Venus flytrap. Poor Jayson. On reflection he puts it down to not being able to eat, or remember to eat, during the frenetic first few hours so be experienced a full blown “bonk”. Cycling speak for the wheels coming off physically. Just as we were starting up the last major climb of the day.

At the time we were in a pine plantation so we sat in the shade for a while. after about 5 mins he climbed back on the bike and cycling another, oh, 10 meters or so before climbing off again. After 4 days of intense cycling, The Cyclist (see http://www.everybitcount.com) was floored.

After a while we cycled on slowly and as with all good things, the climb came to an end. Near the top we stopped at a small stream and filled our bottles with the Capes finest mountain water and poured a whole lot more over or heads. The renowned single-track descent put a smile back on his face and a spring back in his pedal strokes. One more effort up and over the last bump and we were screaming down the gravel roads to the finish in Wellington.

Like all good speeches we had a good beginning and a good ending. It was just a bit in the middle where we went off script and had to ad lib.

Some of the truly incredible photography by a different set of professionals!