Bike racing is not as straightforward as the casual spectator may think. Road bike racing is tactically an incredibly complicated team sport – even the individual time trial, believe it or not. Mountain biking is perhaps a little more straightforward where sheer strength and bike handling skills play more of a role. But where we are riding there are shadows of bike racing hovering all the time. And you need to deal with them. Constantly.

Just preparing for the day and getting to your bike without forgetting your helmet or gloves can be a challenge. At the Prologue (when was that?!?) we parked next to a team that was 2nd off the line. About 30 minutes to go, one guy says, “I’m not joking – I have left my helmet behind”. His partner, “You are kidding, right?” “Er, No!”

Then their is the weather. Only your basic kit, or armwarmers too. Perhaps a gillet (“jeelay” – sleeveless wind vest). Or even a raincoat? Fortune smiled on us though this this year and the weather has been exceptional. No rain, little to no wind. And, arguably, not overly hot either.

What do take along for to eat? How many gels (gooey energy sachets), how many bike bars. Do I need two our four sachets of energy drink powder to top up at the water stops. What if I miscalculate, or just forget to feed the machine? Will I avoid the shadowy bonk and be able to ride strongly to the finish?

Have I got all my spares that may be necessary for running repairs. Puncture repair “plugs”, muti-tool, tyre levers, spare tube, pump, spare chain links. Should I take a patch kit to use once I have had to put the tube in? Which of these shadows will cross my path today?

Not all problems can be fixed on the go!

Don’t forget the phone for emergencies. Is it charged? This year I have been using Endomondo to update our track in real time on the web so that Sarah can follow where we are and see more or less when we are approaching the end. Provided there is coverage this is an amazing free service. Back home it also allows me to be tracked on the bike as I train mostly alone. And mostly don’t know exactly where I will be when in case of need.

What we fit into those tight jersey pockets. Without warm or rain gear!

On stage 3, we headed out of Tulbagh on open roads. You are afraid of being dropped, of riding alone without a group to help break the wind. It means the difference between averaging over 30kph as against less than 25kph. A major difference. But to stay with the group can be really hard work. You start pleading with the shadow as it looms large, the groups thinning out, splintering and re-grouping. Just. A. Little. More. Please. I. Can. Do. This.

Spot the chap not in the race

Where is Jayson? I’m sure he was just behind me a minute ago? Did he slip past without me noticing? Should I wait up or should I ride ahead to find him? What if he had a problem and had to stop? The doubts flood your mind until, relieved, you spot him it the group. Stage 6 was less tense in this regard as we set out to ride a pace that we could sustain all all the way, and with a rising path for 30km bunch riding was not on the agenda.

See if you can spot Jayson in this group. He is there!

In general the parcours (fancy cycling speak for route) has been spectacular. At least that is what I have been told. But today I managed to experienceit for myself. Riding at a pace that did not require 100% concentration on the effort or the terrain, we soared on the middle slopes of the Du Toits Kloof mountains with views across Paarl to Paarl rock. Once across onto Simonsberg mountain, we wound our way up and up through the vineyards and then even higher, until we could see all the way back to Paarl and ahead to Franschoek. I cannot begin to describe the magnificence of the scene that unfolded around us. But if you do visit Thelema wine estate at the top of Helshoogte pass, and find a little used bricked farm road leading to a private viewpoint, you could reach our highest point and see for yourself.

What can I say…

Down into Idas Valley along the old Helshoogte pass, and then through a 50m drainage pipe under the new pass. Just large enough ride toward the tiny circle of light at the end. With the James Bond theme echoing loudly it felt as though we were part of the opening scenes of a 007 movie speeding along the barrel. All that was missing was silhouettes of naked girls ghosting across the screen. But if you closed your eye’s and squinted…… No, all you see is that damn shadow lurking, waiting.

We were just a little shaken, hardly stirred.

The doubts come flooding. Will my body hold out? Is there an injury lurking that Sarah wouldn’t be able to fix in time for the tomorrow? Can I keep up the concentration to be safe on the fast descent that’s coming down Bothma’s Kop? More importantly, will the other riders around do the same.

And then it was almost over. A super fast descent down a grassy slope into Stellenbosch, across the road and into the school grounds. Job done for today. Despite finishing only 164th today we managed to hang on to 90th place in the General Classification. Will we manage to break a top 100 GC at the end of tomorrow?

All good things come to an end.