Sunday saw the end of the three-day Tankwa Trek Mountain bike stage race. Speaking on my behalf, and I hope, Tony’s, we had a great time. Here is a list, in order of importance, what made the experience so good:

• A great riding partner with similar routines and riding strength
• No injuries (that we will own up to anyway)
• Kind weather that was not too hot or cold or windy for riding and didn’t rain while we were in the (not leak proof) tents
• New, exciting and challenging (but ride-able) routes.
• No mechanicals
• Great race village and laid back atmosphere

Made it to end of the final stage

I was listening to an interview with Chris Froome yesterday where he was discussing the Vuelta* 2014 which he entered after crashing out of The Tour**. One thing he said resonated with Tony and my experience at the Tankwa, “I knew I wasn’t at 100% fitness but I was determined to give a 100% of what I had.” It’s a cliché to say that when you get a bit fitter it doesn’t get any easier, you just go a bit faster, but it is spot on. Despite our points competition for the “unfittest team member” we turned out to be pretty similar in our fitness level and ended up riding as hard and as well as we could as a team. And it was brilliant!

But how did the last day unfold? Well, it started rather unusually with a 26km neutral zone which led us from Kaleo Manor through to “Craig’s farm” where we were reset for the start of the day’s racing. For the avoidance of doubt, yes, twenty six kilometres.

Bunch riding – big bunch!


The start heralded a 7km sprint for the start of a kilometre of smooth single track. After the rocky terrain of the previous two days the field was looking forward to the promised manicured single track (ST) on Craig’s farm. While Tony and I were still “consolidating” our position the front of the pack took off like the proverbial scalded cat.

A tight left handed into the first section of ST ended in tears for Rob Sims – one of the top Masters riders. He missed a narrow bridge and as we passed was he and his bike were still in the rather wide ditch. Reports were of a nasty injury to his knee. He ended up unable to continue.

We had no such problems!

It’s quite common for riders to vary in strength in different sections of the course. I, for example, am best on uphills and “roadie” sections, ok on twisty ST, not so great on high speed downhill ST and worst on high speed rough downhill ST. Others like the “fun” parts (viz scary) but struggle along the endurance biking bits. Sadly Tony is good on all of the above. Well, I say sadly from my perspective. It’s if course great for him! I need however to mention that I didn’t crash on this day. And that’s all I am saying.***

And so we wound our way through the spectacular scenery, along a ridge line that was pretty narrow and across a little district road to Heartbreak Hill. No prizes for guessing why this innocuous little climb is called heartbreak. Through some classic rock formation characteristic of the area and across the finish line.

Rocking the formations

Well done to Henco, René, Carel and all the Dryland crew who put on another class event.

And well done to the latest addition to the Wise Monkey family. Thanks for a great ride Tony Walker

Team Eleven Wise Monkeys

*The Vuelta is the three week long Spanish Grand Tour.

** The Tour is the three week long French Grand Tour.

*** Tony blames a stationary rider in an awkward spot for an awkward involuntary dismount.