Camp's Bay

Here is where Jonathan and i will stay for the next three day's prior to the race start. This is Camps Bay just south of cape town. A photo from the air and from the window of our cottage. If we walk onto the street and to the right or north a long row of shops and restaurants begin. The beach includes white sands and the water very cold. This is the town Jonathan grew up in.

Tuesday In Greyton

We were joined by Spiro (photo), a friend of Jonathan's who lives in Greyton and has become a life coach. He spent about an hour touring a couple of the stage 4 race loops with us. The race courses have been marked and we are able to pick up the trails with a little investigation as hard copy routes have not been provided as of yet. You can see the red arrow sign in the picture of me. The cows in the back were completely amused by our presence. We then headed back to Cape Town and our beach cottage for the next three days prior to the race start.

Monday training

Jonathon and I decided to go back to the stage 3 route and try to find the 3K hike a bike section of the course. The previous day we did succeed in finding the first climb. After the lunch mentioned below and trying to repair the rear hatch of our vehicle, we ended up going up the nearby hills and back riding the course. We ended up parking far up this hill and rains where in the sky and cool temperature. Yesterday we were hitting the highs of our stay and today rain and clouds. While riding in the cloud fog and rain Jonathan had stopped and held me back. There where heavy cries which where either hiennas or baboons. It was very irre and unsettling but we continued on. After rolling over the mountain and down we got to the top of the hike a bike section. 20 percent up a 2000 foot high face with more rocks, cobbles and boulders then imagined. This was part of a 4 by 4 path. Both Jonathon and I were amazed any vehicle would attempt this. So all in all we accomplished our goal for the day. Then off the Greyton and our cottage.

Today at lunch

typical cape dishes, frikkadels, babotie, tomato bredie and green bean bredie. I decided on the babotie which cost R45. the rand is about 10 to 1 so roughly $4.50.

Baboon Highjacking

Franschhoek

We arrived in Franschhoek today and checked into the gable manner (see photo). Franschhoek is located within a valley sounded by the craggy mountains. This region was populated by elephants in the late 1800's and the wine making can be dated back to the 1600's with the french. Jonathon and I joined by Niko drove east out of the valley and into the adjoining region for Epic stages 2 and 3. We reconned part of the course and then back to the Gable Manner for a Ice bath. We went to Dinner at the Tasting Room, recently named one of the top 50 resturants in the world. Robin I wish you were with me as you would have loved it and this region.

Arrival Text

We arrived in SA Friday morning at sunrise after a long night of flying. I ended up with 4 seats and a complete lay down in coach while Jonathan truly enjoyed business class food and seating. While I enjoyed the space, I got the curse of no sleep and endless time. In the afternoon we got to the bikes and a fairly leisurely ride south down the beautiful SA coast. The photo is from Dinner at Mano's and we where joined by Jonathan's friends Niko and Candy, Richard and Sam and Dirk and Riana. Niko was the original rider in the cape epic but we took his spot. Dirk is a three time finisher and provided lots of helpful information. Richard was just plan fun. Saturday we meet Niko and headed a couple Kilometers to the start of the race prologue. The photo is on the course looking down into cape town. After a lap of about 1 hour Jonathan experienced a sidewall flat which put havoc in our day. We have been experimenting with tires and now may be making a change. Niko has a khs chain link come off at the end of the second lap, have not seen this one yet. We are now off to a 2 night stay in FranschHoek. This area is a big wine region and look forward to arrival and the expected countryside. We plan to recon days 2 and 3 of the epic.