Epic Insider: Balancing pain and pleasure on Stage 5

Riding a bike, in particular a bike race like the Cape Epic, is something special. You put yourself through all sorts of pain with a goal in mind. That goal might just be the top of a hill to reach a trail head or to tick off a bucket list entry like the Epic. Not matter how tough, how much pain you’re in or how tired you may be you push through. Perhaps for the pleasure of some exhilarating single track or the feeling of absolute accomplishment.

Esther Suss and Alice Pirard during stage 5 of the 2015 Absa Cape Epic

Photo by Ewald Sadie/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

During today’s stage this feeling was ever present. After a slow start over the first few stages Dane and I are now both feeling good. We had a great ride yesterday and were ready for the big one today. But feeling “good” is a relative term. Spending more hours on a bike already this week than most would spend at work has taken it’s toll.

Starting the stage today we set off on some fast flat dirt and tar roads for close on 15km. Ordinarily I’d welcome the easier start to such a long day, but this morning my knee had other ideas. On every pedal stroke it felt like a nail was being driven through the kneecap. Thankfully on the climbs it magically felt better. And climbs there were plenty of today. Given the hours spent on a bike it’s expected that there will be aches and pains. Dane’s also had his share of slow and steady torture with his toes taking an absolute beating.

Just like yesterday we set a good tempo when the road turned up. And each time it did we reeled in a few more teams. Equally when the trail got windy and technical we caught and passed a few more. Having some prime Cape trails and climbs on our doorstep seems to be paying dividends in this regard.

Photo by Dominic Barnardt/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

Once again we rode well together on the stage. Not pushing too hard with a long stage and tough climbs ahead, but hard enough to move our way up the field. Early on in the day the wind started to pick up which did raise concerns. With 20 odd kilometers through the valleys leading up to Bains Kloof a headwind would mean another nightmarish day like Wednesday. When the route headed south and the tail wind caught us a we let out a collective sigh of relief.

Photo by Damien Schumann/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

Heading up Bains Kloof a nice group of riders had formed and we set out a steady tempo. It was hot on the tar and knowing there was a water point at the summit we happily doused ourselves with water.

After the long, steady climb we were actually feeling pretty fresh. My knee issues had been forgotten and both in good spirits we topped up liquids before setting off down Bains towards Welvanpas and the final two climbs. Again we felt good, passing more riders as we climbed. The first was a long one, but knowing the end of the stage was near and some single track awaited we were soon at the top. Then the fun began in the form of a trail called “The Full Monty”. Let’s just say that true to the name we were given a good show. Foresty singletrack winding down the mountainside. Worth every metre climbed and then some.

Cresting the final climb of the day we entered “Cool Runnings” and “Cool Runnings Too”. A queue of traffic meant the pace down these two trails was slowed. Likely for the best as in the loose, fine sand I might have pushed the fun a bit too far.

The final 5km back to the finish was quick. On the wheel of Rally driving ace Gugu Zulu and his partner Lawrence we raced back to the finish. Whether Gugu had taken my chirp about dicing seriously or was just keen to get back I’m not sure, but he tore through the farm roads at a furious pace. A good day for us and one with an ending worth any discomfort along the way.

On any normal ride I’d quickly call it a day with the level of discomfort earlier in the stage. As I think would many of the guys and girls strapped up, bandaged and generally a little beaten. But this isn’t any ordinary ride and like the many others we’re focussed on one thing: competing our first Cape Epic.