With the colder conditions over the past two stages I found myself drinking very little, often arriving at water points with a full bottle. Today though was a different story. It was hot, dry and windy. A water soaked shirt was dry in a matter of minutes. Any perspiration near instantly lapped up by the thirsty wind.
As we made our way towards Worcester from Oak Valley we hit a series of steep and sometimes twisty climbs. Still cool at stage and both of us feeling fresh we made good time enjoying the gradients. Soon catching riders from the start group ahead.
Photo by Gary Perkin/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
Photo by Gary Perkin/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
Only en route to water point 2 did the heat begin to kick in. From the stage profile and water point spacing we looked all set (neglecting the fact that the three stations were spaced over close on 130km). Once the heat kicked in bottles began to empty fast. When still ten kilometers from the water stop you start thinking about rationing your reserves. When you finally see the 1km sign relief sets in and the last gulp that’d been saved goes down the hatch.
From water point 2 we hit a longish climb out of Eagles cliff. On the exposed rocky slopes the heat was immense. Enjoying the climb and forgetting the earlier predicament I happily doused my back with water. Later this would again haunt me as rations were enforced with another 10km to water point 3 at just over 100km.
Riaan Manser cools down during stage 3 of the 2015 Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike stage race held from Oak Valley Wine Estate in Elgin to HTS Drostdy in Worcester, South Africa on the 18 March 2015
Photo by Dominic Barnardt/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
The stage today was tough. Mentally more so than physically. Although the legs were feeling okay the heat, wind and lack of fluids made led to some sense of humour failures. For no reason you get snappy at fellow riders (partners included) even if just in thought. With 25km to go into a blasting headwind I think both Dane and I were over it. But as the kilometers tick down and the little milestones get crossed off your mood improves. 19.999km to go, 14.999 km to go, 9.999km to go… Those decimal points somehow make you feel much better than the round number.
Another long and at times brutal day on the bike. The toughest yet with four stages to go. Time for some much needed rest! Until tomorrow.
Well done Admin, and good riding for the next stages!