The Old Mutual joBerg2C covers 900 kilometres over nine days from Heidelberg, just outside Johannesburg to Scottburgh on the KZN coast. It’s going to be an incredible journey.
Riders en route. Photo credit: Em Gatland
Day 1 saw us assemble at Karan Beef, Heidelberg, in crispy cool conditions. Hopefully the trickiest part of this adventure will be the logistics of moving my bike and myself safely from Cape Town to registration, and from registration to the start. I am not a seasoned bike flier, and flummoxed my Uber driver by trying to fit the bike box in the back of a Nissan Almera (not recommended best practice but for the record: I succeeded). It was a great relief to line up on the start line, and only have to deal with riding the 113 kilometres from Karan Beef to Frankfort.
The vibe at Joberg2C is completely different from many of the stage races I have completed. The focus is on the community, the experience, and the journey. The start line showed this, with a community run food and coffee stand, offering coffee and homemade beskuit for R10, and the most chilled vibe I have ever seen. Not something you are likely to find at most races.
Some of the race nutrition on this relaxed stage was a little unusual. Photo credit: Em Gatland
The first day was a neutral stage, meaning all riders get the winners time, so the focus really wasn’t on racing, and we were able to relax and enjoy the ride. The reason for the neutral stage is the boat crossing over the Vaal River. We were shuttled across by a fleet of boats of varying shapes and sizes manned by local farmers and volunteers.
Crossing the Vaal River by boat was a highlight of the day. Photo credit: Em Gatland
A large portion of the route was farm roads through mielie fields. Photo credit: Em Gatland
The route was relatively flat, we climbed only 850 metres in the 113 kilometres. It was predominantly open farm roads, and this made it deceptively challenging. You had to pedal the majority of the way, and after the early morning chill burned off, things got warm quickly.
We were kept entertained as we meandered along the Wilge River by a herd of buck running alongside us: my first experience of this kind, and it was wonderful. We had to deal with some fudge-like mud on the river banks, followed by a couple of kilometres of sand after the third and final water point hosted by the Bambi Nursery School, on a farm next to the Wilge. This meant I was pretty keen to get to the finish, in the hope of a cold chocolate milk, and lunch.
The route follows the Wilge River. Photo credit: Em Gatland
I think I bonked in the last two kilometres through Frankfort: never has a short distance felt so long. I got myself over the line and teleported into the showers. I’m learning that a good shower turnaround time is key to successful stage racing. It allows you to eat and rest as fast as possible.
The hospitality of the local farmers has not been exaggerated by the race organisers, we were treated to a spread of delicious baked goods, in addition to lunch, fresh fruit, and Seattle coffee. If this is roughing it, I can cope.
Riding through countryside that was new to me had me loving every minute of today’s stage. Photo credit: Em Gatland
Tomorrow we ride 93 kilometres to Reitz, with 1001 metres of climbing. With legs still relatively fresh, and the novelty of riding through completely new countryside: I can’t wait.
