![\"ACE15_Stage2_SR_0535.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-91326900-1426621128.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto by Shaun Roy\/Cape Epic\/SPORTZPICS<\/span><\/p>\n Waking up in the tent this morning I could hear the wind battering the village. Bursts of light rain peppered the thin walls. Add to this a marginally wet pillow and sleeping bag. It wasn’t a rosy start to the day.<\/p>\n After getting caught out in the cold and rain yesterday with just our short sleeve cycling tops we made sure to dress a little more warmly. Although the weather prediction was clear of rain and moderate temperatures it was looking like another wet, cold day was in store. We delayed taking our place in the start pen until the very last minute taking refuge in a nearby promo tent.<\/p>\n Once we got moving the cold wasn’t an issue, but the wind made itself known early. Up some of the initial climbs leaving Oak Valley the driving head and crosswinds made progress slow and unsteady. Soon though we turned off the path and the now tail wind propelled us along with some pace. Sitting just a little more upright had a noticeable effect of speed. Our bikes and bodies had become sailing vessels. It was fun. And fast!<\/p>\n Over the first 20km we encountered a fair chunk of the day’s climbing. Early on it was clear that we were going better today. Dane was looking good and we kept up a good rhythm up the climbs. Although Stage 1 was hyped as the big climbing day, I felt today had more climbs just on much friendlier surfaces and more spread out. My Garmin agreed with a measured 2760m over the 92 km route (2300m expected).<\/p>\n About 30km in my right knee began to ache. I’d felt a tension behind the knee last night but shrugged it off assuming it’d be gone in the morning. Not so. Seated climbing on steep gradients was painful at times but it was coming and going. At the pace we held it was manageable.<\/p>\n From the 40 km mark we linked into the A-Z single tracks after Gantou Pass. Many might be familiar with from Wines2Whales. If not it’s literally 26 separate sections of single track snaking down towards Elgin. Mountain bike heaven.<\/p>\n