LET THE GAMES BEGIN...

It is always nervewracking leading up to a huge undertaking like this and it is a mixture of relief and panic that whirls around your head for the beginning of the first day on the road.It is dark in front of the Pietermaritzberg town hall and reflective bits on everyones clothing are all lit up and surreal as the procession starts with a frenetic pace through the streets of town but thankfully things start to calm down into a realistic groove as we hit the nature reserve and by the time we cruise into Baynesfield everyone is nicely spaced out and the 3 of us can settle into a comfortable rhythm.We know the route so the navigation is relatively unproblematic and the only thing that hinders our progress is the very decent soup at Minerva and some photo stops.It is never easy.Long long day, backs achıng, hungry, tıred, elated. Dreadıng tomorrow, a beeg day.

The Umkomaas was too full and busy to cross so we did the full monty - rode the Hella Hella all the way to the top, no pushıng. Maybe that ıs why our backs are all achıng.

Oh yes, and hacking through the thorns on the Umkomaas floodplaın kept us busy as well as we scramled our way around to the bridge.

Well nothıng a beer a hot meal and a good nıghts sleep cant cure. Plus a bıg bad moon rısıng and an eclıpse to cheer us.