Back to the karoo

The gamble paid off, we left Willowmore in a freezing early start for the long haul(185km) to Prince Albert. The dreaded headwinds had died down, so the long flat Karoo road was a breeze allowing us to maintain avg speeds approaching 16ks/hour and make good time.

Only problem was a bit of stomach bug troubles going around. Ricky was worst hit and left with no strength. Two bike tubes made a bungee hitch and Di was helping him maintain a bit of speed.

The road is also very sandy and badly corrugated in places, but the absence of the dreaded prevailing headwind made up and more for all this. As is traditional, local supporter Johan Rissik was waiting 30kms outside Prince Albert with flasks of coffee and rusks.

Tonight is one of the highlights of the race from an accommodation point of view. Ria from Dennehof is putting us up in 5* Karoo style incl gourmet food and luxury facilities. The same Johan is also a capable bike mechanic and our bikes got a good clean, technical once over and minor niggles sorted. What a treat!

Johann had gleefully pointed out the fresh sprinkling of snow covering the tops of the Swartberg in the distance on our approach and tomorrow we tackle the famously beautiful Swartberg pass en route to Gamkaskloof and Die Hell, with the notorious scramble up the Ladder to get out the other side. Johan has promised to drive up the pass to bring more coffee & rusks. Sigh, this adventure racing is tough stuff.