Jabberwock caught us after their sleep and we started our chase to reel them in.
FYNBOS – whoever gave this name to this shrubs they need their minds read. Deon took us on a B Line up to the radio mast and this was our formal introduction to the Fynbos that was to become our friend on this leg. We left transition in 4th position with Jabberwock on our heals. We almost accomplished this but then Penny Pinchers arrived and BROKE THE SILENCE. We immediately went into stealth mode getting ready for the long hike as quickly and quietly as possible. Our spirits and tired minds where immediately lifted when we peered into the farm shed to see both BikesNwines as well as Jabberwock fast asleep all snug.
Our journey to the transition saw us fighting off the first attack of the Sleepmonster and hit transition at first light. We started cycling off together but soon lost them when they suffered bike problems on one of the sandy beaches. With some tricky nav to the light house with even more sticky sand to contend with we were surprised to see Penny Pinchers pop out of the dunes behind us at the CP. We would end up chasing Jabberwock down and trying to stay clear of BikesNwines for the majority of the race. Checking the route Jabberwock and BikesNwines flew past us and this would be the start of our battle with them. Soon we were on our way chasing down Penny pinchers whom we saw in our head lights. We tucked into the gear and food box with relish and prepared for the long 140km MTB.
#CASTLE RACE GEAR FULL#
We made it to the transition at Gansbaai full of spirit seeing Penny Pinchers still in transition. This leg was a mental slog running out of water and refilling at the cottage at the end of the beach. We hit the beach with Penny Pinchers clipped the CP and stopped to refuel when BikeNwines and Jabberwock made their appearance. We played cat and mouse with Penny Pinchers on this leg and were blasted by Accelerate who came past us as though they feared the African Sun J. We transitioned into the 37km run and coasteering leg without much delay and were soon onto the long hot dirt road leading to the coast. Whilst paddling up the calmer river section with Penny Pinchers just in front of us a sudden bursting through of the reeds on the left revealed the UK team of Accelerate and prompted me to enquire “Livingstone I Presume”. We managed to keep Penny Pinchers in sight and passed Jabberwock our soon to be arch nemesis on this race. These adverse conditions however suited us as the better paddling teams could not find a rhythm and it all came down to strength and determination. The 20 km kayak section was into a potent head wind with the lagoon and river turning into a mass of 1 meter chop and whipping wind. Having overshot one of the CP’s we hit the beach section with Penny Pinchers and BikesNwines and onto the transition to Kayaks. We started of running and hit the CP’s fast and furious dicing our buddies from Penny Pinchers. We started the race with a 14km fast paced running stretch through Hermanus and this really set the tone and pace for our team. This year had to be different and I’m glad it was. At the last Bull of Africa I got cellular infection 80km from the end and was pulled of the course. The reason behind this is that during expedition racing the longer your team is out there the greater the chance of something going wrong gets. When it was our teams chance to introduce ourselves I said that our aim was to finish the race in the fastest time possible and not cause Stephan any unnecessary grief. What a pleasure not having to cart these cumbersome items down. Everything was handed to us – Kayaks, Bike Boxes and Transition Boxes. We had minimal logistics to handle except to plan our meals and gear boxes. Kinetic Gear really made this expedition adventure race a pleasure for us as racers. We were a full squad reasonably healthy despite a sniffel or two and ready to race. Sitting in that tent at Race briefing and listening to all the teams introduce themselves was the pinnacle of all the training and preparation that had taken place prior to the event. Adventure Racing really brings on a flood of feelings like no other sport that I have had the privilege of participating.
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