The day started off well with the guys putting on much need pace down the M5. We had a bit of tail wind which helped a bit. The turn out was okay-ish with seven pitching having had to drop 2 of them off an hour into the ride. We were left with 5 guys to complete the route. We planned to a circular route from Steenberg towards Tygerberg hills over Tikkie Draai hill then on towards Stellenbosch and back home via Baden Powell. The first hill over Tikkie Draai was okay for some guys but again showed who had had some legs on the day. 3 out of the 5 managed to finish together. The infamous Cape Doctor made an entrance at this time. We headed through Durbanville and onto Bottelary Road where we chatting for most of the way until we got into Stellenbosch. We filled up our water bottles at one of the petrol stations and decided today was a good to tackle Ou Helshoogte. This is one of the oldest roads in the area which has been closed for a number of years. It was recently opened for cyclist which meant we had the entire road for ourselves. We decided to tackle the climb together as it was new for most of us. It was breath taking though, both because of the scenery and because the climb was very touch. I winds its way up through the forest of Stellenbosch and finishes on top where the new road meets up with a concrete gate.

I was not feeling well the whole day. My body took a pounding from the week’s squash and some work I had to do at home and some more cycling during the week. I was at the point of turning back home but as I was chatting to the guys I forgot about the pain and just carried on riding. I ended at the point of know return where did not have a choice but to finish what set out to do.
The team is progressing but not the pace that I am satisfied. The guys that I need to be on the training rides are not there. We are now at a point where the gap between the fit and not so fit is becoming bigger.