Phuthu Stay Phut, Don't go!

Wooooooooo Hoooooooooo! We finished! We can finally tick the Cape Epic check box. It seems so surreal.

So our last day, which was Saturday, was short (60km) but tough. CamelToe clearly had the “turbo engine” whilst I just had, well, an engine. About an hour in, we spotted Paul and Ursula who had started in a batch before us. Needless to say that CamelToe fined tuned the turbo when he spotted them. This was great for me because it meant that I got sporadic pushes up the hills. Heaven!

We got to ride down a mother-of-a-mother climb that we rode up on the first day. Man it was fun. I passed quite a few riders, each time shouting “Overtaking on your right” and then thinking please don’t let me wipe out now, you’ll look like a real tonsil. Anyway, I got to the bottom in one piece.

I didn’t have any falls during the entire race except for the last 5km. I went around a corner, probably got a bit too much front brake and the next thing I knew, I was sniffing gravel. Ugggh. I gave myself an 8/10 for dismount, It could’ve been more spectacular if I had done an endo or something, but no I just did a side swivel thingie.

It happened in a neutral zone which meant that no one could pass me at that stage so I had to get back on my bike real fast. A cyclist behind me shouted “Rider Down” to warn everyone else to slow down. Am I down? Really? Oh crap I am too. Shoulder intact, collar bone intact, no bleeding, sjoe! But I still got such a fright, I could feel my bottom lip doing one of those jelly-type wobbles that usually precede a tearful saga.  Pull yourself towards yourself demmit!

Then in the semi-emotional state that I was in, I started imagining myself and CamelToe crossing the finish line and the mere thought made me let out a loud, real dorky, gasp. Pull yourself towards yourself demmit! Peddle. CamelToe looked over his shoulder to see where I was and I bravely put on my serious-racing-no-daydreaming-expression. You know that one?

Finally we reached Lourensford. Spectators were cheering along the finish chute as we rode in. The cheers were loud and genuine. Don’t ask me how I know what a genuine cheer is, I just do okay!

German commentator, Mike Mike called our names “and hea are my bez friendz zee Camel and zee Toe and zee Hungry and zee Bum, Jeremy and Louise Sanders”. As we crossed the finish line we both felt overwhelmed by emotion, a bit choked up.  After 9 months of training, we had achieved our goal. Finally.

For any mountain biker out there, you simply have to do this race. I can’t explain everything we experienced, there is just so much to tell, but what I can say is that this was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. It’s more than we ever thought it would be; the scenery, the people, the atmosphere, the laughs, and the challenge – everything was exceptional.

Thank-you:

CamelToe: I couldn’t have asked for a better partner, you rock! xx

Des and Mike: Thanks for shouting for us and for giving us a taste of the campervan life. Thanks Dawg!

Kirk and Colin from Morningside Cycles: Thank-you for sorting out our bikes. Yeti’s are the bomb!

Maddie (Physio-in-the-making): What a precious girl you are! Thanks for all the massages and support along route. You worked so hard and yet you were always smiling, you go girl!

Ian: (biokineticist-in-the-making):  The best premium host ever! Nothing was too much for you, you were professional, hard working and had an awesome attitude to the whole event. Good luck with the studies and we hope to see you doing the Epic some time!

G.I and Trav: Thanks for the Toyota VIP access guys! And Trav..well done on your first mtb race.

And to all our friends for the sms’s and phone calls.

This is sounding way too “Oscar”

Well Done:

Binks, Mylo, CamelToe, Pinkie and Paul M, Ursh and Paul P, Grandma and Jesse Boy, Gary Green and Partner and everyone else who finished!

Official ABSA Cape Epic Results can be found here

Sportograf – Official Cape Epic Photographers and Your Cape Epic Photos

I’ll leave you with the “Putt your handz up in za aire” song (our favourite at the start line)

…but this is the official ABSA Cape Epic 2009 song by ACDC

In line to receive our medals

Maddie – Our Physio Angel!

Ian – The Best Premiun Host Ever

This is very South African, almost like a braai as it also involves a fire and a cooler box, family and friends and the odd argument or two about who is stuffing up the potjie by stirring it or adding too much sauce (or is this just my family?). But there is no denying that this is a great social event and while a potjie is great for those chilly winter days, it can be enjoyed on any day! Like with a braai.

Ingredients
Oil
Lamb
2 Onions, chopped
5 carrots, sliced
Green beens, cut in half
Patti pans
Mushrooms
Baby potatoes, peeled
3 Mielies, each mielie cut in 3 pieces
Salt and Pepper

Method
Heat the oil in a large, heavy, black pot, fry the meat and onions until brown and season to taste while frying.
Add enough water to cover the meat (and a touch of red wine if you prefer), lower the heat and let the meat simmer for about 60 – 90 minutes (until soft).
Add the potatoes and mielies (and any other veggies that take a long time to cook).
Make a mix of mushroom and brown onion sauce, add a bit of chutney and add this to the pot (just enough to cover the meat). Close the lid and leave to simmer.
When the first set of veggies are halfway done, add the green beans, patti pans and mushrooms – arrange these in layers over the other veggies. Add a bit of salt and more sauce if necessary.

Serve with rice or samp.

3 Potjie secrets:

1. Don’t stir the pot. Ever. You are allowed to move things around ever so slightly but never stir!
2. Always make sure there is enough liquid at the bottom of the pot – just enough to cover the meat.
3. There is a difference between a potjie and a stew – don’t mix everything together, it shouldn’t look like a stew once you’re done! The meat etc. should be at the bottom with the veggies in layers – steamed to perfection. The veggies should be soft but still firm.

• Standard Bank of South Africa Limited is the biggest bank by total asset value (R886 billion) whilst ABSA is biggest bank by total number of customers. (SB Annual Report 2008, AMPS 2008 RA);
• 1.3 million South Africans drive Toyotas, roughly equal to the sum of the next two most popular manufacturers, VW and Nissan;
• South Africa is the sole producer of the Mercedes Benz C Class, right hand drive vehicles;
• 35,000 cyclists entered in 2009 Pick ‘n Pay Argus Cycle Tour; 25,600 started the ride and encountered winds of up to 140 km/hour, the worst in the race’s history.

Reference: Eighty20 – Fact-a-day