Much like magic, a whole city has sprung up on the Saasveld School Campus.
The bright yellow pod-like tents are a stunning contrast to the tall yellow woods, palms and manicured grass.
Alp-like jagged peaks catch small wispy clouds on their peaks; the sky otherwise blue and cloudless. A hooded white helicopter rests on the right of the field from 5 hours of buzzing incessantly over the leaders' heads.
To say this whole race is a spectacle is an understatement. There are huge shower trucks brought in, a GIANT banquet hall sized big top that is a football field long. The bike wash though outdoors has sponsor bannered splash walls and shining aluminum handle bar racks and power wash guns! The whole thing is a stunning example of why Cape Epic is a world class sporting event.
For the update on the Trek/Volkswagen crew we had tough but respectable days.
The ladies started out on top, stoked from carrying the leaders' maroon jerseys.
Following Sue thru rocky dusty dirt roads took it's toll and Jenny flatted. This had them a little off rhythm but as Sue says "It's not bad luck to flat once in a race like this; everyone is likely to flat at least once."
Chris and I got shelled and the Cannondale guys put down what was reported by Carl Platt as world cup pace for the first few big climbs.
A lot of teams attempted to follow, but we soon reeled them in like tired fish. We ended up with some good groups for extended sections and if we weren't with a group I would get on the front on the road sections and throw down. A wicked workout.
Tomorrow looks to be even hotter than today. I am glad we start at 7 a.m. so its just getting nasty in the last hour and a half.
I have an awesome post from our incredible visit at the Knysna elephant farm but it will have to wait. I forgot my charger on my trek over to the media room.
More coming soon.
Jeremiah
Oh, did I mention we saw two monkeys today? So cool!
Labels: Endurance Racing, Epic Adventures
posted by Jeremiah Bishop # 9:32 AM 
