Race report from an Atta first timer:
I am glad I had never done the race before, as knowing what lay ahead, compounded by the rising mercury, I probably would have thought twice.
Standing in the starting pen, one could sense the trepidation for what lay ahead. Check the clutch, tighten the cleats, last sip of already warm water and we're off! Immediately the heat and dust is next level. The sunscreen/dust combo actually was a blessing in disguise against the sun.
Up and through Chandlier, trying to be as conservative as possible, other more experienced riders here already were taking it very easy. Through the fist water point, everyone was stopping, drinking, pouring and trying to get their heart rates down. Already I chew on a piece of banana bread for about 4km!
The stretch between the first water point and the KOM water point was a combination of blurred vision, Zone 4/5 heart rate levels, walking, swearing and bargaining with myself. So many times I looked up at the hills and said WTF?! The KOM waterpoint was carnage, riders completely spent and trying to recover, putting water bottles on the wrong bikes, others just sitting, trying to get that heart rate down. Crazy!!
Down the Attakwas kloof, some recovery, feeling a bit better, maybe we can finish this. We hit the rolling hills, start in granny, try stay upright as there is no power left. More walking, but the camaraderie is great! The added water points are life savers, stop and rest, bargain some more until recovery. Can't sit here the whole day, need to get going eventually!
By now many riders are calling it a day. Second last water point, 36km left. What is 36km's? A normal ride, done many times before, we can do this. Cramp block pills, Ice water over the head, full bottles, down the hill, through the river (looked like a resort by now with everyone cooling down), and up another hill. This one never ends. Cars start driving down the route looking for their rider. Another guy starts zigzagging up the hill, which works so well, he rides away from me. Finally I make it to the 8 Bells turn.
Rest again in some shade, nothing is staying down. But it is so close! Decision making time, some ride, some climb into cars. Off the tar, hello headwind! Down the hill, Blesbok climb. Lets try the zigzag technique, each time looking back to find my legs. Is there another water point? There is!! Nearly nearly there!! One more down and up, the flat at the top feels never-ending!
And all of a sudden, its over.
Many lessons learnt, many dark places visited, but it was one for the books. It is the first time I had a higher heart rate average than power average! I don't believe anyone could have prepared for that level of heat, it was a pure vasbyt effort, Africa is not a place for sissies!!
Cheers
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