What a great day yesterday! Perfect weather, considering how windy it has been the last few weeks/months in Cape Town. I enjoyed the new start layout in front of the City Hall and the minor route change in getting onto the N2. I was at the start at around 6:10, so I'm not sure if that helped, but there seemed to be very little congestion getting into the chutes. After starting in 2F, there was a thinned out group of cyclists very early on. I think by the time we were on the M3, there was already a mix of a bunch of different groups, etc. I seemed to find myself constantly looking for the next bunch ahead, not sure if I was just feeling overly optimistic, or if no one really seemed to be working together? There were really bad crashes though! On the decent of Wynberg Hill, into Constantia a few meters ahead of me which looked very bad. Then further down the M3, more or less opposite Tokai, another few causalities lying in the road. After Simon's Town, near Boulders (I think) a screech of tyres followed by the smell of hot rubber as more riders went down. And then I think I went past the accident involving the marshal on the descent after Suikerbossie. Really feel sorry for everyone involved, especially those who tragically lost their lives. The crashes really looked like they were down to inexperience riding in groups. I think that was also part of the reason I kept moving on, as it felt uneasy in the smaller bunches. Anyway, managed to ride a PB, as I am sure many did and finished just under 3h20 which I am stoked with. Congrats to all!
