94.7 - Racing the city streets

[Li Mu Bai]

The wind pressed into my face. The pull up the N14 was starting to get tiring now. The group that we had caught up were all quite content to sit sheltered as we climbed up the highway. I swallowed away the bitter contents of my third whasp gel. The caffeine chased away the lightness my legs were starting to feel. I was having fun though; the spectators here and there, and the water point staff cheered us on.<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

It had been an amazing race so far. The start was fresh, the DJ?s talking nonsense, the competitors excitement high. Last minute breakfasts were eaten hurriedly below the bright red Pick ?n Pay tent, with the portaloo?s doing overtime as they stood at attention along the center of the start pens.

The start pace up the M2 was electric, the road smooth and quiet in the shade of the city buildings. Crossing the Mandela bridge, I realized it was the first I had ever done so. We filtered back northwards through the suburbs, the shadows shortening as the sun rose above us. Parts of the 5am Engen training route came into play, and the downhills of Bryanston were nice and quick.

The halfway mark was a bit disconcerting; my odometer contradicted what the signs were telling me by an extra 5km. I had finally found someone to ride with at a similar pace to my own and we worked hard to keep our momentum going. Turning onto the R55, I was finally on home turf, and whizzing past Kyalami I realized I would still have to cycle back up that road to get home later. I promptly banished that thought and declared that several beers would make that a less painful experience.

Thinking about it now, the race was over in a flash, many part of the route a blur as I concentrated on the wheel ahead of me. It was a well-organized event and I thoroughly enjoyed the beer tent afterwards, wolfing down burgers, comparing times and experiences with my companions, and seeing so many people come together and have fun. Rude2007-11-19 03:57:21

[Angel]

Enjoyed reading your report, Rude, but you forgot to tell us your time?

[Li Mu Bai]

My Second road race after the 'Shova - 2:42:52