Cape Pioneer Trek 2012 Route

[DJR]

............. My wife and I were both stung over 900 times each. I had to get adrenaline and antihistamines in the field, and missed the next 2 days. .........

Apologies if I trivialized that piece of road -............. In hindsight I was probably not in a position to make an informed assessment.

No apologies needed. Stung 900 times, bloody hell, you were in big trouble. Respect for coming back to ride after that.

[G-Unit]

I am just so darn glad I finished my 1st 7-day stage race, that being the 2012 Cape Pioneer Trek.

 

In typical rookie fashion, I got caught up in the Prologue hype and hussle and bussle of stage 1 from Oudtshoorn to Calitzdorp......and started off way too fast and pushed my HR and legs a bit too much!!

 

I also gave it some stick up the Swartberg pass during stage 2. In stage 3 from Prince Albert to De Rust, I started to notice that my power had deserted me, as I battled on most of the climbs....BUT, it was stage 4 through the Kammanassie that was the worst day in my life on a mountainbike. I truly battled to turn the pedals on that day of "only" 64km's!!! It took me over 6 hours to complete that day to Louvain (Herold)!! From then on to George and from George to Oudtshoorn, it became a matter of survival for me. I honestly underestimated the rugged and unforgiving terrain of the Karoo......and also my conditioning and preparation were not what I thought they were.....

 

BUT, it was the most exhilarating experience that I have ever done. I truly feel so sorry for G-Unit and his wife who could not officially finish the Cape Pioneer Trek due to their attack by the bees on stage 1......what a absolutely freak accident! But, for them it just means unfinished business and that's why I am sure they will go back in 2013....it was great to meet so many new people, i.e. G-Unit and his wife, James Thompson (Olympic Gold medalist) and partner Caroline, Eben Laubsher, Tinus Venter and Gert Marx (Team Mad Dogz) who rode with me from the Kammanassie to Oudtshoorn. This is what the Trek is all about!

 

The Cape Pioneer Trek provided me the opportunity to ride this race as a solo entry....and that worked for me and many other solo entry riders!! Thanks Dryland!

 

This IS a mountainbiker's race, good wholesome hospitality at the overnight towns, perfect organisation, marvelous routes, testing TERRAIN and everyone chats to everyone! This is a winning formula that will see the Cape Pioneer Trek going from strength to strength!!!

 

I will be back in 2013! Better prepared and knowing what to expect from the Karoo!

 

Well done on the finish Gerhadc! You WERE looking a little flat those last couple of days! When you burn all your matches in the first few days on a race like that you really are in a bit of a hole. And added to that that fact that you rode it solo must have made those last 3 days pretty mean.

 

Look forward to seeing you around. J2C maybe?

[kandui]

Thought I would throw this in for fun. Oakpics strategically placed at a couple of bumps in the road.

Picture courtesy of Oakpics, thanks Fanus.

Edited October 24, 2012 by kandui