Sorry - hit send button.
So Christo took my harness and carabiners and Alex took my small food packet. Whether physical or psychological it did help. We hit all the CPs spot on to complete the section in 2hrs. We checked in at the base of the canyoneering and had about 30mins to wait before we could start heading upwards.
The canyon was a section that I was looking really forward to doing and I am certain that we went up the part we went down last year. You have to clip in alot of the way, using a cow-tail to clip in one rope after the next.
Up, up, up! We were sweating like crazy and drinking plenty it is hard work going so steeply up and using both legs and upper body to haul yourself up the ropes. The small bottle necks were actually great and I used the few minutes to take photos. Weird weather too - overcast but still quite warm. We reached the top with about 15mins before the race restarted on bikes.
I loaded up with water and minutes later we were riding fast down the mountain along the winding switchbacks. The front was lead by a police car, which was fortunate because without it there would definitely have been accidents.
From the bottom of the mountain we rode as a east peleton into Al Ain.
I think the ride took an hour - flat out all the way. And we stuck with the main bunch. We stopped at the Al Ain oasis and had about 30mins - maybe more - to change pedals and get the bikes back to the way we received them. The final section was a 4km run through the oasis and into town to finish at the fort.
With time ticking we were on to buses for a ride back to Abu Dhabi. We couldn't wait to get to the hotel and into showers. The showers here are really good. It took three shampoos to get my hair de-sanded and de-salted! With the guys looking all cleaned up we headed to the prize giving ceremony and another superb meal. Awesome food on this race.
We have got some fabulous photos and lots more to say. We fly home tonight. I have been blogging on Alex's phone, so that explains the predictive text word errors. I will type on the plane and prep some photos and captions to put online when we get back Friday morning. We have had the most amazing time here - racing, outdoors, competitive and comraderie.
We have been so well looked after by this event - again - and we come home with great memories and new friends.
Till tomorrow. Lisa
Showing posts with label ADAC09: Race reports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ADAC09: Race reports. Show all posts
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Last day... Like horses bolting for home
Our last day of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, yesterday, started for us at 3am!
The bus trip from the end of that awful windy and sandy biking section (certainly par for the course who you are in a desert!) took about 2hrs. We camped at Green Mabarat below the Jebel Hafeet mountain. We were meant to camp on the other side of the mountain but because of the still howling wind organisation changed the venue. And we are so glad they did because the other side, which we saw the next morning
was a sandy and rocky and nasty area.
At Green we took advantage of the stream, man-made, to wash off the day's dust - loads of it. This park area is also covered in grass so it made for good sleeping. Alarm clocks went off at 3am so that we would be ready to transfer to the start at 4.30. It was cold and windy outside so we stayed in the bus for as long as possible.
We started with a night 'orienteering' section and I use quotation marks because it was more of a grab a gps and run like hell section. We had some coordinates for the compulsory controls and Alex worked out the others for the two optionals. We were given 2h45 for the section and with a 2hr penalty per missed optional, it was not an
option to miss them. We were running in the dark - using headlamps - over the most rocky ground I have ever traversed, especially at high pace.
My backpack was loaded and from the gun I was taking strain. After the second compulsory Christo took my mountaineering kit - harness...
The bus trip from the end of that awful windy and sandy biking section (certainly par for the course who you are in a desert!) took about 2hrs. We camped at Green Mabarat below the Jebel Hafeet mountain. We were meant to camp on the other side of the mountain but because of the still howling wind organisation changed the venue. And we are so glad they did because the other side, which we saw the next morning
was a sandy and rocky and nasty area.
At Green we took advantage of the stream, man-made, to wash off the day's dust - loads of it. This park area is also covered in grass so it made for good sleeping. Alarm clocks went off at 3am so that we would be ready to transfer to the start at 4.30. It was cold and windy outside so we stayed in the bus for as long as possible.
We started with a night 'orienteering' section and I use quotation marks because it was more of a grab a gps and run like hell section. We had some coordinates for the compulsory controls and Alex worked out the others for the two optionals. We were given 2h45 for the section and with a 2hr penalty per missed optional, it was not an
option to miss them. We were running in the dark - using headlamps - over the most rocky ground I have ever traversed, especially at high pace.
My backpack was loaded and from the gun I was taking strain. After the second compulsory Christo took my mountaineering kit - harness...
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Finished
We're finished! We had another longer-than-expected day. We finished with a short run into Al Ain. We were bused back to our luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi for the closing ceremony, dinner and the party.
We finished in 27th place. We're happy with that. We should get some Wi-Fi tomorrow to do some more updates. - Alex
We finished in 27th place. We're happy with that. We should get some Wi-Fi tomorrow to do some more updates. - Alex
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Sand in our pants
The title of this posting was suggested by Francois and Christo...
We slept pretty well last might. These high intensity days mean that you are ready to sleep by 8. We are up at 5, or before, so it is still a long day. Temperatures at night have been really good - on chance to shiver. We usually start on top of our small sleeping bags, keeping the tent flaps open to catch the breeze. Within a few hours we climb inside the bags, but definitely too hot to curl up completely inside it. The ground at all camps has been hard - and we don't have mats - so we do wake up to roll over. Generally hips get sore and for the rest we are all unconscious.
So this morning camp was rustling by 5. Breakfast has been cornflakes, boiled eggs, some pastry things and a local flat bread. To me, cornflakes are like cottonwool so I top up breakfast with some mix-in-a-ziploc cereal from home.
With race crates loaded on to the truck we were off on our bikes for a blisteringly fast 45km to the new Desert Resort. Christo and Francois took turns hauling me on the tow rope, which really improved our overall speed.
We got to the Resort to be warmly welcomed by Mark, Peter and a bunch of friendly South Africans. Thank you for your friendly greetings guys.
Even though we arrived within the first half of the field, we missed most of the edible spread put out by the hotel. We had an hour between arrival and departure for the next section so we took a walk around. I will put photos on tomorrow after the race. I wouldn't mind staying there for a few nights. The guys said it is about R4000 per night and that the buffet alone is R800. Still... Would be nice. We were thinking that today's stage would have been perfect if we stopped there after the first section and then proceeded with a pool party. Wishful thinking! The Resort looks like a sand castle, which it essentially is.
And then we were off again, but not before a car drove over Alex's bike with 15mins to the start! The front wheel, she was broken big time. We told race organisation and within 10mins we had another race bike. Pedals were changed in minutes and we were ready with 2mins to go.
During the stop the wind had picked up even more and the air was hazy with sand. Mark said that yesterday the road to the Resort had been sandfree. Today we encountered drifts with sand blown into our faces. The second, 55km stage, was the most unpleasant I have encountered in 10yrs of biking. The road is hard packed something and very rough and bumpy. The wind was howling and blowing sand straight into our mouths, nostrils and ears. Absolutely nasty. And also terrifying to hit soft sand sections while on a tow rope!
This section was unbelievably hard. Riding into the wind on rough roads and being punished by the swirling sand! We hauled and from the drying effect of the wind we were working through our water very fast. With at least an hour thirty to go we were pretty much all out and you know how hard it is to eat when you have no water. And it was hot on top of this.
At the checkpoint, with 18km to go, we got a near full 1.5-litre bottle from the course director. We flattened it. About 30mins later we got two full bottles from a race official, who we stopped as he was driving down the road. He was accosted by the teams close behind us too.
A local army guy gave me and another girl a can of Pepsi, "For the girls," he said. My guys were slightly ahead so they missed out. He had told Alex that we had 8km to go and that only the next two would be as bad. We had been through a good number of kilometers where we were on and off our bmikes to push through soft sand. Some we could ride through, which was really exhausting. And I am just not as good or as fast as the guys at getting through the sand.
Finally we crested yet another dune - the desert is not flat! We climbed a lot - and seeing the finish was a welcome sight. We went straight for our box of water and each downed a litre in one gulp. As Francois says, 'I have never been so thirsty in my life!'.
We are now on a bus going through to our last camp. I do hope it is the same place as last year below Jebel Hafeet. It would be great to sleep on a grassy surface. The trip is about 3hrs and we are all so dirty and sandy and crusty. Looking forward to shower. As the guys say, we have sand in our pants and everywhere else too.
Tomorrow we start probably well before sunrise with an orienteering thing. I have packed my super dooper Petzl Ultra. I used it a bit at the rogaine in Estonia last year. The light is amazing and it should work well. Maps are not O maps - probably Google again - but should still be fun. More on tomorrow later.
As of today's stage Francois says the he didnt enjoy it - too much push bike in the sand.
Christo says that the first part was good, the resort was amazing and the second section was very unexpected - from the headwind to the sand and road conditions. He will definitely remember this day and it will make anything to come seem easy.
Alex agrees on all the wind and same stuff. He also needed to pack more food. He ate all through the stage and still ran out. He was burning through sugar way faster than he could get it in - in volumes. That said, he has not had any problems with his sugar - never too high or too low - at all, which is really great. If has decided to always keep
a stash of emergency bars in his pack for stages like his where he needed even more than expected.
Phew enough typing - I am doing these on a cell keypad. Hopefully get a little nap on bus.
We slept pretty well last might. These high intensity days mean that you are ready to sleep by 8. We are up at 5, or before, so it is still a long day. Temperatures at night have been really good - on chance to shiver. We usually start on top of our small sleeping bags, keeping the tent flaps open to catch the breeze. Within a few hours we climb inside the bags, but definitely too hot to curl up completely inside it. The ground at all camps has been hard - and we don't have mats - so we do wake up to roll over. Generally hips get sore and for the rest we are all unconscious.
So this morning camp was rustling by 5. Breakfast has been cornflakes, boiled eggs, some pastry things and a local flat bread. To me, cornflakes are like cottonwool so I top up breakfast with some mix-in-a-ziploc cereal from home.
With race crates loaded on to the truck we were off on our bikes for a blisteringly fast 45km to the new Desert Resort. Christo and Francois took turns hauling me on the tow rope, which really improved our overall speed.
We got to the Resort to be warmly welcomed by Mark, Peter and a bunch of friendly South Africans. Thank you for your friendly greetings guys.
Even though we arrived within the first half of the field, we missed most of the edible spread put out by the hotel. We had an hour between arrival and departure for the next section so we took a walk around. I will put photos on tomorrow after the race. I wouldn't mind staying there for a few nights. The guys said it is about R4000 per night and that the buffet alone is R800. Still... Would be nice. We were thinking that today's stage would have been perfect if we stopped there after the first section and then proceeded with a pool party. Wishful thinking! The Resort looks like a sand castle, which it essentially is.
And then we were off again, but not before a car drove over Alex's bike with 15mins to the start! The front wheel, she was broken big time. We told race organisation and within 10mins we had another race bike. Pedals were changed in minutes and we were ready with 2mins to go.
During the stop the wind had picked up even more and the air was hazy with sand. Mark said that yesterday the road to the Resort had been sandfree. Today we encountered drifts with sand blown into our faces. The second, 55km stage, was the most unpleasant I have encountered in 10yrs of biking. The road is hard packed something and very rough and bumpy. The wind was howling and blowing sand straight into our mouths, nostrils and ears. Absolutely nasty. And also terrifying to hit soft sand sections while on a tow rope!
This section was unbelievably hard. Riding into the wind on rough roads and being punished by the swirling sand! We hauled and from the drying effect of the wind we were working through our water very fast. With at least an hour thirty to go we were pretty much all out and you know how hard it is to eat when you have no water. And it was hot on top of this.
At the checkpoint, with 18km to go, we got a near full 1.5-litre bottle from the course director. We flattened it. About 30mins later we got two full bottles from a race official, who we stopped as he was driving down the road. He was accosted by the teams close behind us too.
A local army guy gave me and another girl a can of Pepsi, "For the girls," he said. My guys were slightly ahead so they missed out. He had told Alex that we had 8km to go and that only the next two would be as bad. We had been through a good number of kilometers where we were on and off our bmikes to push through soft sand. Some we could ride through, which was really exhausting. And I am just not as good or as fast as the guys at getting through the sand.
Finally we crested yet another dune - the desert is not flat! We climbed a lot - and seeing the finish was a welcome sight. We went straight for our box of water and each downed a litre in one gulp. As Francois says, 'I have never been so thirsty in my life!'.
We are now on a bus going through to our last camp. I do hope it is the same place as last year below Jebel Hafeet. It would be great to sleep on a grassy surface. The trip is about 3hrs and we are all so dirty and sandy and crusty. Looking forward to shower. As the guys say, we have sand in our pants and everywhere else too.
Tomorrow we start probably well before sunrise with an orienteering thing. I have packed my super dooper Petzl Ultra. I used it a bit at the rogaine in Estonia last year. The light is amazing and it should work well. Maps are not O maps - probably Google again - but should still be fun. More on tomorrow later.
As of today's stage Francois says the he didnt enjoy it - too much push bike in the sand.
Christo says that the first part was good, the resort was amazing and the second section was very unexpected - from the headwind to the sand and road conditions. He will definitely remember this day and it will make anything to come seem easy.
Alex agrees on all the wind and same stuff. He also needed to pack more food. He ate all through the stage and still ran out. He was burning through sugar way faster than he could get it in - in volumes. That said, he has not had any problems with his sugar - never too high or too low - at all, which is really great. If has decided to always keep
a stash of emergency bars in his pack for stages like his where he needed even more than expected.
Phew enough typing - I am doing these on a cell keypad. Hopefully get a little nap on bus.
Monday, December 7, 2009
More on trekking
The trekking stage kicked off yesterday morning from a desert camp. We only arrived there after 7pm, in the dark. Bus ride from Abu Dhabi took just over 4hrs.
We actually slept pretty well and were ready to hike. We ran quite a bit in the morning and decided to do the first two compulsory CPs and then decide on a strategy before the first optional.
Our first decision was made with dark in mind. The moon would only be up just after 10pm - the desert is a dark place with huge dunes. We decided to slip the first optional and head directly for the next compulsory. On the Google image the route to the optional and on to the CP looked to be very sandy and hard going. We didnt have coordinates for the optionals so we figured that if we could get to the second optional before dark, them at least we would also have GPS to aid us into the CP if needed.
At the compulsory before the second optional we saw the top teams, who were sitting out part of their compulsory rest time to avoid the worst heat of the day. They looked smashed! It turns out that the section from the optional to the CP was really difficult, especially in the heat.
Off we went, behind a French team. We were the first two of the teams to leave this third compulsory having missed the first optional. Alex took up on a great route be the optional. We overtook the French and it felt like we were leading the race because we were on virgin desert sand. A lot of the time out here we are on other team's tracks or we can see them. Here we were setting the course. We drew some arrows and wrote a few 'Hi' messages in anticipation of them coming through shortly behind us. Almost like a thank you for their tracks.
At the CP we cleared our shoes of sand (gaiters did work but not totally impervious) and got ready to leave again. The French whizzed through and left promptly.
As we were heading out, in a similar exit to our entry - to benefit from better terrain in a nearby pan, we saw the German triathletes thundering down, along our good route. They had a big lead on the chasing teams, who we could see on the far side and end of the pan.
These pans are big enough that you can make out people shapes but see nothing other than black blobs. We wondered why they didnt take our nice - and faster - route. It seems that the front teams worked out coordinates for the optionals and that they were straight lining, not navigating as such. They missed our messages...
We hit the next CP well after dark and decided to finish our rest. We slept for just over 6hrs getting up at 3.30. The moon was up and light was good. I suggested that we skip the 3rd optional and aim for the 4th, which seemed better on paper. There was a slim chance that we would make the last two optionals but it would mean no margin for error, slowing of pace or injury.
Alex gave us a great route to the optional and from these we followed a highway - and lots of teams - into the finish. When you are so close to the end it takes ages to get there. And the run was cooking hot.
Although it is winter the midday temps, until about 4pm are warm. Like Pretoria on a hot summer noon. The Europeans, coming from winter, must have really felt it.
We were in by 2pm and spent the rest of the day chilling. The toilet trucks were parked a distance from the camp - luckily we had our bikes nearby so we just grabbed them and rode back and forth to the loos and showers.
We are all in good condition. I had a bad foot stage, which is unusual and frustrating. Not so much to hamper my trekking, just sore. Blister on each foot on little toe and neighbouring toe. Triangle toes. Nasty. Alex has 'another little toe' on his little toe. Big one. I took a photo. Francois battled during this stage from the start. He just didn't settle into it but he kept going. His feet are sore and a couple of blisters. Christo's feet are in excellent condition, just tired now.
The biking tomorrow is a no brainer but will be fast. Francois has been looking forward to it all week. He will more than likely get his chance to tow me. Yippee!
It is almost 9pm and we are in bed. Pooped. Night. L
We actually slept pretty well and were ready to hike. We ran quite a bit in the morning and decided to do the first two compulsory CPs and then decide on a strategy before the first optional.
Our first decision was made with dark in mind. The moon would only be up just after 10pm - the desert is a dark place with huge dunes. We decided to slip the first optional and head directly for the next compulsory. On the Google image the route to the optional and on to the CP looked to be very sandy and hard going. We didnt have coordinates for the optionals so we figured that if we could get to the second optional before dark, them at least we would also have GPS to aid us into the CP if needed.
At the compulsory before the second optional we saw the top teams, who were sitting out part of their compulsory rest time to avoid the worst heat of the day. They looked smashed! It turns out that the section from the optional to the CP was really difficult, especially in the heat.
Off we went, behind a French team. We were the first two of the teams to leave this third compulsory having missed the first optional. Alex took up on a great route be the optional. We overtook the French and it felt like we were leading the race because we were on virgin desert sand. A lot of the time out here we are on other team's tracks or we can see them. Here we were setting the course. We drew some arrows and wrote a few 'Hi' messages in anticipation of them coming through shortly behind us. Almost like a thank you for their tracks.
At the CP we cleared our shoes of sand (gaiters did work but not totally impervious) and got ready to leave again. The French whizzed through and left promptly.
As we were heading out, in a similar exit to our entry - to benefit from better terrain in a nearby pan, we saw the German triathletes thundering down, along our good route. They had a big lead on the chasing teams, who we could see on the far side and end of the pan.
These pans are big enough that you can make out people shapes but see nothing other than black blobs. We wondered why they didnt take our nice - and faster - route. It seems that the front teams worked out coordinates for the optionals and that they were straight lining, not navigating as such. They missed our messages...
We hit the next CP well after dark and decided to finish our rest. We slept for just over 6hrs getting up at 3.30. The moon was up and light was good. I suggested that we skip the 3rd optional and aim for the 4th, which seemed better on paper. There was a slim chance that we would make the last two optionals but it would mean no margin for error, slowing of pace or injury.
Alex gave us a great route to the optional and from these we followed a highway - and lots of teams - into the finish. When you are so close to the end it takes ages to get there. And the run was cooking hot.
Although it is winter the midday temps, until about 4pm are warm. Like Pretoria on a hot summer noon. The Europeans, coming from winter, must have really felt it.
We were in by 2pm and spent the rest of the day chilling. The toilet trucks were parked a distance from the camp - luckily we had our bikes nearby so we just grabbed them and rode back and forth to the loos and showers.
We are all in good condition. I had a bad foot stage, which is unusual and frustrating. Not so much to hamper my trekking, just sore. Blister on each foot on little toe and neighbouring toe. Triangle toes. Nasty. Alex has 'another little toe' on his little toe. Big one. I took a photo. Francois battled during this stage from the start. He just didn't settle into it but he kept going. His feet are sore and a couple of blisters. Christo's feet are in excellent condition, just tired now.
The biking tomorrow is a no brainer but will be fast. Francois has been looking forward to it all week. He will more than likely get his chance to tow me. Yippee!
It is almost 9pm and we are in bed. Pooped. Night. L
Two days of desert trekking
We had a really good, but tough, desert stage. Will try to charge cell now so can email more later. We got two optional checkpoints, which is what my objective was for the team, and we finished with tender feet but no real damage. Our trek sees us in 26th place. Malaysia were 4mins ahead and Chinese are another 4mins ahead of them. We are now in 25th place overall.
Mark Joyce and his friend Peter net up at the finish. They followed us on tracking. We will stop at the resort they have been building at halfway on the bike tomorrow. Guys, thank you for your warm welcome today.
We are standing in food queue. Need to feed. Like ravenous. Will try charge phone shortly. Later. L
Mark Joyce and his friend Peter net up at the finish. They followed us on tracking. We will stop at the resort they have been building at halfway on the bike tomorrow. Guys, thank you for your warm welcome today.
We are standing in food queue. Need to feed. Like ravenous. Will try charge phone shortly. Later. L
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Trekking tomorrow
Tomorrow will decide the race. The racing so far has been split by
hours and minutes but tomorrow every optional point we miss will add 4
hours to our time. The stage will be 35 hours long and we have to rest
at checkpoints for 8 of those hours. We have gps coordinates for the
compulsories but we will have to navigate to the optionals. So we're
not expecting the desert highways they had last year. Hopefully our
gaitors work well and we can save time in the sand.
Its going to be a tough stage.
Alex
hours and minutes but tomorrow every optional point we miss will add 4
hours to our time. The stage will be 35 hours long and we have to rest
at checkpoints for 8 of those hours. We have gps coordinates for the
compulsories but we will have to navigate to the optionals. So we're
not expecting the desert highways they had last year. Hopefully our
gaitors work well and we can save time in the sand.
Its going to be a tough stage.
Alex
Paddle done!
Oh my goodness. The paddle was tough as expected and we were all
pleased that it was not an extra 30km, which we did last year.
pleased that it was not an extra 30km, which we did last year.
Unlike yesterday the sea was as flat as a pancake, which means hard
work on the water. In one place, between islands we had to get out and
pull the boat. Weird manipoud type mud stuff where we sank up to our
shins.
The only excitement came where three teams ahead got out to portage.
As far as I know we are not allowed to. This may have only been for a
specific section to the optional or in general. Not sure. Anyway, they
dragged their boats over and we paddled around.
I think it cost them all big time because we are sure that when we
came around the first team, way ahead of the third in the portage
bunch, was only just nearing the water. These boats weigh almost 50kg
without all our gear.
We were very pleased to see the finish after 7hrs on the water. I dont
know our placing. We were 28th in but this includes many teams who did
not in to the optional. These are teams who came in 2 to 5hrs after us
last night.
We may have done the paddle in the mid to upper teens. Very happy with this.
We are on the bus now to in to the desert camp. We start trek in the morning.
There is a team of triathletes here. The one guy was 2005 Ironman
champ, the girl was 2007 German Ironman champ. They have all recently
done Hawaii. So we saw the main guy yesterday after paddle when we
were on the island. We asked how his day had gone. If replied that it
was a tough day at the office. He also added, "At Ironman I do not
suffer. Today I do".
We all agree that today we paddled like champions and we are very
pleased with the day. I may be able to type more later. Till then.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Day One: prologue and paddle
We have completed the first day of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge.
We started with the blisteringly fast prologue, which is like a
stand-alone sprint race. Bike first and we managed to quick with the
main bunch. After 12km we were in the Palace Grounds and on foot to
run around and down to the Theatre, which juts out. We went there on
Wednesday and saw pimped out cars. The day was anniversary of the
formation of the Emirates 38yrs ago. People had covered their cars in
wash off stickers and spray paint. I took cool photos which I will
post after the race. Very fun.
From the Theatre we swam back to the start to get our kayaks. We took
the swim easy. As Francois admits, he sinks like a stood so we took
turns towing him and it worked out brilliantly. [I just lost the
message I was typing - I was almost done. Retyping now].
From the beach we paddled to Lulu Island and made up some places and
them a short run and back to the finish. We placed 29th. We had an
hour to eat and prep for 30km paddle.
I do get sea sick so I took Valoid earlier. Alex developed it. We
passed loads of teams anyway. Leaving the one and only CP Christo and
I got so much water in our boat (splashies were not yet on) that we
had to turn back to the beach. We figure we checked in in the mid to
late teens and after losing 30mins in total we reached the finish,
overtaking 4 teams on the way, in 26th place.
Alex went through ups and downs on the paddle. Battling nausea. The
sea was rough the whole way and we had the sails completely down. We
paddled against the current and into the wind. His alone sugar had
been good the whole day.
Christo says the triathlon was awesome but that the afternoon was
long. If likes our overnight camp on this little island.
Francois is already asleep. Comments from him tomorrow.
I was very proud of the team today, especially as we are looking so
good on the water.
Tomorrow paddle is longer and there is an optional we have to get to
avoid a 6hr penalty. The shallow water sections are really hard
because of the drag. Looks like a lot of shallow water on the Google
Earth maps. There also seen to be deep channels cut by the crazy
Emiraties. We will aim for these.
Time now for sleep.
The night before. . .
We have just had the welcoming event - short and sweet and a good
opportunity to mingle with other teams. Many racers from last year
are back; a testament to the quality of this event. Francois has
suggested this event be renamed 'How much can you eat race'. We
haven't even started the race and we have been bombarded with
excellent meals.
opportunity to mingle with other teams. Many racers from last year
are back; a testament to the quality of this event. Francois has
suggested this event be renamed 'How much can you eat race'. We
haven't even started the race and we have been bombarded with
excellent meals.
Today we went through the registration and kit check, which went
smoothly. We tried bikes on for size but will only get them tomorrow.
We will all ride in takkies tomorrow 'cos the section is a short 12km
on tar. A new addition is a 900m swim, which is talk of the town. Will
definitely be interesting. We paddle after the swim to Lulu island -
shorter than last year. The run on the island is also shorter and
devoid of orienteering. This island would rock for an O.
We have to wake up way before the crack of dawn as the buses leave at
5h30. Race only starts at 8am. The time is to prep our boats as we
have to stash all our kit for the afternoon 30km paddle to our
overnight island. We may not have cell signal there.
The paddling this year is shorter but looks to be more fun with more
checkpoints and an optional one too. If you miss the optional the
penalty is a whopping 6hrs!
For now we are all packed and ready. So we will get in a good sleep. Night.
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