Cape Town in Sight
Friday 4th May
Elands Bay to Yzerfontein 145ish km
Cold once again this morning, and with no promise of a hlll to warm me up, I kept firmly enrobed in my down jacket.
It really feels like the closing stages now, I mean it has all week, but particularly now. I feel I am ready to finish. Some are voicing concerns over their 'return to society'. I hope I am not alluding myself when I say that I am not too concerned, I feel I have kept in touch with the outside world, and have always been accepting and aware of the fact that I will return to life after the trip. At this point, I am almost looking forward to bursting the TdA bubble - although maybe that is a subliminal method of coping with the end.
Our final leg on unsealed roads this morning. Only about 15km, along the sea front. Essentially we cut across the top of the dog leg that is the tar seal, rejoining it back where it returns to the coast. About 5minutes from camp we had to cross a large dried up river bed - maybe 150m wide. I set off determined to traverse it on bike, although soon realised that everyone was walking because of the large boulders that we had to negotiate. As so as we reached the track on the other side there was a hot dry wind. It was bizarre. Definitely didn't need the down jacket, but there was no way I was returning. I stopped and took some layers off underneath, managing to manipulate them into my frame bag. I am not sure if I have mentioned how pleased I am with the frame bag - totally recommended purchase. It is a half frame bag and is secured from the top tube. I get cold, so it enables me to wear extra layers in the morning, and take them off as it heats up. It is also a convenient and accessible place to keep mobile phone,camera, and the directions - I can get to all of them while cycling. The other big benefit is that it doesn't get in the way, or jump up and down, or come lose, or fall off - like some of the handlebar and seat bags do. It makes me happy every time I think about it.
The dirt section was particularly enjoyable this morning. The corrugations probably the worst we have had since Namibia, but this was offset by the knowledge that it was only a short section, and the sea views that flanked us as we rode along. The track was sandwiched between a cargo railway line, and the coast. We dropped down on to it through a small working fishing harbour which was interesting too. At one point a train passed that must easily have been 2km long - this was Tom's estimate- apparently carrying iron ore to where it's processed.
Most of us were riding by ourselves this morning. I think we were enjoying the moment, and reflecting on the trip. When we hit the road, the balmy warmth that had appeared on the far side of the riverbed remained. For the first time in the trip I was forced to tie my jacket around my waist. The road was fairly flat, and meandered along through scrub land, a couple of kilometres from the coast. There was a slight crosswind, but nothing major. There was an ironic reappearance of the police escort we had had in Egypt, it felt like we had done a full circle. There were two conditions to us riding today - 1. police escort in the morning. 2. riding in three groups and escorted by Tallis or the traffic police in the afternoon. It wasn't a major disruption to the riding in the morning. Fortunately, they didn't feel the need to drive right in front with the lights on. Instead, they were content bunny hopping ahead and then waiting for me to pass before leaping ahead again.
Having spent most of the morning 'enjoying the moment' and appreciating having the time and the opportunity to spend all day cycling, my spirits started to drop after about 60km. Probably when the wind became a head wind. I was just starting to think thatI hadn't seen anyone for a while when Tom and, a little while later, Allain appeared. This not only increased my morale, but also my speed. We rode together to lunch, via a bakery which we sway about 2km before lunch. Carpe diem. It looked like a bakery like you would find at home, nothing special,apart from the hot plate on the counter - the boys each bought fresh cinnamon crepes, in small white paper bags. She also had the beef mince round toasties that we saw on one of the early days in Namibia.
The last lunch! There was a group of about 10 cyclists all impatient to leave - mainly men, plus Alex. I did not want to be in that group. It was all the competitive, eager to crack on, testosterone filled men. I had a relaxed lunch and left with the next group - led by Mitch and Lesa on the tandem! I was at the back of the group. We had about 55km to camp, 45 of which would be in convoy. Most people were disappointed by the situation, but I quite enjoyed it, and appreciated the company, along with the removal of personal pressure to go fast/not stop etc. It devolved me of any self imposed responsibilities and challenges. The ride passed quickly, talking to Tom and Steph. Tom's daughter has flown out to Cape Town, and was sending him WatsApp messages. It is bizarre to think that she is less than 100km away now!
We even saw some wildlife on the ride in. There must be private game farms along the road - we spotted a giraffe, an ostrich and some kudu! And to top it all off, as we descended to the end of the convoy, Table Mountain appeared in the background.
Another seaside campground. This time in a more affluent town...with a cafe owned by a Dutch man. Steph, Aedo and I ventured up for a brief period before Rider Meeting. Everything was moved earlier this evening as there was a Mock Award Ceremony, with riders presenting staff with joke awards and vies versa. Steph was MC and coordinator for our side, so we went up to the cafe to organise the final details. Aedo introduced us to Stroopwafels, I think Ihave tried them before, they are a bit like biscuits but not. More like layers of thin waffle cone, sandwiching thin layers of syrup/caramel.
The mock awards was a nice way to end the tour. Some of them were pretty insightful, and clever - especially on behalf of the staff. I was awarded 'Bike-robatic' for my flexibly and small repertoire of bike tricks (superman and standing on the top tube). I was expecting Nutella fiend, or Bowl Queen (as I always eat dinner out of a bowl, rather than a plate...much to their amusement).
Lasagne, ice cream, gateau and an open bar...Errol was spoiling us. I was driving to my tent once again by the cold, but I think the latest riders retired about 12.30. There was some more bad news today- Stevie had to return to Tanzania early as his mum passed away (over 90 years old, with about 15 kids!), and Neal's wife and daughter wouldn't be joining us in Cape Town as his daughter is 16 and therefore needs an Affidavit to travel with only one parent. I would never even have thought of this. It s due to the risk of child trafficking, and apparently depends on the country you are travelling to. Im sure we never needed one when I travelled to Europe and the USA with my dad, or when mum, Abby and I went to Egypt. Is the world getting more restricted, or is it becoming a worse place and child trafficking is more likely?
Last night in my tent. Don and I found somewhere with minimal snorers. It also pleases me that Anton is nearby. He was next-door to me the first night we camped, and then became my accidental tent neighbour for quite a long time!
