half of 360.......

As part of our training and prep for Expedition Africa, Theresa and I decided to do the 360one half.  We figured that 180km would be a good enough ride and there was no need to kill ourselves or risk injury doing the full 360km.

The day before the race was one of those Karoo days that you try and avoid at all costs. One of those fluid sapping, skin shrivelling, just plain ridiculously hot days! Jip, the mercury peaked at somewhere around 39 degrees!  

After some fabulous braaing and kuiering at our little Karoo camp site in the middle of Oudtshoorn town (this could only be achieved by reknowned Oudtshoorn outdoor Legend Katot Meyer and his wife), we rested up for what was going to be along, hot day in the saddle.

Fellow rider (who as a team of 4 did the relay option...on singlespeeds!....their team name being rather apt....'Special kind of Idtio!') Christo dropped us off at the start of the 180km, officially the halfway point of the full ride.  
The second half according to the profile is definietly the harder half, with not alot of flat ground (no...the Karoo is not flat!)

After riding the first hour in the dark, we were treated to a spectacular Karoo sunrise. The cool crisp air started to show hints of dissipating, to be replaced by that heavy hot air of the day before. Luckily for us, the clouds didnt burn off till much later in the day, so that temperature stayed within managable parameters.

After the very very very (did I say very?) long and slow climb up the beautiful Rooiberg pass, we were treated to an equally long and fast descent towards Calitzdorp. Here we filled up and headed off towards the mighty Swartberg.  The clouds had now burnt off and the little streams we rode over periodically started to look more and more inviting. Eventually we succumbed. It was bliss! But sadly, we couldnt lie around all day tanning, so it was back on the bike for more dust and heat!  A rather close encounter with a very large but beautiful Cape Cobra saw a much needed spike to the adrenaline!  
This section of the ride was truly beautiful and it wasnt long before we hit the last waterpoint and the knowledge that we only had about 20km to go. Now with a nice headwind to add insult to already tired legs, we soldiered on, and crossed the finish line in just on 11hrs45min...still smiling!

Thanks Trixie, it was a blast! I'll go play with you again anytime!

Thank you to Squirt for keeping us lubricated!