Arrived Friday Night, thought it better than driving at an ridiculous hour on Saturday morning trying to pack and have everything in order before the race. Started at High Africa both myself and Russell ready to get moving.
OF course Ugene had his usual starts, something to get your blood pumping. Russell Paddled to the middle of the river and of course I stood waste deep in the water waiting for the start. Having to swim out to my partner before we could start with the paddle. We had to recover a PC point along the river which was great fun in the K2 we hired from UCT guys. Beautiful stable boat that glided over the rocks without any problems. End of the Paddle leg we headed off on foot, the route we choose was not best of routes which costs as a bit in time.
Bashed our way through the bushes and came out exactly in front of High Africa to start with our MTB Biking leg. Flew through the first couple of PC points on our Bike, no problem. Started our climb into the gorge managed to get that PC without being attached by the thorn bushes. Buy now there are a few teams amongst us and we are starting out to the switchback, with ease we are able to climb knowing that we are lying in second place, bang flat and the slime is spraying all over the place, well during the course of the ride we both were gradually being covered in slime due to that terrain. Not taking much notice as I recently had changed my tyres and slime. We quickly managed to fix the puncture, replacing the tube and pumping up Russell slow puncture. Passed the other teams quickly on the down hills and again a flat. Patched up the tube and off we went again. This time managed to get our last PC . Bang Flat. This time out of tubes and starting to try and fix our existing tubes, but the holes are too big.
Because we kept our old tubes we started looking back at them to try and fix them. But luckily a team passed us in a huge truck, and well to cut a long story short, I managed to borrow a MTB from Lindsey I think a lady who had bailed from the race. But thank you, otherwise it would of been a bit of a long jog. Unfortunately Russell had a fast deflating flat which every few meters we stopped and pumped. This costing us dearly. We managed to secure fourth place, thoroughly enjoying the whole day out, but I think sometimes disappointment is hard to handle, that is on my side. As I was itching to go the entire race in the red. I loved the terrain, and the magical river. So looking forward to the next one in Langebaan.
Hay I heard Damon and his partner nearly trod on a Puffer!!! Plus I'm going to be looking at Tubeless as a option as the majority of the people with tubeless had no punctures. This was a new one for us we have never been plagued with so many punctures the last time for us was about four years ago.
Thanks Again Richard for everything. And Ugene for a well organised race.
