Day 5, October 23rd 2007

De Rust to Uniondale (Die Hoop +20km)
100km (91km tarmac, 9km dirt - still think there was more km on dirt than 9km!)

Today started with the usual routine. Alarm 6.00am. Get dressed and up the street to the, as yet unopened, restaurant. The locals were bemused to see nice white boys up at such an early hour and, perhaps more importantly, walking. In SA, in the countryside the only people I ever saw walking were non-whites (there! I avoided any risk of upsetting anyone with a potentially un-pc term).

Breakfast was great. The usual fresh fruit, yoghurts, cereal, fried breakfast, juices, toast...the list goes on.

7.30am and it was "on yer bike" as we had taught Henk to say. The ride started pleasantly enough with a short stop for a photo with the ostriches. Thereafter a gentle ride to the turn off for Uniondale. The group did eventually string out, and Shaun headed off into the distance, joined occasionally by myself and Neil. Sam corralled the group for water and nibbles.

The weather forecast had spoken of a 30% chance of rain. Whilst the sun was shining and a pleasant breeze blew we took no notice. That was until we approached Louis' home. Louis apparently has no use for a surname, nor for that matter shoes! He has not worn shoes since he was a nipper, and his one and only pair are for church.

It was the non-wearing of shoes which fascinated the group more so than his growing of plants for use in traditional medicines, and his claims that the plants could cure almost any illness. "You don't wear shoes at all?" So much for curing illnesses.

The wind was really picking up and the temperature dropped. A brief shower foretold of what was to come later on. The tour of the ostriches, and promises of riches for those who invested in the birds, over we headed onto the road again.

Henk and myself "chewed up the miles" (another of Henk's wonderful phrases) at a steady 22mph, passing the time yarning and admiring the Karoo scenery. By the time we came to the turn off onto our unsealed road, the rain started and it was accompanied by its close friend, the strong wind. Thankfully it passed, and we seemed to be riding alongside the rain clouds rather than through them.

Lunch came at the end of a fun downhill section. Sam once again excelled himself with his fayre. When the sun ducked behind a cloud you could really feel the freshness of the wind, but forgot about it when the sun reappeared.

Soon enough the lounging of lunchtime was over with an "On yer bikes" from Henck. He was clearly enjoying his new 'Irish' phrases.

Today was the longest stretch of unsealed/dirt roads and it went on, and on, and on, and...you get the picture. The scenery was straight out of a Western movie, but when you're trudging along mile after mile the novelty of the scenery wears off a bit. A passing 4WD broke the monotony occasionally.

Again it was the hills which stretched out the group, and for whatever reason I was well out in front again. Sam thankfully appeared with Rashida, who had sat out the long, occasionally bumpy section, to rest her arm. He stopped near the top of the final undulation before the tar road leading to Uniondale. Water and nibbles were taken onboard and notes compared re the long long stretch we'd just ridden.

Spirits were raised by the gentle descent to the tar road. Hanging a right we were straight into a headwind with some attitude, and within a few minutes driving rain. Head down to the handlebar and cycle away. I had stayed at the back with Anne whilst the rest of the group headed on to town. Spinning is the only option in a headwind, particularly after you've already ridden 40 odd miles. And so it came to pass that it was on to the main road to Uniondale. One final undulation and rounding the bend the town (Broughshane size) hoved into view. What a welcome sight. The rain had cleared, although it was overcast.

Catherine and myself rode into town. Just as we got to Sam's van in centre of town, the heavens opened. A squally shower which wasn't taking its time to come down drenched the final few riders. The temperature really dipped and for the first time on the cycle I felt really cold. A coffee and a bar of chocolate - a "Threesome" - helped recovery.

Henck announced that it was "only another 20km" to Die Hoop, our accomodation for the evening. Normally "only 20km" would not bother anyone. But we've just ridden about 50miles and it's now breezy and cold. That and Uniondale had seemed like the end of the ride. I don't think anyone expected what came next.

However other than wimping out it was back on the saddle. Uphill out of town was tiring on the quads but manageable, until the wind picked up and the heavy rain started. Now picture an uphill winding road, with every corner you round being met by a gust of wind and driving rain. Now picture the knowledge of another 9km uphill in that.

At one point I seriously considered chucking it in for the day, but pride and thranness kept me trudging on. I had to take off the cycling glasses as I couldn't see. That only helped a bit, as now I could hardly keep my eyes open as the rain was hitting me in the face so hard. When you know that everyone else in the group is also struggling in the same conditions, the solidarity does drive you on.

Eventually the dirt road into Die Hoop appeared. The conditions had eased a bit, but it was cold, breezy and wet. "Only a another 10k guys" Sam cheerily announced. Neil, Shaun, George and myself headed off steadily enough on the downhill section from the tar road, but soon enough the conditions slowed us down to a snail's pace.

Imagine riding on hard sand; wet hard sand. The bike only moved when you peddled, no freewheeling. I was in 1/4 most of the way on the bike. So not enjoyable.

I saw in the distance huge concrete arc walls at the entrance to a large bungalow which sat down in the valley. This is it. Yes! My spirits raised I pulled what reserves I had into the final push. Not to be! When I approached the entrance the name wasn't Die Hoop. And, when I looked at my bike computer I saw that we had another 3.5 miles to go. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Poor George coming behind me recounted his delight in seeing the entrance, only to be deflated when he saw me ride on.

Like everything else in life though, there was light at the end of the tunnel, and even a good downhill to Die Hoop. Sam met me as he headed back out towards the road, telling me that the lane into Die Hoop was at the bottom of the hill. Yea! Passing a field of zebras held no fascination for someone whose legs were now covered in mud, barely turning the wheels and dreaming of hot water and food.

Of course the laneway up into Die Hoop had to be uphill, with a fierce side wind! But slowly, surely I got to the top. The workers told me there was a fire in the main house and tea/coffee! I did wait for some of the others to arrive, before indulging.

Shaun summed up everyone's feelings about the last 20km when he said it was the lowest point in his life to date!

It's amazing though what a few cups of Rooibos tea and a log fire can do for battered spirits. Cold bath, warm shower, great food and Neil playing his travel guitar ensured an enjoyable end to a tough day.