Day 4, October 22nd 2007

Oudtshoorn to De Rust
65km (65km dirt/unsealed)

Today was to be a gentle 42km run with a few of Henck's, by now infamous "undulations". He had got so much stick the first day about his "undulations" and his way off estimates as to distances that everytime he went to say "undulations" he would break out in a big smile! He then wondered why we never believed him when he said there was only one or two "undulations"!

First though on the agenda was a transfer to visit the Cango Caves. You know the sort of thing...stallectites...stallegmites (before you start, I don't even care if those two words are incorrectly spelled!)...lots of guff about 263 million years ago. And...a wonderful guide, who in a Jamaicanesque accent showed us the organnn piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiipes! Each time he referred to them it was just a joy to hear. Not sure if that was how he normally pronounced the word, but we didn't care!

We were booked in for the Adventure Tour, and so we dandered past the tour bus herds, and on into the inner depths of the cave system. Our guide, Crystal takes theses tours three times a day all week. It was up Jacob's Ladder (a steep metal fixed ladder) to the upper level, through the crouching chamber, then sideways through a very narrow passage, before we got to the Devil's Chimney. This is a passage into which you feed yourself upwards, arms outstretched and climb the 20 feet or so to the chamber up above. The ladies went first, with only one getting slightly stuck at the feed-in stage. Shaun went ahead of me and there was much heavy breathing! The calcium deposits were so smooth it was like trying to climb up lumpy marble.

Finally there was a flat crawl on your belly section, before exiting backwards through the Letterbox, and out the sideways passage etc.

Yes, the biking had to start sometime, and so it was we headed down the road, past the t-junction and restaurant from yesterday, with the same, albeit less strong headwind, to our turnoff just before the Le Roux river bridge. After a brief stop at the dam, near the top of a short but sharp undulation, it was onwards to lunch.

The undulations started to space out the riders again and so it was I ended up well in front, suffering a bit in the heat, but enjoying the steep downhill and through a small drif (ford). It was then that the undulation to end all undulations hoved into view (or so I thought). It was just pure uphill, with lots of sand (dry loose dirt). Riding proved, for me, impossible, as the wheels just slid and spun. So I got off and pushed. Not that that was any easier. Much stopping and mopping of brow followed. My napper felt like it was burning and, as I say the sweat was dripping off my head! Not pleasant.

Great! Near the top! Nope, just a chance for the undulation to turn right and continue on its ever steep path to the top. Eventually I got to the top, not amused. Rewarded with a longish downhill I took on the next undulation with determination and won. And another downhill was much enjoyed, especially when I got to ride into the range of the sprinklers in the adjacent fields. So cooling.

Thankfully I was paying sufficient attention that I spotted Sam's van parked underneath some trees at an abandoned property...Neil and George rode past at speed when they arrived, and almost rode on, but for much howlering.. (George wondered how the two local boys who shouted after him knew his name - they had heard us shout).

Sam asked, "What are you doing here?". I told him it was the lunch stop. "But you're too early!". Well I'm not going back up that hill! He was only in the middle of preparing lunch and was much perturbed by my early arrival. Neil and George's arrival added to his pressure.

Our attention was diverted when we were alerted to Rashida having come off her bike on the downhill section before the lunch stop. After careful examination by Dr. Sophie, Rashida was brought to the lunch stop and fully examined and treated....after lunch being taken to hospital for examination (thankfully no fracture of the elbow).

Shaun displayed his prowess on the downhill sections after lunch, seemingly oblivious to the brakes on his bike. He was somewhat concerned when he met three young men on the road, one of whom was carrying a scythe! They said something to me as I rode past (quite quickly I might add) but I didn't stop to seek a translation....my Xhosa/Afrikaans not being up to scratch.

The weather was warm and pleasant, and the scenery just wonderful. Bike riding allows you time to soak in the scenery and enjoy each moment. We stopped briefly as I'd forgotten to buckle my helmet, when this doggie wandered out from a house, siddled up to me for a good patting, then over to Shaun for the same treatment. It really did seem quite upset when we rode off and left it!

Eventually we hit the tar road, and as a group we headed up the hill for De Rust. Henck led the way followed by yours truly. The final uphill (sorry, undulation) strung out the group once more. The long line of riders free wheeled their way into town and into Olivier's Rust - our accomodation for the evening with terraced chalets with a pool, cleaned expertly by Aideen and Mary! One thing we did notice in SA was that no matter how small the town, it always had at least one high quality restaurant, coupled with first class service...not that I'm making a point about Northern Ireland restaurants or service!!!