Mountainbiking is really popular in this area and new races on new routes are popping up all the time, there are endless gravel roads, single tracks and hils around here!!

Yesterday it was a new race at the Solms Delta wine farm between Stellenbosch and Franshoek. It was a route of 20 km and one could choose to do 1, 2 or 3 laps. The first 5km was on tar and the rest on gravel roads (and sand roads) so it was going to be a fast race!

We started in a big bunch so the first 5km was bunch riding (was I back in a road race???) and as soon as we hit the gravel road the bunch split in to pieces. It was very windy so it was important to find a group to ride with not to sit in the wind too much. On the first lap I was on my own 150 meters behind a group of 3 guys for a long time, very irritating, I finally caught them and managed to ride on and off with them for the rest of the 60 km.

I managed to be the first lady in, Leana De Jager (Bizhub) finished 5 minutes behind.

One of the guys I ended up riding with was my team partner for next weeks Joburg2c, it was the first race we both did at the same time and we had not decided to ride together, it just happened and it was a very good sign for next week, means that we are very even!

The big adventure is starting on Friday, we will be riding from Johannesburg to Durban in 9 days, the stages are between 75 – 125 km and it is the longest stage race that I have ever done. We will ride through beautiful areas and stay in tents at the finish / start venues which sometimes will be at remote areas. I will not be able to update the website but you can follow us at www.joburg2c.co.za we are team number 6 and our name is “Alluvia - Give me a chance mixed team1” We will be riding for the charity Give me a chance.