Sondag 18 Maart 2018

Eroica SA 2018

I entered again for Eroica SA, which was scheduled to be held in Montagu again on 17 March. The principal behind Eroica is to organise race on the basis of the original Tour 'd France with not backup and on gravel roads. I entered for the long ride, which included Ou Berg Pass and about 95 km of gravel. The first 3 and the last 50 km would be tar.

It us a very low key event and although we were due to start at 07:30, we only got going at 07:46. We were probably about 30 riders who started the long ride and were led out of town by a blue prior 1960 left-hand drive De Soto!

I pumped my tyres to 5 bars in the hope of eliminating last year's two punctures. The gravel roads are generally in a good condition but it is all about selecting a good line and avoiding rocks and small sharp stones. The first 22 km to the beginning of Ou Berg Pass is undulating with a number of low water bridges to cross. The field spread out quite quickly and I am riding on my own. Up the pass I pass a couple of riders and two stationery riders who were sorting out a problem on one if the bikes.

It takes me 25 minutes to climb the pass of 5 km. After another 5 km we turn left towards Touwsriver. A further 5 km down the road is the first water table. Here we have a choice from modern day energy replacement products or "roosterkoek and pine-apple beer". I decided to go for the traditional stuff. Photo's are taken and a very relaxed atmosphere prevails. There were some riders there when I arrived and some more arrive while I am eating, including Sipo. It takes me 16 to get going again and 5 of us leave together.

The 5 of us quickly split into two faster guys followed by two mire and then me. The two front guys disappear into the distance, one guy stop with a cracked steering stem and I pass the other one after a while. The condition of the gravel road really is excellent with very few stones and the added benefit of a wind in our backs. At one point I was cruising along at 40 k.p.h. on a level road. Generally I managed to maintain about 30-35 k.p.h.

The riding is very enjoyable and the weather is perfect. It was quite cool before the pass getting as low as 13 degree centigrade, but now it is in the low twenties. We cycle past Leeuenboschfontein, where we spent a long weekend in December 2012 and 2013 with the family mountain biking and just generally relaxing.

At 85 km we link up with the R318 and from here to Montagu it is all tar. After a short climb we enjoy the pleasure if cruising down Rooihoogte. The next water table is at 96 km. Here we are treaded to "vetkoek" and mince together with some nuts, dried fruit, and dates. There even is a cold beer for those who would like one. I settled for coffee. Just before I left, Sipo arrived. The two "fast guys" from the previous water table is still here.

One leaves just before me. My stop took 27 minutes.

Shortly after leaving, the other "fast guy" passes me. The road is fairly level until we reach Burgers Pass, which once again is fast and furious. The last 25 km is easy pedaling with some minor undulations. After a while I notice the second rider in the distance. That gave me an incentive to pedal harder! As we reached the outskirts of Montagu, I had in my sights and realised that I can catch him. That happened in the main street. We cycled together and reached the finish but nit before we twice missed a turn off. On clocking in it transpired that we were the second and third in on the long ride.

What a wonderful day! Total time 6:41; distance 137 km.



A while after I finished Sipo arrived. I asked him to take a photo of me on front of the Erioca SA sign. We started chatting and when he heard I am going back Cape Town, he asked fir a lift. So Sipo and me ended up riding back to Cape Town and really had s good chat.




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