Freedom Challenge RASA day 15

FCRASA day 15

All the riders going through the Baviaans Conservation arra must be escorted by a vehicle due the presense of buffalo and rhino in the park, with the result that there are only two time slots: 06:00 and 13:00. We had breakfast at 04:30 and set off for the gate at 05:20. It is only 4 km away, so we were ready and waiting at the gate by 05:40. We all signed in and the bakkie arrived at 05:45 and allowed us to go, following slowly.

The ride the day was from Kudukaya to Willowmore, a distance of 170 km and the long distance per day per my schedule. It also included 4 passes. To make matters worse, there was a westerly wind blowing right into our faces. The Combrinck Pass starts right after the entrance gate, so we started of with a big climb. By the time we got to the top, the sun had rissen. This was followed ny the Grasnek and Holgat Passes. The scenery we were riding through was stunningly beautiful and the road surface was rough but managable  y bike. At this point the wind was not a problem. Once we were out of the nature conservation area and in open space, we started experiancing the wind. It was not very strong but strong enough to put a brake on our progress! We also had a number of river crossings to negotiate. We reached Damsedrif at 13:10 and out at 13:35 after enjoy a wonderful lunch and Hestelle's hospitally, ably assisted by her daughter.

Now we had a 88 km drag against the wind, some correcgations, Nuwekloof Pass, some river crossings and the odd hill to negotiate on our way to Willowmore. It was a teal slog. I also ran out of water, but stopped at a farm next to the road and filled my water bottle. Two cold and battered soles finally clocked in at the Willows in Willowmore at 21:50! A long day in the saddle!