Teresa Coetzee is a lifestyle journalist for the Afrikaans newspaper Beeld and is currently taking part in the Old Mutual joBerg2c mountain bike race. She shares her experiences with us after the third day of the event.
Photo: Kelvin Trautman
Although the 123km from Reitz to Sterkfontein Dam we had to ride on day three of the joBerg2c was the farthest we had to travel to earn our daily bread thus far, there were rewards all along the way.
One of them was the jolly group of local people who shouted and danced near the single-track section down at the river. From afar, we could already hear the African lie-lie-lie and the spirit among these people was out of this world!
We instinctively knew when we entered KwaZulu-Natal because it was remarkable how the landscape had suddenly changed around us. One moment we were in the midst of the cornfields of the Free State and, the next, we had the spectacular peaks of the Drakensberg to our left.
Then there were what Afrikaans people would refer to as the “kospotte van Egipte” that awaited us at the Sterkfontein Dam race village.
I have never experienced anything like it. Besides the burgers that would give Nando’s a run for their money, there was a table full of homemade sweets that made our mouths hang open. Carrot cake, cupcakes, sweet biscuits, mini-cheesecakes and whatnot. Unbelievable.
The last 30km of the stage was certainly the most taxing. During this stretch, we had to cross a mountain (thank goodness for the beautiful views) and the wind was merciless.
By the time we got onto the dam wall, Lulu and I were sure that we were never going to reach our destination. The last six kilometres were some of the longest and toughest I’ve ridden.
Apart from the daily dose of suffering, the other thing that remains constant during this marathon race is the incredible spirit among the riders and organisers of the joBerg2c.
On every stage, we get to meet different cyclists and there always seems to be time for a short chat or joke. Similarly, the people at the waterpoints can simply not do enough for us.
What an unbelievable privilege it is to explore our beloved country on a mountain bike for nine days.
Let’s see what tomorrow holds.
Click here to read Teresa’s blog after day two.
