Day 3 continued the high standards set by day 1 and 2 in terms of route food and hotel.
The day started with what the guides described as the South African version or Roubaix. I would describe it as a dirt road. Sadly it had rained last night so that not only was it filthy the road was soft and difficult to ride on. My bike got absolutely filthy, the chain was squeaking, the brakes screeching which didn’t please me a great deal.
After about 2 miles we were back on decent roads, I tried to clean it up a bit by squirting it with my water bottles but it didn’t work too well and I had to send the next 20km trying hard to ignore various noises.
After a couple of really nice technical descents and climbs I got to the first water stop and managed to give it a bit of a clean. I wasn’t completely successful but at least it stopped the worst of the noise.
After drinks we set off and soon began the main climb of the day, a 10 mile ascent with a steady 7% slope. It took me about an our to complete and I was quite pleased as I was the first to the top. After a few photos we headed back down stopping for a regroup half way down then dropping into the valley where we stopped for coffee and a toastie.
After lunch we pretty much rode as a group along some rolling roads with some strong winds helping and hindering at various points along the way. We saw some beautiful coastal towns today and were treated to some lovely views and I even managed to see some SpringBok and an Elephant with her young family. (Sadly it was plastic)
About 5km form our hotel we came across a field of Ostrich which was a bit weird as they ran towards us hoping we’d feed them.
The Hotel tonight in set aside a sea inlet with a lovely pool and bar facilities with beer a pound a go, I’ve got my own room tonight which is massive and would sleep a family of four.
As I sit here typing the crew are washing my bike! They are bloody brilliant, nothing is too much trouble.
Dinner tonight is in the hotel.
Stats today 62miles and 6000ft of climbing
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