As we set off from the lovely Leon's the sky looks a little foreboding! The temperature has dropped to 20 deg so we don arm warmers thinking that this feels a little chilly!
The first part of the ride is up the Tradouwpas which is an amazing loopy windy climb. In the last week there have been bush fires which are not only evident in the burnt vegetation but in the strong smell in the air. It is still an amazing vista.
At the top it seems that Stuart is wanting to talk cannondales again (Holly has a very nice cannondale, bit of bike envy here)
After the climb there is a fabulous loopy downhill and then a brilliant straight section with a strong tail wind. Although not at the front of the group I am definitely riding as part of the group on this section.
It's a great feeling, especially as Stuart had to do a double take when I turn up at the stopping point in very definitely not last place!
We then have a bus transfer to a coffee and cake stop. On the bus there is a general consensus that we swap seats every time we sit on the bus. This creates a very convivial atmosphere with generally lots of chatter. This was definitely the case on the way to the coffee stop, but afterwards there was more snoozing than chatting!
Next we drive to the lunch stop which was in an incredibly windy lay-by. We had to shelter behind the bus away from the wind, which did not bode well for the afternoon ride.
The first part of the ride we did indeed get battered by winds, and as hills were involved as well I got a bit behind and Stuart got a puncture as well. We hopped on the bus and nearly get blown away as Layla loads the bikes on the trailer.
We were only 1/2 mile from the stopping point, so probably hadn't needed to jump on the bus at all!
The next part of the ride was through amazing scenery. Firstly through really arid farmland where the evidence of the drought was very visible and then gradually the landscape turned into beautiful verdant green hills covered in vineyards.
Unfortunately, as we were still being battered with cross winds and the route was mainly downhill I spent the whole time focussing on riding and didn't stop to take any photos (how times have changed!)
We arrive in the seaside town of Hermanus where we head to a lovely harbour seafood restaurant.
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