After 2 years of planning and preparation, months of intensive training, and getting equipment ready, we are ready to embark upon our epic journey.

The last month has been hectic, the training increasing intensity even further, pushing both our bodies to the limit. After 4 months of training now, it is a fine line between over stressing the body both physically and mentally, and being ready to race. Raw power and strength training, has transitioned to 'crossover' training - mixing threshold / v02 with faster tempo intervals, replicating some more of the off / on intensity that racing brings. Surprisingly some extra recovery time has also been incorporated into the program, to allow our bodies mentally and physically to take on the new stresses.

As we got closer to our departure date, we through a few club XCO races into the mix, to sharpen our skills and bring the intensity right up. Finally the Capital Punishment XCM race was thrown in, to get us in the full marathon mode before we left. A podium finish before our departure definitely lifts the confidence levels. Are we ready ? Well we are certainly fit, and hitting the best numbers and times of our lives - so we are as ready as we will ever be !

It hasn't all been smooth sailing though, with some broken equipment and a couple of niggling training injuries in the last month, we have had our challenges. Nothing that some intensive physio / massage and some compassionate sponsors can't sort out.

Packing - what do you take to the hardest MTB stage race in the world ? We don't know, but from looking at our bike bags and the looks from our Sth African mechanics, I would say we a better prepared than most. To give you an idea:

2 x Specialized Epic's (Marathon / Sworks)
Spare XX1 drivetrain (including 32T /34T chain rings)
Spare wheels set
12 x brake pads
8 x knicks / jersey each (clean set for each stage - i hate washing !)
2 x helmet
3 x MTB. Shoes
4 x Specialized Control Tyres
2 x hangers
10 x tubes
12 x water bottles
2 x camelbak

So I guess you would say we are pretty stocked up and with some love from a new sponsor EVOC Sports who provided a range of bags for us to get all our gear to Sth Africa safely.

The Departure

After a very stressful last month of work, training and packing, getting to the airport was a huge relief. We had made it - to the start at least.

Now for those who have kids, you may know what is like to travel on long haul flights. Let me just say, it is not something you would put on your bucket list. Well Brian, having no kids of his own, was going to be in for a shock. As we approached checkin with not only our bike bags, our luggage and spares, but luggage for my wife and three kids, the hostess was having one of those Oh F$&! moments. Really it ended up being pretty smooth, and with all bags checked in - we ready to get on our way.

Qantas had other ideas, with a change in aircraft, resulting in a 3 hr delay. Once on the flight, things went a little more smoothly. With some great kids entertainment options (aka movies) on board and reasonable food - the 14hrs went past event free - well as event free a flight can be traveling with a 9, 8 and 3 year old can be.

Arriving in Joberg, was a little more eventful. With 30mins (due to the delayed flight) to get 3 adults, 3 kids, 10 bags including bikes through customs, across to the other side of the airport and checked in to the domestic flight to Cape Town. Lets just say, if this was Australia we would have had no hope ! Trustingly we left all our luggage and $20k worth of bike stuff with a friendly luggage assistant to checkin on our behalf and scooted across to get on the flight. If I said I was slightly worried about any luggage meeting us at Cape Town on our arrival - I wouldn't be lying. To all our surprises, us and the luggage all arrived at Cape Town in one piece.

Cape Town has been fantastic ! With a few days to de stress and recharge our batteries before the race, it was exactly what me, Brian and the family have needed. With a great apartment on the waterfront, we are close to everything, Table Mountain outside our window, and less than 5 mins walk from anywhere !

The first day in Cape Town saw our apartment turned into a bike workshop, getting everything back together and tuned ready for a pre race spin.

With some car logistics sorted, we headed out to the Merrandal the site of the Prologue course, with the infamous Stairway to Heaven singletrack. We hooked up with a couple of Germans and went for a steady cruise around the course - great little track, with vistas over the wine valleys and views back down the coast to Cape Town. It was so good to get back on the bike after a couple of days / packing / traveling. Brian is back in one piece and feeling strong, and we are both excited just to get this started.

A pre bike checkup with our local mechanics for the race - just to make sure we screwed everything back together correctly, gave us another vote of confidence for the race, and gave us the big thumbs up in readiness for our first day.

With the family in tow, they were also keen to see some sights, so a boat cruise - dolphin, seal and shark spotting and trip up to Table Mountain filled up our next day. The $ goes a long way over here, and we are eating some of the best food ever. We will need those extra couple of kg's over the next week, I am sure. Cape Town really is something special !

One day to go before it all begins. All the other Aussie teams have now arrived. Today brings race registration and transport to the Prologue and we are ready to go. Our start time is 10:05am tomorrow, with riders going off in 20 sec intervals, over a 23km / 700m climbing time trial. Our results here will seed us against 1200 other rides in readiness for Day 1 of the main event.

Expectation, emotion is upon us - join us for the journey of a lifetime.

'Only those who risk going to far can possibly find out how far one can go. '
TS Elliot

Special mention to all that have gotten us here. Families - Taz, kids, Fiona - thank you for supporting us on our journey. Ant and Kyle (Pepper Coaching) I know you have more butterflies then us - thanks for all the answers - it is up to us now to put it into practice.

Finally the raft of generous sponsors, who have made our dreams come to reality.

8 days, 718km and 14,850m climbing

SXC Racing
http://sxcracing.com

Our Sponsors
Pepper Coaching
Cyclery Northside / Specialized
Total Auto Finance
Round the World Experts
Lupine Lighting Systems
Essential Sports Performance Nutrition
Groupe Sportif / EVOC Sports