116km
3000+ m climbing

SXC Racing finishing time 06:34:24

Today was rated the biggest and hardest stage of the Cape Epic - and it was!

For me, starting solo I was relegated to the second start group, which meant I wasn't starting with the fast guys. I lined up on the front row, with the expectation of a fast start so as to quickly close the 10min time gap on the first group. The start gun went off, and we were racing into a foggy mist. After about a km I looked over my shoulder and wondered why there wasn't anybody in front of me. After a quick discussion with some nearby riders, I then realised that these guys were vying for 150th - 250th position and getting to the front wasn't the priority, finishing was!

With that I continued to try and drive the pace as fast I could sustain, and by the first water point about 29km in we picked up some back markers from the first group. By now I was totally spent, and still had just under 100km to go and about 2500m climbing.

As we approached the first major climb of the day, about 600m of climbing, I went into conservation mode. Just tap it out and get over this monster climb. The surface was good but the average gradient for the climb was around 10-12%. By now the temperature was soaring. The climb to the infamous Rusty Gate was going to be a long one. Still riding solo, but by now I had climbed to around 100th position overall, and had started to see some familiar faces from the other teams. We worked together motivating each other to get over this climb. Its one thing I will take away from the epic, the people you meet around you, not just your team mate, just trying to get it done. Yes there is competition, but the days are so hard that everybody at some stage has to work together just to finish.

Summiting the climb was amazing. The views back over the country were stunning, and we were officially at the highest point in the race - Rusty Gate. I am still looking for the rusty gate, I am sure it is there somewhere. Would love to come back and do some cycle touring of the area - maybe even take some pics if I get the chance.

The next 2 hours on the race profile looked reasonable compared to the massive climbs at the start and finish. It just showed three spikes. These spikes were, in my opinion the hardest. Super steep 30 degree plus gradient and loose rocky surface. For the non pros that meant walking - which I hate doing - the legs were burning and the sun was beating down. When was this going to end.

The last climb of the day was another 400m climb that took us over the saddle in the mountain range and into the next stage town - Oak Valley. The concern was you could see on the horizon the saddle - and I say horizon - as it was a long way away. What I thought was going to be a 5½ hr day at the 50km mark (got there in 1:50) turned into a torturous 6½ hrs. Summiting the final climb was a get momentous, but by then I had no interest to take in the scenery i just wanted to get the hell to the finish - which thankfully had a general trend downhill.

The day as a whole was spectacular. Met some great riders, enjoyed some fantastic scenery, and it was a great achievement to finish a stage as significant as this. Now time for the physio to get me ready for what is supposed to be an easy 88km / 2000m FUN day.