Story for Tour Durban - Day 5 Amashova

The Tour to Durban - a 650km 5 day cycling adventure, that had the tag "one day I will do this". This year my club invited it's members to join the tour, and I felt it was time.

Then 2 weeks before the tour started, i was totally broken on a 150km club ride, and I seriously considered pulling out. I decided to do a 100km ride on my own the following week, and restored some confidence.

Day 1 of the tour was extremely tough. Left home at 4am, planning a 210km ride. It started well, but cycling in blazing sun, 38 degrees with a hot wind blowing is not easy. Even my Garmin gave up, inspiring me to call it a day at about 155km, and getting into the support vehicle.

Days 2 - 4 where much easier. Distances gradually got shorter, and I felt stronger with each day. Day 4 was a lovely ride with amazing scenery.

Day 5 was the test - Amashova cycle race. I started in Group E, and latched onto a group of riders just after the start. This group was fast, and I felt strong, pulling the group at various times. Entering Durban, the pace started to pick up, and the group whittled down to about 14 riders with a few kilometers to go. It felt exhilarating going into the last kilometer, ending with a powerful sprint to the line where I finished 3rd in that little pelothon.

There was a tinge of disappointment a few minutes after I crossed the finish line because I did not want to stop cycling. I felt strong.  My race was over. My adventure was over. My freedom from work and commitment was over. 

I managed to raise a fair amount of money for charity and I am grateful that I had the chance to experience this awesome adventure.