Tankwa Trek 9-12 Feb

Tankwa Trek, #ARideLikeNoOther, my 6th one, never disappoints on how hard the riding is here in the Koue Bokkeveld Noth of Ceres. The Dryland team (who are like family as they also organise Atta and Pioneer) always put together a great event with base camp at Kaleo Guest Farm.

Thursday is an early traditional coffee and then the drive to Kaleo with a brunch stop. Registration and sorting out bags and bikes in the heat and dust before a 3 o’clock 30 km stage 1. A stage starting at this time in the heat is always a wake-up call to conditions and terrain for the next 3 days. Stage 1 was hot, dusty, rocks, sand and fast. We were all happy to finish safely a little apprehensive for the next 3 stages. I didn’t feel good for the first half of the race and later worked out that it might have been dehydration before we even started riding.

Stage 2 was a 6:30 start to the Witzenburg valley. This could be described as one of the hardest days with lots of very hard technical climbing. The last stretch home is back up the pass which is always in the heat. Waterpoint change to the end f the tar section was new. Always amazed at the hammering the bikes can take. Those with wrong tyres or bikes really suffered. At water point 2 left my bottle behind! had to come back down from the climb to fetch it. Would never have made the next water point without it.

Stage 3 is Marino Monster day. This time a route change down the old wagon trail which was extremely fast. First water-point was 35 km so a long first section. Riding between water point 1&2 tapping away, I really asked myself why I was doing this race again. I was riding solo and it is tough. After water point 3 is the start of old wagon rail climb which went well. I never like the section from the top to the water point at the bottom of the Marino – 8 km of climbing to the mast. I had a mind block near the start of the climb and had two short walks. Then got into a rhythm and did my send best climb time! The route down was hell, super technical and extremely fast.

Stage 4 comes after 3 days of hard riding. A new route similar to day one. Relentless short climbs, rocks and sand. a proper way to finish. Total race time over 4 days 16h54:05. Super tough event used by professional teams to test themselves before Cape Epic.