Shortie

Today was always going to be a short day. I have had 3 full days of riding and covered about 380 odd kilometers until today. This is what makes me happy. Riding my bike and keeping away from towns. 

One new thing in this trip is I have stopped using my Garmin for the day. I don't need to know any details while I am riding. Feel strong, ride further and faster. Feeling toilet, slow down and look for a spot to sleep. Riding really is that simple. It is great to know the details once you are done and I have an app for that. But while you are enjoying the day live by the above rules. 

So I get up. The toilet is required. I am staying in the bush. Oh crap! Literally! I find a spot with a view I am sure no toilet in the world has. The business is done. Covered with sand and rocks. No much else I can do. The previous days clothes are fitted. A jacket this time. For good reason too. You see being in town and cold is fine. No real issue. Being in the Cederberg with a wind chill factor of ball freezing temperature you need a little help. So I make my way out of the trees and onto the road. It is quiet. I like quiet. Boom. Boom again. The legs are in fantastic shape today. Pity I am only doing 25kms 😅

Up, down, up, it is it what the doctor ordered. Fun to the degree of laughter and smiles for miles. More tailwind. WTF. Who did I piss off to get this lucky. I take my time and stop here and there taking in the views. This place makes me happy. I need a job somewhere here please job handerer outerer. Over a small pass and what do I see? I mean it is 8.30am what is going on. I almost have to stop and wipe my glasses. Can it be. Are you sure? To be sure are you sure...

It is. 2 cyclists. A lady and a man. Not sure how they go together but who cares. They have just left Mount Cedar. I stop. They stop. We get chatting. For some or another reason I point out the obvious. The headwind they have. My tailwind 😅😅 I feel joy right here for some reason. Anyway we have some small talk. They are also touring. However they obviously have jobs as they are staying in accommodation with food. I mean what's the fucking point. You may as well be in a car then. (ok ok I am very jealous) they seem to be having fun which is all that really matters I guess. The girl can't stop talking. The poor fella just nods his head and agrees for the most part. We say our goodbyes and I wish them well. They do the same. It was a blissful meeting.

I have one climb left to my destination. Last time I did it fully loaded it took me 58 minutes. I managed to knock nearly 10 minutes off of that today. I won't say it was the tailwind and neither will you 😉

So I find myself here. Oasis. It is a regular spot for me. I like it. It is cheap. It is friendly. And it has cold beers.

Good bye. 🍻🍻