MiJournal

BANK2BUSH

Monday, 20 May 2024

Bank2Bush | Stage 01

On Monday morning I got up frightfully early, drank a strong cup of coffee, ate some white rice and got a lift with Tannie Liesl and Zani to the church (Thank you!). It was chilly but goodness, we were all jumping out of our SOX excited to ride!

Bank2Bush officially started at the Middleburg dam (it was seriously chilly down there)! I remember thinking to myself, as we went winding around dusty corners and over the train tracks, “Wow, this is really it! We are really riding B2B right now.” It is always an amazing feeling when you have been preparing for something for so long; training and planning it out, then suddenly you are there – it’s almost a surreal feeling.

I had a really wonderful day.

It was my first time riding as a road captain, in a more official capacity. This was probably at highlight, overall, of B2B for me.

Stage 1 was the first time I really experienced the group from the back. I saw grit, determination and partnership being developed right before my eyes. As road captains we were equipped to tow (praise the Lord that was not part of my portfolio), encourage each people and keep the group moving. It was fun and that first stage really gave me a taste of what the next 4 days would hold.

Rolling into Elandskloof was the biggest vibe on Monday. The day had been pretty long, quite warm and by 99km we were all ready to have a shower, eat some food and sleep – this would become a pattern that remained over the next four days.

With music blasting, smiles and jokes flying around, we rode the corrugation from the Elandskloof turn-off all the way to our dorms. We were greeted by the BEST SUPPORTERS ALIVE and proceeded to ditch the bikes, collapse on the floor and share stories about the day… This would also become a pattern in our future.

Overall, the first stage of B2B was the perfect distance and elevation to really give you a taste of the event. Knowing what the next four days looked like, in profile, made everyone’s butterflies take flight, yet somehow gave us the confidence that we could indeed conquer this challenge!

Tuesday, 21 May 2024

Bank2Bush | Stage 02

Waking up on Tuesday morning I could definitely feel my upper back, my shoulders and neck knew all about the 103km ride we had done the day before. It was very chilly that morning and we all dressed as quickly as possible!

Outside our dorm room door we found pots of warm oats, urns of hot coffee and many smiling (slightly nervous) faces. Stage 2 was our longest day out and we were all aware of that.

I started riding with all my warm riding clothes on AND my puffer jacket. I only took it off over an hour into the ride… Very cold. In true ‘Caitlin fashion’ I kept my outer jersey on for the whole morning and only took off just before lunch.

Stage 1 had been pretty, scenery wise, but I could definitely notice that during stage 2, the landscape became spectacular and I couldn’t wait for stage 3, 4 and 5!

Stage 2 was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed spending the day on my bike, riding up mountains, down sand slopes and getting probably the dirtiest I have ever been; ever.

Mankele was also a treat. I would love to go back there. They had really nice dorms, really nice bathrooms and food areas – and there were bike trails!

It was super cold this evening and the socials team went to bed pretty late too… All makes for a very fun next day and great stories at the end of the trip!

Wednesday, 22 May 2024

Bank2Bush | Stage 03

This was one of my favourite days! We rode from Mankele to Merry Pebbles with quite a bit of climbing along the way!

Riding out of Mankele we were immediately faced with literally a 30km climb. We took it nice and easy and allowed our cold selfs to warm up. As per normal, I kept most of my jerseys on for the better part of the morning, only changing at lunch.

I sat at the back of the peloton with Otto, Conrad and Khayzek. We really had a good time, great chatting, joking and the usual. We stopped a few times up the climb to refill water and grab an extra snack. I had quite a few snacks up that first hill, and even while I was eating them I wondered to myself whether I actually needed them or if it was simply something to do while we journeyed up the climb. I think the latter was true.

Over half way into the ride when we had moved from the tar onto the gravel, YAY, and we began to climb… also YAY!