The North wind doth blow

Balmy weather we're having! An amazing evening in Bethesda was followed by a restful night next to the fire place on the tennis club floor. Our party left Bethesda crossing the suspension bridges over the Gats River and it was soon Stylkrans, our first climb of the 800m we were to do today, in the 97km. The view looking back over the valley was glorious as it always is, but to catch the peloton of 42 riders on the switchbacks with Compasberg as a back drop was very special. The ride to our first water point at Rietpoort, 25km was incredibly pretty, but the NW was beginning to show its teeth. The waterstops have been incredible! The next 30km were to be some of the best anyTrans Karoo rider in the past could ever have ridden , with riders clocking above 60km per hour with the wind behind them on the flats towards the Murraysberg road. The jeep track thereafter was technical, steep and one had beutiful vistas of the valley below. We all pulled in to Rheboksberg, Greig and Lynn Rose Innes and were treated to roostekoek, wors and pumpkin soup in the shelter of the barn on the hay bails. What a waterstops, wow! The climb out over the mountain was my favorite part of today, with views of the Camdeboo from the top and a technical descent to the Kroons farm. The turn into the wind for 10km was tough going and the Bothashoop water point was a most welcome stop, again in the shelter of Paul Merrifields guest house. Well, what a finish it was. With the wind behind us the last 25km was an amazing way to finish a great day cycling through, Gods country! Trenly Spence and Willmarie, welcomed usvto their farm, Kriegerskraal, andvWillmarie had bravely and successfully joined us from Bethesda. The local farmers joined together to provide the most delicious lamb Braai, chops so tender and flavour some, Malva pudding and all the trimmings. Several beers were shared until late by some, but really, what an incredible welcome by more very special Karoo people.