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Monday 5 April 2010
............ and a celebration of a year of experience
Many have asked me the question - was it all worth it?
One year ago, my previous employer and I decided it was time to part company. The Epic Caper gave me a focus to train for a life experience should new employment not come my way in early course.
I was fortunate that new employment did come my way ( but not before a month cycling in the French Alps) and so the challenge of fitting training in with work and family commitments along with other stuff became an extra challenge.
The Epic Caper brought friends together frequently to enjoy the cycling experience and share 'war stories'.
Our 'victory send off' party turns out to have had more in common with Ally's Tartan Army Epic Caper than perhaps we had planned. Like the Scotland team of that era, you could say we left the Cape Epic undefeated!
But a lot of people had a great night and we raised almost £2000 for Aberlour Child Care Trust in doing it.
At the international party on the Friday night in Cape Town many participants were pleased to meet the Scottish contenders and the camaraderie amongst all competitors was fantastic.
The night after the crash, I would be taking spin too far to say I was anything other than severely disappointed, partially for everyone who had helped us on our journey. But accidents happen. The individual ( a Belgian) was very apologetic. It was after all an accident. Some might say the Scots were a serious threat and there was a plot to stop them winning at all costs. However this would too far a stretch for even a Jason Bourne assignment. It was an accident.
On reflection the next day, we were in South Africa, in the heart of the wine region, in 30 degrees plus. What is there to bemoan!
By the end of the week we had climbed a huge pass and cycled the route of the Argus Cycle race in cluding Marshalls Peak above, visited the end of Africa - the Cape of Good Hope, and seen some stunning scenery.
And so to the question - was it all worth it?
Most definitely.
Would I do it again - not a chance!
I hope to see all 2269 blog followers on the new site - Around the world in 80 (Satur) days, coming to a sceen near you
A Sad Farewell to the Epic Caper
It's just over a year since Bigman and I were fortunate to gain entry in the 'toughest mountain bike race in the world' and what a year it has been.
This will be my last post on the Epic Caper site (except for one more to send a link to the new blog site that we are about to start!) and I suppose that I wanted to reflect a little on what the year has meant to me personally.
It has been a year that I will remember and I have a terrible memory. From the first shout of excitement as Moonwalker won our entry to the disappointment of the crash and ultimately to the realisation that this wasn't about the Cape Epic as a race it was about us as people.
I have learned so much about myself during this past year. All the events I've done have been long distance solo efforts without a team mate. This race was the first I've done with a race partner. He may say with 12 months of experience that I should stick to the solo races!! The year also wasn't just about the 2 of us doing the race. In reality it could of been any 2 of the Posse travelling.
It's not all about the guys cycling. Our support crew with Wingman at the helm have been immense. Nothing too much trouble and wise council when required. The support and friendship that I personally have found around the group that I'm proud to call my friends has made the experience one of the best. You all know who you are and you are top people.
The experience of working as a team has really helped me in life. I have learned so much from the guys and girls who supported us riding out in the sun, rain, wind, hot (not often), cold (more often) and dark taught me about playing a team game and learning to hopefully be a better person as I move on. Time will tell on that one I suppose.
Bigman was a top team mate and great to be around. We gained an intuative knowledge during the year when to speed up or slow down based on how each other is feeling. It is interesting but you definitely have good and bad days on the bike - some days the legs are lead and others when preparation has been exactly the same are dreadful. So we worked together at the pace of the slowest with the Bigman dropping back to my pace or vice versa.
The encouragement of knowing that someone is watching for you is great and I think it's something that we have in the posse.
So on to a new challenge. There will be another blog with hopefully more contributors from the posse and something that we can all enjoy and take part in. I'll leave it to the Bigman to explain the detail and I'll do the techy bits and set up the Blog......
Link to follow.
Thank you all - it's been a blast!
John
This will be my last post on the Epic Caper site (except for one more to send a link to the new blog site that we are about to start!) and I suppose that I wanted to reflect a little on what the year has meant to me personally.
It has been a year that I will remember and I have a terrible memory. From the first shout of excitement as Moonwalker won our entry to the disappointment of the crash and ultimately to the realisation that this wasn't about the Cape Epic as a race it was about us as people.
I have learned so much about myself during this past year. All the events I've done have been long distance solo efforts without a team mate. This race was the first I've done with a race partner. He may say with 12 months of experience that I should stick to the solo races!! The year also wasn't just about the 2 of us doing the race. In reality it could of been any 2 of the Posse travelling.
It's not all about the guys cycling. Our support crew with Wingman at the helm have been immense. Nothing too much trouble and wise council when required. The support and friendship that I personally have found around the group that I'm proud to call my friends has made the experience one of the best. You all know who you are and you are top people.
The experience of working as a team has really helped me in life. I have learned so much from the guys and girls who supported us riding out in the sun, rain, wind, hot (not often), cold (more often) and dark taught me about playing a team game and learning to hopefully be a better person as I move on. Time will tell on that one I suppose.
Bigman was a top team mate and great to be around. We gained an intuative knowledge during the year when to speed up or slow down based on how each other is feeling. It is interesting but you definitely have good and bad days on the bike - some days the legs are lead and others when preparation has been exactly the same are dreadful. So we worked together at the pace of the slowest with the Bigman dropping back to my pace or vice versa.
The encouragement of knowing that someone is watching for you is great and I think it's something that we have in the posse.
So on to a new challenge. There will be another blog with hopefully more contributors from the posse and something that we can all enjoy and take part in. I'll leave it to the Bigman to explain the detail and I'll do the techy bits and set up the Blog......
Link to follow.
Thank you all - it's been a blast!
John
Tuesday 30 March 2010
Sad farewell to Bigman...
Well Bigman is off to the airport uncertain of his flight and ultimate destination i.e. will he make it back to Edinburgh or be stuck in Heathrow.
It has been a fantastic caper and I suppose in some respects I owe him one. The fall with all it's pain and anguish at getting knocked out almost as we started, proved to be the making of an amzing week. We travelled and saw sights and places that will stick in the memory.
All negative thoughts were banished by our cycle around the Argus route. It was a roasting hot day and included a few monster climbs. Bigman was back on form pushing the pedals and pounding up the hills with ease. I had my usual puncture which we fixed on the Chapman's Paek climb and there are worse places to have to fix a puncture than looking out over Houts Bay.
This country is stunning. The people that we've met have been so welcoming and helpful. I love it.
We're over in a place called Swellendam staying in the funkiest guest house - it's amazing.
So we'll wish the Bigman a safe return and head off for the Epic Holiday part deux......
It has been a fantastic caper and I suppose in some respects I owe him one. The fall with all it's pain and anguish at getting knocked out almost as we started, proved to be the making of an amzing week. We travelled and saw sights and places that will stick in the memory.
All negative thoughts were banished by our cycle around the Argus route. It was a roasting hot day and included a few monster climbs. Bigman was back on form pushing the pedals and pounding up the hills with ease. I had my usual puncture which we fixed on the Chapman's Paek climb and there are worse places to have to fix a puncture than looking out over Houts Bay.
This country is stunning. The people that we've met have been so welcoming and helpful. I love it.
We're over in a place called Swellendam staying in the funkiest guest house - it's amazing.
So we'll wish the Bigman a safe return and head off for the Epic Holiday part deux......
Out of African adversity comes opportunity
It is Tuesday afternoon on a sunny Cape Town and Bigman awaits information on whether his BA flight tonight will be impacted by the strike. The Ironman has headed off with Moonwalker to the African Wilderness. We wonder whether the wilderness is ready!Today was always planned as a day for reflection. 20:20 hindsight shows the title of our adventure as wholly appropriate. It was indeed an epic caper.
As Bigman watched the cloud base known as 'the table cloth' move over table mountain against a scorching midday sun with the harbour area in front oozing with people and boats moving around each busy in their own lives, a Hagen Daz in hand, it is difficult not conclude this has indeed been an experience.
The people in South Africa have been fantastic, incredibly friendly, and always keen to assist.
The cycle around the Argus route (110km road bike race from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope and back with 30,000 participants in cluding Lance Armstrong run 2 weeks ago) on Sunday will be a memory that sticks with us both for an eternity. The climb up Chapmans Peak was awesome and the cliff side drops only served to dramatise and phenomenal vista. One of the many unplanned experiences on our epic caper.
Conclusions will be drawn on these pages over the coming days and the plans are already forming for next years Epic Caper which might include Around the World. For now it is time for Out of Africa ........................ maybe!
Monday 29 March 2010
Franschoek - A hill of Alpine proportions....
Sadly the pictures will have to wait until I return but I did capture some good one's as Bigman's rehabilitation allowed a venture out on the bikes.
I go back to Friday. It was damp and cool as Bigman and I ventured out of our fab hotel and packed the bikes into the car. We've learned that nothing is safe in the car and therefore have become very skilled at stripping down and re-building bikes.
We set off to the foodies paradice of Franschoek. It's another stunning village at the base of another set of stunning hills. South Africa is similar to Scotland except we don't get the wide expanse of valley floor between imposing hills. The pass achieved 3 dots on the map and we were reliably advised by our host Nick that it was the toughest hill climb in the county. There was one other that was equally tough but he wasn't absolutely convinced the car would be there at the end of the hill climb so after a nano second's consideration the idea was consigned to the bin.
I wouldn't say that the Bigman was 100% but he was keen to try out the bits that were still causing discomfort. So we set off on a 1,800 feet ascent. It actually proved to be fairly simple but we both enjoyed getting out on the bikes and I'll forward the pictures later to show the hill and the climb.
The blast back down was great fun and we rolled up to the cafe with pancakes at the forefront of our minds. No pancakes. Disappointed tea and coffee was ordered.
We sat watching the rain fall on the bikes when a local walked past and did a double take on the numbers - we still have the Cape Epic numbers stuck to the bikes. He stopped and spoke to us at length about biking, the race and he was interested in our story. He was genuinely impressed that we had taken part. It didn't matter to him that it was only one day. What mattered was that we had made the start line and had taken part. It was a brilliant boost to the pair of us and when he shook our hands to leave our heads were held high and I certainly felt pride at what we achieved not only in racing but making the start.
We felt so encouraged we decided to go and find a pancake place. The Cape Epic has certainly added a few more pounds than anticipated!!!
I'll blog the story of the Argus Route tomorrow.....
I go back to Friday. It was damp and cool as Bigman and I ventured out of our fab hotel and packed the bikes into the car. We've learned that nothing is safe in the car and therefore have become very skilled at stripping down and re-building bikes.
We set off to the foodies paradice of Franschoek. It's another stunning village at the base of another set of stunning hills. South Africa is similar to Scotland except we don't get the wide expanse of valley floor between imposing hills. The pass achieved 3 dots on the map and we were reliably advised by our host Nick that it was the toughest hill climb in the county. There was one other that was equally tough but he wasn't absolutely convinced the car would be there at the end of the hill climb so after a nano second's consideration the idea was consigned to the bin.
I wouldn't say that the Bigman was 100% but he was keen to try out the bits that were still causing discomfort. So we set off on a 1,800 feet ascent. It actually proved to be fairly simple but we both enjoyed getting out on the bikes and I'll forward the pictures later to show the hill and the climb.
The blast back down was great fun and we rolled up to the cafe with pancakes at the forefront of our minds. No pancakes. Disappointed tea and coffee was ordered.
We sat watching the rain fall on the bikes when a local walked past and did a double take on the numbers - we still have the Cape Epic numbers stuck to the bikes. He stopped and spoke to us at length about biking, the race and he was interested in our story. He was genuinely impressed that we had taken part. It didn't matter to him that it was only one day. What mattered was that we had made the start line and had taken part. It was a brilliant boost to the pair of us and when he shook our hands to leave our heads were held high and I certainly felt pride at what we achieved not only in racing but making the start.
We felt so encouraged we decided to go and find a pancake place. The Cape Epic has certainly added a few more pounds than anticipated!!!
I'll blog the story of the Argus Route tomorrow.....
Thursday 25 March 2010
In search of a classic grape....
Well Bigman and I headed out into the winelands with our wonderful guide, Ilene.
Ilene guided us round to 3 different wineries and made sure that we had a glass of red in our hands by 10.30am - a first for both of us I'm glad to say. We tasted a number of wines of all the different grape varieties that are grown in the regiona and learned much of the issues and challenges that this stunning country curently faces. We must of been the first Scots ever to limit the size of the samples provided and our hosts looked in shock as we stopped the liberal libation.
Our second stop was at a winery that offers specially made chocolate to compliment various wines that they produce. The first was a rich dark chocolate that was served with a shiraz, the second was a cabernet sauvignon served with rock salt chocolate (Bigman hates salt in his chocolate we discovered but somehow squeezed down the red that went with it!!!) and the third was a pudding wine with a milk chocolate. It was unusal but worked well. The coffee after went down even better.
Then it was off to Dornier - they own a plane making company as well. We didn't need any planes to fly!!! Anyway we sampled an array of fabulous wines before sitting down to lunch. Bigman has taken up food photography and is becoming a dab hand at framing picture of lasagne and pancakes. All those desperate to see the holiday snaps will now be gripped in anticipation of what will be a mouthwatering if not scenic tour of the Western Cape! Today it was fishcakes while I plumped on the local veggie flatbread.
After that it was back to sit outside in the cold breeze that was whistling round our sumptuous accomodation.
So dinner tonight might be a light affair - both stuffed from lunch.
We heard some sad news that a rider died on Tuesday morning at the race. He passed away in his sleep - James Williamson a 26 year old Australian. Very, very sad and we remember his family in our prayers.
The epic adventure continues with a trip to the coast in the morning with the aim of collecting the bikes from race HQ at night. We have decided to ride the Franschhoek Pass on Saturday - it's going to be Epic. The Bigman reckons his arm will have recovered sufficiently by then which is great news.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a wee bit warmer than today - we could do without it being a Scottish summer down here at the moment!
Ilene guided us round to 3 different wineries and made sure that we had a glass of red in our hands by 10.30am - a first for both of us I'm glad to say. We tasted a number of wines of all the different grape varieties that are grown in the regiona and learned much of the issues and challenges that this stunning country curently faces. We must of been the first Scots ever to limit the size of the samples provided and our hosts looked in shock as we stopped the liberal libation.
Our second stop was at a winery that offers specially made chocolate to compliment various wines that they produce. The first was a rich dark chocolate that was served with a shiraz, the second was a cabernet sauvignon served with rock salt chocolate (Bigman hates salt in his chocolate we discovered but somehow squeezed down the red that went with it!!!) and the third was a pudding wine with a milk chocolate. It was unusal but worked well. The coffee after went down even better.
Then it was off to Dornier - they own a plane making company as well. We didn't need any planes to fly!!! Anyway we sampled an array of fabulous wines before sitting down to lunch. Bigman has taken up food photography and is becoming a dab hand at framing picture of lasagne and pancakes. All those desperate to see the holiday snaps will now be gripped in anticipation of what will be a mouthwatering if not scenic tour of the Western Cape! Today it was fishcakes while I plumped on the local veggie flatbread.
After that it was back to sit outside in the cold breeze that was whistling round our sumptuous accomodation.
So dinner tonight might be a light affair - both stuffed from lunch.
We heard some sad news that a rider died on Tuesday morning at the race. He passed away in his sleep - James Williamson a 26 year old Australian. Very, very sad and we remember his family in our prayers.
The epic adventure continues with a trip to the coast in the morning with the aim of collecting the bikes from race HQ at night. We have decided to ride the Franschhoek Pass on Saturday - it's going to be Epic. The Bigman reckons his arm will have recovered sufficiently by then which is great news.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a wee bit warmer than today - we could do without it being a Scottish summer down here at the moment!
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