With the last few days of intense adventure riding. Day 4 did not get
any easier.
The routine is becoming the norm; many of the contestants are from city
backgrounds where the challenge of Quest has taken some getting used to. Added
to this, the last few days have left more of a mark on some than others. Very
few, if any, can still claim a clean score sheet regarding trips to Mother
Earth. Fortunately, the Africa Twin is made of sterner stuff as only two hand
guards are a little worse for wear.
A terrific unseasonal storm blew into the
overnight camp, just outside Springbok,
leaving many with precious little sleep. This was a worry for Hardy from Specialised
Adventures and his team as safety is a primary concern.
The route started east down Spektakel Pass
whilst thunder clouds and lightning threatened. Hardy had threaded together a
tricky but scenic route through many private properties that the local farmers
had graciously opened their gates for. Fortunately, the stormy cloudy weather
was a blessing as just the week before, the recce team had experienced 45
degrees in the same stretch.
It was apparent that the contestants were well
and truly bonded with their steeds as there was little trouble now to be had
from tricky off camber rock climbs or deep sand tracks.
Just past Tweerivier the group entered the
little known Kheis trail; a stunning path that winds its way through the
mountains between Kamieskroon and Garies. The whole route prompted one very
experienced Adventure Riding contestant to quip once into the camp, “That’s the
best day of Adventure Riding I have ever done!”
With another long satisfying day in the saddle and
two evenings of sleep deprivation from stormy weather, the teams were given the
night off from the planned presentations and tests.
Tomorrow marks only the midway point of the
contest. There’s still a long way to go and much to see!
