April 1, 2008 — Today’s stage was another tough one. I suppose I’ve already said that a few times this week – but it’s true! The pace and the heat is taking a huge toll on everyone. Most of the pro men I’ve spoken to so far were also extremely tired after today’s race. Well the women’s teams are out there for longer each day, but at least we’ve been able to set our own pace most of the time.

When you are following and pushing and attacking on a race like this the toll is immense. Today was the first day that we were not riding alone and just setting our own pace for most of the day. The Trek-VW women had a strong day today. I’m not sure if we were just weaker than the other days, but today we had to dig in to keep up during the first parts of the stage. We all rode together up the first major climbs and mid-way into the 124km stage we were in a group with the top two mixed teams and the top two women’s teams overall.

We had a bit of tar road and smooth gravel road for a stretch and then thankfully it was time for a slower pedal for a bit. Today’s course took us through a number of nature reserves and we got a chance to take in some views. I have to say that whoever told me that a hardtail was the right bike for this course was wrong on that account. Today’s stage, like the past three days, had some really rough stuff and a number of pretty dicey downhills. The technical skills required so far on the Cape Epic are well above what I’ve experienced at other stage races I’ve done before.

We were warned today that the last 12kms would be a killer”¦ah and they were right. We finished on forest trails climbing four granny gear climbs with fast bumpy down hills. All the men we were riding with blew and it was just the Trek-VW twosome and us for that last part of the stage.

Just getting up the climbs in the searing heat (up to 45 degrees today!) was tough enough let alone having to fight a bit with another team. Well we’d all had a great ride together today and the Trek team went thru their ups and downs as well and they fought hard today, and we were pleased to roll in today at same time as them.

Tomorrow is the longest stage at 147km. I don’t imagine many will be in any condition to push too hard tomorrow. There have just been too many long days in the heat so I don’t think the pace will be too high as it won’t be physically possible. But it’s a tough choice as the slower we go the longer we have out in the heat.

Anyway I’ll hope for some smoother (faster) surfaces in places and carry over 2,000 calories in my pockets. I’ll pack three bottles with me as well. We start with three and at the three aid stations refill them with water and a sports drink that the Cape Epic supplies. I’ll also likely drink whatever I can at the aid station before we roll back onto the course. Hopefully this will be enough. I know from my roadie days doing long stage races that being able to eat well is so important for recovery. Judging from what we’ve packed away from our lunch, dinner and snacks today we’ll be just fine for tomorrow.

Canadian MTB cycling legend and Pedal columnist, Alison Sydor (Rocky Mountain), is competing at the 9-day 2008 Absa Cape Epic with her Maraton World Cup winner team mate Pia Sundstedt (Fin) and will be sending us daily reports as conditions allow for an inside look at this amazing race with 1,200 riders from 41 countries.