Sani2C here we come ...

Finally! I have managed to wangle an entry into the Sani2C which is about 4 times oversubscribed or at least if feels like that and, in addition, those that did it last year have preference. I had actually given up on getting in when a friend of a friend of a friend twice removed decided that he had had enough and was happy to give his entry to me. All I had to do was do a substitution and pay vast amounts of cash (R7k). Yes, that is right over seven thousand rand to go live in primitive conditions and punish myself to the point of exhaustion for 3 days in the foothills of Kwa-Zulu Natal!

Having finally obtained an entry Carl decided to join me after having talked to other people about the Sani2C and been told by all and sundry what a great race it is. I think the Sani2C is a bit like children; everyone tells you how wonderful they are to have so the gullible go ahead and have them ... only to find out that it's damn hard work and they don't go back in where they came from! Now that they have both misery and children it is their duty, having been duped themselves, to perpetuate the myth so that, in time, they too can come to enjoy others' misery!

So first up Carl had to get a new mountain bike which he bought brand spanking new; what a wonderful feeling, I imagine, to ride a new bike as shown below.

... and the same bike, now two hours older and not so new anymore!

So that was it, first mud, first inelegant dismount which I missed seeing unfortunately.

I'm actually feeling a little bit apprehensive about the sheer volume of riding that I am going to need to do in order to have an even vaguely comfortable Sani2C. Oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained!