Day 3 - mainly spent in my pants!

Hoorah - real electronic communication from Gaz today, so you're getting his own words for his eventful day today - enjoy:

After a pretty hard day 2 (day 1 of full riding) through the rain - which means deep poo to ride through, on base layer of glass like hard clay, today has been a mixed day.

I am riding in the orange team, team 3 (apparently in ability) out of 6, so opted for the 'easy then hard' route, letting the suicidal go 'hard + hard' and the sensible go 'easy + easy'.

It really Peed down in the night, so it seemed I'd made the right decision....after 2km one of the top team (marigolds) lost it on the clay-glass, causing a small pile-up, but mainly bruised egos rather than limbs.

Just stopping was tricky - I could barely keep upright and pulling away sent out rears snaking around (note from Hilary - sorry I've tried to tidy up Gaz's speed typing but I'm really not entirely sure what he's trying to say here - I guess he was sliding around a lot!?).

The Hard+Hard group were supposed to meet us at 1pm, after 3hrs, we heard they had only done 8km.....and then had a river to cross down the valley from where were waiting....so some of us were starting to fry now, in the sun, and decided we'd do what we could to help. An hour later 7 or 8 of us were in only our under crackers and motocross boots, hoyking bikes out and up the bank. Three of us ended up there all day lifting and riding bikes up to the road, as the walking wounded (one snapped knee tendon and a few on drips for dehydration) came out on foot (or not).

A great day for bonding - just as well as two others and I are on the floor tonight, so now enjoying a few bottles of 'Castle' to help the snoring (my volume that is).
Its hard, enjoyable after you've done it and the waves and cheers we get from all the kids lining the dust/quagmire roads are worth every drop of sweat and bruises!
Cheers Gaz

Day 2 - first big ride

(Hilary here as Gaz doesn't have the equipment at the mo - so this is based on his answer phone message from earlier).
Hello! A good day out today - it's very wet and muddy and my candle powered head-light isn't much use when it's peeing down. We've checked into our hotel and I've had a bath in my en-suite accommodation which I'm sharing with my room-mate, Adrian.
I'm tired but in one piece and all is well. We had our first big river experience, where we all got wet feet, wet boots and much of the day was like riding on ice.
I've had a few hairy moments with cows, goats and dogs nearly hitting me, but it's really nice and I'm enjoying it.
There are lots of smiling kids on the route and they seem to love a wave and a hoot of the horn as we pass by.
Off now for our briefing on what's coming up tomorrow......... to be continued

Day 1 - assessment

Have made it to Durban after very long journey (two flights and a coach journey) without much sleep. Exciting day with an assessment of our abilities, to check that we are all in the correct group to suit our skills. I'm in the 3rd group of 6, so I'm happy with that. Everyone is really friendly and the atmosphere is good.
Thanks to everyone for your well-wishes before I set off - will keep you posted through the next 10 days.

Offski

Well after 3 or 4 further attempts at packing, Hilary has managed to get my bags within 20g of the limit! Hand luggage is over, so plan B is to don half the stuff in there includeing my 3.5kg boots!

Thanks for all the nice comments, wishes and donations.

Now it's planes, trains, automobiles & buses for thelovely 36hr trip to Durban.

Cheers
Gaz

Helmet Cam has arrived!

Not quite sure how to use it or secure it to my helmet yet, but my waterproof (it's very wet out there) camera arrived today - I'm an IT Teacher should be a sinch.....I promise not to post the photos or films unless vetted by Mrs G 1st, but by the sounds of it, there won't be much broadband access so it will probabaly be short texted updates.

Having read all the guys Blogs who have been out there the last 2 weeks, it's certtainly going to be very challenging. Heavy rain has made it both slippy and cold at times, so a little re-think on the packing methinks. One quote of "Ever tried to ride a duck on a pond of snot?" and "another day of riding on modelling clay" are adding to the anxioty. At least I'm not alone and other similar old blokes are cacking themselves too. Can't wait to get the bag on the scales and pray it's under 20kg and then I'll be on my way to Heathrow, finally.

A small matter of a 3000 word assignment also hinders my packing, but at least I can finish it at the airport.....hmmm, course I will :)
Gaz

Packing...

After assembly my kit over the last 6 months or so, the time came today to try & get it all in one bag. No chance. We are only allowed the standard 20kg and hand luggage, so it looks like I'll be boarding the plane wearing Motocross boots and heavy jacket, at least as starters.

Having read some of the Blogs of the chaps out there already, It's definitley going to be cold, wet, muddy and bloody sloppy, so I can't afford to chuck out too much kit. Looks like it will just be 2 pairs of cacks and one pair of socks, nice.

Oh will this is just a quick test, so please check in from Friday when the whole trip kicks off with a mere 24hr travel ahead....
Cheers, Gaz