Stage 6

Only 2 stages to go!

Well after the 35 degree heat that we experienced in the first 5 days the weather on stage 6 came as quite a shock. It was overcast and very chilly.

Getting to breakfast was made easy by hitching a lift from Andrew Maclean in his Porsche Cayenne, a very nice vehicle!

The stage for the penultimate day was just under 90km long with a nice drag back up to Graskop via the climb to God’s Window. I believe that the view from God’s Window is spectacular, I will have to take other peoples word because when we got there the mist was so thick that it was impossible to see further that 10m ahead.

Stupidly we thought, after the previous days, that the day was bound to warm so we didn’t take the prototype Stratos Jacket with us. What a mistake. Climbing God’s Window the temperature had dropped to only 12 degrees. Worst of all when Pierre came past in the car and we asked for the jackets he said he had given them to Tony Rominger and his buddy, the Astana manager, already!! Neil and I had worn these jackets at the start and played around with the “revolutionary new (REGISTERED) design that allows you to quickly unzip (one handed) and stow away your jacket sleeves whilst still riding - leaving you with a well fitted wind vest for warmer days” and must admit they are really cool jackets. It is just a pity we couldn’t test them on the way down God’s window ;-) Pierre did save us in the end and gave us the jackets he was wearing!

Unfortunately Neil was really struggling with his Achilles and was in a lot of pain and with the weather, making it to the finish was the day’s only goal.

Luckily the ride from Graskop was predominantly downhill and with the company of some of the vets and ladies (no we didn’t pace them, so stop shouting at us) we got to Sabie with an average speed just on 30km/h.

Once again we went for a massage. Neil booked a double session to see if he could get his Achilles right for the final day.

For the second time of the tour we were staying at a school. This time however the organisation was great and very comfortable.

Because most of the riders were scheduled to head back home soon after the final stage the main presentation was held at the supper after stage 6. Once again supper was awesome. After eating we moved towards the bar to watch SA take on England. A few beers were also allowed seeing there was only 1 stage left!

Only 1 stage to go! The final hurdle.