Once again Pieter and Illse aimed for an early start as Pieter's goal was to climb the Garcia Pass unaided! Some of the gradients were measured at 14% by Thomas' GPS.

Some of the other slower guys were cottoning on and decided to leave just after Pieter.

Our route takes us right past the Oakdale School, and next year we hpe to make a brief stop there to give the scholars something to talk about.


Riding out on the R323 towards ladismith affords a good view of the Sleeping Beauty mountain - seen on the left hand side of the road in this picture.


The Garcia Pass is an 11,8km climb with an average gradient of 6% - The GPS doesn't lie, and some sections were measured to be 14% gradient. That is steep even for a regular cyclist - for a handcyclist it is sheer torture! The view as you crest the pass, however, certainly compensates for any agony endured on the climb. Suddenly, there are no more cows grazing in lush green pastures - just the stark arid Karoo scenery, scrubby bushes and stones burnt black by the sun, and ostriches of course. Trees are really a rarity, so shade is not easy to find.


This was a very hot day with trees very scarce, so we found a somewhat deserted farmyard and made ourselves at home. Eventually the farmer's dog got used to us being there and returned to lazing in whatever scarce shade he could find. Karen seemed to be missing with the lunch so we made the best of what was left in the car from the previous day. Cellphone coverage is intermittent in this area, and we had virtually no coverage - next year each rider will carry a lunch-pack on this leg. At least Vicente was happy that the weather was bright and sunny!

Here is Jorge leaving the lunchstop on his way to Ladismith.


Approaching Ladismith you get a glimpse of Towerkop, the mountain peak with a cleft in its top.

Report for Day Five, Wednesday 20th February