Saturday morning: I hear the telltale sound of gusting wind bashing against my window. It's fine, Windguru promised it would only be 20-25kph. It bloody wasn't. Double that is what it was.
I had some nasty intervals that needed to be done on a 20 minute incline. In a hilly area, you'd expect that would be relatively easy to find, but the hills are either too steep to build a road over or too short to last 20 minutes. Except for one - Table Mountain. There's a climb known as The Blockhouse, it starts at the bottom of the city and winds its way along jeep track to an old pump station known as the king's blockhouse. It's a great climb and just what I was searching for for my set of 20minute z4/5 intervals, those are pretty much near max and full maximum for those wondering.
It had already taken me 15 minutes longer than usual to do the 15km ride to the base thanks to the headwind, but now it was really pumping as it curls over the mountain and gathers momentum on the lower slopes.
'Bad decision' is what I though as I pedaled into the swirling, gusts of wind, it felt like I was being pelted with a fireman's hose, pushing me back as I tried to move forward. At one point I was standing and pedaling but it was more like I was doing a track stand than actually moving. Nuts.
Never have I felt so frustrated by a single element as I did on Saturday, multiple times I questioned my sanity and why I put myself through this torture.
Wake up Sunday: the wind has subsided and replaced with a layer of mist that lasts about 45mins before a beautiful day emerges, windless and perfect. Days like this restore my faith and sanity.
I took the roadie up to Chapman's Peak and completed my Gran Fonda Strava achievement for the month, clocking up 100.7km on the day. Check out the view taken from the lookout point. Some of the early mist is still visible over the distant hills.
After that exciting weekend I have a couple rides during the week and then some travel for work. I'll post some stuff from my real job a well. It's car related so keep a look out as we crown the best cars in the country.
