The challange of Day 4

With rain clouds looming on the horizon we lined up the start for what was to be a day of challanging events as we tackled the 127km stage from Sorensberg to Worcster... We had a bit of a stressy morning getting organised, sorting out last minute issues with tyres and missing GPS, but once on the start line all was good and when the gun went off we were rearing to go and feeling strong. Things were going smoothly and swiftly and by the 40km our position was looking good, but with 80 odd kms to go anything can happen and it did at about the 50km mark when I snapped a pedal! De ja vuex of the Argus! We were 25km away from the next water point where there would be a mechanic and a hope for a new pedal, the only option was to carry on and try not lose too much time. But the terrain was tough, steep and rocky decents, sand everywhere, so was not going to be easy. Then five kms later the other peddal slipped off! so working my hardest for the next 20km to rest on the spindles during the down hills and running up the hills there wasn't much Roeloff could do to help . But eventually we got to the water point where was very happy to find the mechanics had pedals on hand (at premium cost) but was still using time as also had to change the cleats over, fill our water bottles and camel backs and stock up on food to see us through the final 60 odd kms. We crossed the line in about 6rhs 45min which with a lot of disappointment dropped our placing considerably down the field from 50 to 60. But we still feeling positive. is a hard race and these incidents are part of what happens when you push you bike and body over these distances and rough terrain. Time trial tomorrow, a nice short day allows us a bit of a rest and plenty of time to recover, and hopefully pull a few places back!