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Out of the frying pan into the .... valley of the baboons
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08-10-2016 4:34pm#131 weeks to the start of Expedition Africa. It'll be my first ARWS race abroad and I am soooooo excited about it!!!! It's being held in the Eastern Cape of Africa and it looks A - mazing
This is from the web site:
BAVIAANS AND THE SURROUNDING AREA OF KOUGA
"Teams will trek, kayak and cycle through extremely remote areas and venture where few humans have ever set foot before. From the mountains to the sea, the journey the destination.
The Eastern Cape is fondly known as the Adventure Province, and includes the Baviaans, Kouga, Tsitsikamma, Addo, Sunshine Coast, Karoo, Great Frontier and Wild Coast, and the highlight of the 2017 route of Expedition Africa will be the Baviaans.
The Baviaans, home to the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biggest wilderness area in Southern Africa is the highlight of this year's 500km route. The 225 000 ha mega-reserve boasts unspoiled, rugged mountainous terrain with spectacular landscapes.
The road through the Baviaanskloof road stretches from Patensie in the east to Willowmore in the west (197km) and nature lovers taking the untarred road find an almost pristine wilderness. The road itself is spectacular but very rough in parts. The seasonal rain can sometimes cause wash-aways and it is ultimate 4x4 territory.
The Baviaanskloof is a 75km long valley of varying width and depth that lies between the parallel east-west running Baviaanskloof and Kouga mountains. it is the third largest conservation area in the country, characterized by remarkable scenery, owning to the high geological, topographic and climatic diversity. Plant life is prolific and diverse with proteas, pre-historic cycads, giant Outeniqua yellowwoods and at least 70 succulent species growing in the Kloof. It is part of the Cape Floristic Kingdom.
An estimated 2500 plant species, including 20 endemic species, represents about 10% of all the plants in South Africa. It further boasts 33 endemic reptile species and 9 amphibians endemic to south Africa. More than a third op all south African bird species are found here. It boasts 7 of South Africa's 9 vegetation biomes, it is an ecological treasure.
Cape Mountain zebra, black rhinoceros, red hartebeest, buffalo and eland have since been re-introduced in addition to existing bush pig, klipspringer, grysbok, grey rhebok, bushbuck, mountain reedbuck and duiker. The low-lying valley slopes and bottoms are a haven for bush loving species like kudu, bush buck, common duiker and Cape grysbok. Buffalo tend to lie up in thick ravine bush during the day and move up into the densely vegetated slopes at night to feed.
The high-lying grassy plateaus and fynbos covered mountains are home to the red hartbeest, Cape mountain zebra, mountain reed buck, grey rhebuck and klipspringer. The eland are the great wanderers, moving over vast distances and utilizing a variety of habitats.
Caracal and leopard are the main predators in the area. Although caracal may occasionally be seen, the sighting of a leopard is still a very rare and noteworthy event (recent evidence suggests that their numbers are increasing).
Cape clawless otter, bushpig, aardwolf, aardvark and a host of other smaller mammals are still reasonably common despite being seldom seen.
The most ubiquitous species must certainly be Chacma baboons. They seem to have been just as plentiful, if not more so, in earlier times. The Dutch word for baboon, "baviaan", gave the area its name.
Baboons are reported to live for about 45 years. They are quite vocal animals as they roam around in search of food and bark alarms when they see a potential threat.
South of the Baviaanskloof Mountains lies the Kouga, the eastern gateway to the Garden Route. It includes a 600 km shoreline, known as the Coastal Cradle of Mankind between the Tsitsikamma in the west and the Van Stadens River in the east. It includes the towns of Jeffreys Bay (famous for its perfect surfing waves), St Francis Bay, Cape St Francis and Oyster Bay. It is a major international, national and regional tourism attraction.
The Gamtoos River Valley is the eastern gateway to the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Reserve, and is characterised by wide, fertile flood plains associated with low-lying land and steep less-fertile slopes. The towns of Hankey and Patensie, Loerie and Thornhill are focal points of this high-potential agricultural region.
The climate of the area is subtropical, which makes it conducive to a range of outdoor activities. Rainfall varies between 650 mm per year (St Francis Bay area) to 400 mm (Gamtoos River Valley)"
At the moment I'm not in great shape. I did a trail ultra in the glen of aherlow 3 weeks ago and it was tough. I wasn't properly trained for it and it's left its mark. There was a lot of hills. The uphill took it out of my glutes and the downhills trashed my quads. I have never come out of a race in such bad shape. It took two weeks before I was able to walk properly and I still have pain when I run. It was worth it though. I loved it
I started back on the kayak erg and the turbo this week. I've kind of committed to running xc with the club and I managed to hobble around the county novice last week but it was not pretty. I was sore all week after it and I did a run last night in the track and I'm in a bad way today. Intermediates is next Sun and I know I shouldn't do it but I probably will
I have an appointment with the PT on Tues and I'll see how that goes before deciding.
I have a big karate tournament on Oct 30th and I'm doing squad sessions as well this year so I need to practice a lot. Luckily this seems to be one of the few things that I can do pain free but it's hard work.
I'm heading to Melbourne for a month at xmas. That's in 10 weeks and I'd like to be in good shape by then so I can do an intensive 4 weeks of warm weather training. I want to do a few of the shorter IMRA races next year and I'm hoping Peter and Mike will be able to do lots of kayaking with me. The mountain biking I can get done on my own.
Top priority is sorting out my legs. Swimming was a big help before so next week I'm back in the pool!!8
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New log, new log, new log to follow yeaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I'm so glad to see you back
Wow Team #TriHarder are heading for Expedition Africa, it sounds pretty amazing What a way to see the Eastern Cape
GodZone in 2018 then?
How is your recovery from ITERA going?0 -
ThanksNew log, new log, new log to follow yeaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I'm so glad to see you back Wow Team #TriHarder are heading for Expedition Africa, it sounds pretty amazing What a way to see the Eastern Cape
GodZone in 2018 then?
How is your recovery from ITERA going?
Em, no, not TriHarder. Just me. One of the South Africans who was over for Itera was looking for a female racer to join their team for EA and I jumped at the chance The TriHarder boys are all busy doing grown up stuff anyway 0 -
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career move wrote: »Thanks
Em, no, not TriHarder. Just me. One of the South Africans who was over for Itera was looking for a female racer to join their team for EA and I jumped at the chance The TriHarder boys are all busy doing grown up stuff anyway
You're going rogue :O Only kidding, it will be invaluable experience to race with a different team
A kayak erg? Did you buy one of the fancy ones I've seen online?0 -
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God no. I've already spent far too much money on my AR obsessionA kayak erg? Did you buy one of the fancy ones I've seen online?
It's a homemade one. Pretty simple really. I got a power bar in Lidl ages ago which is a bar about a metre long connected to two long heavy duty resistance bands. These have loops on them that I secure to the legs of the kitchen table and then I sit on a chair about a metre and a half away and use the bar as a paddle. You can replicate the paddling motion pretty well and you get a good workout into your arms but obviously it's not as good as being out in a kayak.
My kitchen is more like a gym at the moment with a turbo by the window, this yoke attached to the kitchen table and a yoga mat in the middle of the floor 0 -
A Kayak erg?? I didn't even see that I was so distracted with the baboons!
I'll be quite at home with the baboons
It's the African buffaloes you want leave in peace
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That's bloody genius that is! Necessity being the mother of invention, and all that.
It is Unfortunately I can't claim credit for it. Mike spotted the powerbar in Lidl and it was his idea to use it for a kayak erg. I think he has his connected in some way to his rowing erg machine 0 -
Oct 8th - Oct 29th
The last 3 weeks have been ok. I went to a physical therapist to sort out my legs. Both calves (lateral esp) Quads (VL esp) Glutes (Med esp) and the TFL were all really really tight. There was a small tear in the right medial quad. Both SI joints were out of line and he was able to manipulate the right back in to place but not the left. This was followed by an hour of painful massage. And not because he was going particularly deep in. My muscles were all so, so tender. He also said my left leg is shorter than my right. I think nearly every PT/physio/quack that I've been to has mentioned this and Paddy said it could be sorted by using some cheap heel raisers. They were about 5 each delivered and I've been using them for most of the 3 weeks. I started out running 2 min/walk 1 min x 10. I did that a couple of times and my legs were still very sore so back for another hour of pain 10 days ago. My muscles were noticeably looser but it still hurt like hell and I was nearly reduced to tears by the finish.
This week I've managed 2 x 20 min runs and a 30 min run today with strides and they've all been pain free so happy days. Im going to build it up very slowly over the next couple of months. I've signed up for a 15k trail run at the end of November. It's at night and I'd like to be in a position to do that in around 2.5 hrs. I've also signed myself up for a 56 km trail run across some of the Blackstairs mountains in the middle of March. Fingers crossed I'll be able to get some 30 - 35k runs done in the new year before it.
I've been to the pool 6 times. I usually do around 30min and between 1000 - 1300m. It's not doing anything to improve my swimming but I find the water is magic for my muscles! I was doing a lot of yoga but it's not as useful as swimming.
I've been fairly consistent on the bike but no sessions longer than an hour. It's all easy work at the moment but planning to step that up in the next while and get out for some longer spins on the MTB.
My main focus has been karate. We've a big tournament this weekend so it's been practise, practise, practise. The thing I love most about karate is the more you apply yourself, the better you get. It's very rewarding
Karate: 11.5 hr
Yoga: 5.5 hr
Turbo: 5 hr
Swim: 3 hr
Kayak erg: 2.5hr
Run/walk: 2hr
Run: 1.5 hr
Sports massage: 2 x 1hr0 -
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Hey Neady
Ya I'm so excited! Only 9 weeks to go. Literally counting down the days!
Training is going very well and I have my hip under control which is great. I've done a couple of big weeks. One in Jan and one in Feb but mostly I'm just tipping away keeping things consistent. I'm back racing with the club as well. Not at the same level as I was but getting back there slowly.
Hope all good with you. Best of luck in The Race. We'll all be following the tracker and routing for you 0 -
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Hi Neady Ya Clive broke his leg a couple of days ago. I don't know the exact details but I think it was a simple enough fall. Leanne was mugged in a shopping mall today so I'm starting to wonder who's put a curse on us?!? These things usually happen in threes though right?!
We have nobody to fill in yet but we're hopeful someone will turn up. Worse case scenario, Stephan the RD, has said he will allow us to race non competitively as a team of 3.
The Air Horn, to warn off the Buffalo is the only surprise in the kit list. Apparently Stephan and Heidi were charged a number of times while they were scouting. All the usual stuff then including the climbing gear. I haven't packed yet but I am getting a little concerned about the weight allowance!!
I saw you had another super run at the weekend. Huge congrats I hope you are resting up this week at least!!!!! 0 -
So, have you enough bubble wrap to cover yourself from head to toe between now and lift off? I really hope ye find someone but if not, glad that they'll let ye race anyway. Ye have much too much time and money invested to not be allowed to tow the start line.
Ha ha an air horn, brilliant. I was wondering if there might be a 100ltr black bag for killer bees but an air horn is equally as fun Sure you're from Ireland, well used to herding cattle, won't be a bother to you I can't even begin to think about how you'd plan the logistics for a race like this.
Thanks for that, yea, Connemara really put it up to me for the last 8 weeks, I feel like I've either been recovering or tapering without doing any real training so I'm looking forward to getting a bit of routine back Hopefully that will curb my appetite too 0 -
April:
activity # time miles +m
Run 15 14:08:20 76.99
Bike 3 13:20:54 157.5. 2453
Bike turbo 10. 9:55:00
Karate 5 7:30:00
Kayak erg 7. 6:50:00
Hip work 14 3:30:00
Walk 4 1:52:59 3.3 84
Run/Walk 2 1:13:20 3.98
Trek 1 25:00 1.49
Core 2 10:00
Total. 27 58:55:33 243.25 2537
averages - sleep:10 rhr:43
April was a good training month. I did 2 long mountain bike rides. Both over 6hrs (118k and 103k). Pretty hilly too >1200m. And I did some good sessions on the turbo.
My hip had been really good this month and I got a couple of good long runs done. One was a 12 mile progression run with the last mile in 7:14. I did a couple of good tempos but I was disappointed last week with my run in the seniors (5k in 21:54). We had county track and field today and I won the 800m in 2:56. Delighted because I beat a woman from one of the other clubs who has beaten me in every road race that I've done for the club.
I was fairly consistent with the kayak erg up until this week and I've been good with the stretches and strength work for my hip.
The last week has been nice. I'm happy to be tapering and it's nice not to have to keep pushing myself to do multiple sessions every day. I've been sick for the last few days but my resting heart rate was back to normal today and I'm not flying to South Africa for another week so it's good timing! I got my first Hep b vaccine. The second one is due May 4th. I won't have the full course as you need another after 6 months for full immunity but it should be adequate.
The big news is we have ourselves an awesome new teammate. He's South African and super qualified and he's a grade 5 whitewater kayaker so he'll bring some much needed kayaking strength to the team. Thank god I only have to work 4 days next week because I am beyond excited 0 -
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Thanks. I'm not on boards much lately but a quick read of your log tells me you're running away and keeping injury freehillsiderunner wrote: »Good luck! Are you doing the 7 hills? Best of luck if you are! 0 -
career move wrote: »Thanks. I'm not on boards much lately but a quick read of your log tells me you're running away and keeping injury free Are you doing the 7 hills? Best of luck if you are!
That's the plan as long as I can raise my bum off the sofa to do the recces over the next few weeks :rolleyes:.0 -
I arrived in Port Elizabeth yesterday via Heathrow and Johanneaburg. I'm the first of our team to arrive.
Damon and Leanne come tomorrow and Ico on Friday. It'll be nice when we're all here to talk tactics and race plans
Even though I slept a good bit, it was a long day/night of airports, and flights. I had to collect and check in my luggage in jo'burg and a porter took my bike from me to the fragile check in and then asked me for 300 Rand. He said he had to give it to the men at the check in. I have it to him because I feared for my bike! But it made me feel like I was a gullible foreigner!!! At least I had no problems with my bike and bag when I got to PE! I joined the Japanese team East Wind for our transfer to the HQ. They were friendly but we were all like zombies after the flights so we didn't talk much. A curious thing I noticed on the drive was the number of hitchhikers on the highways!! The driver told me there are often fatalities and it's easy to believe! I also saw a zebra
The teams are based at Cape St Francis resort. It's really beautiful and our house is a 2 minute walk from the beach. I went for a long walk along the coast today. It was about 20 degrees with a clear blue sky and the Indian Ocean was thundering off the nearby rocks.
Bliss
Cape St Francis seems like it's a well off area with nice houses and nice cars but 2 miles out the road there's a shanty town with people living in tiny galvanised huts with not an inch of space between them. It really highlights the gulf between rich and poor. Also the black South Africans do all the menial jobs like housekeeping and manual labour.0 -
Thanks for the update and all the info. K. Delighted you're settling well and really looking forward to watching the dots Great to see a relatively large Irish contingent there too.
Keep em coming and in case you don't check back before the off, a massive massive best of luck to you and the Tumbleweeds I hope you really have some fun out there exploring 0 -
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Thanks Neady
We got the maps for Leg 5 and 6 yesterday and the Route book. So exciting!!!! There's 12 legs in total; 3 kayak, 3 massive bike legs and 6 treks. Nothing that looks too scary on paper. (Famous last words!!!!!!!)
Leg 6 is the trek in the Baviaans with the dark zone. From our timings it's looking like we'll be lighting ourselves a camp fire and getting a 10 hr sleep then. That's definitely something to look forward to
The race is kicking off with a 5k trail run and a sea kayak. I'm going to be paired with Ico in the boats and he's a kayaking machine so it's happy days for me!!!! We seem to have gelled pretty well as a team so far. No major personality clashes yet anyway!
We spent a lot of yesterday organising gear into our kit bags and boxes and buying last minute supplies. Before I hand in my bike this morning, I have to do an emergency trip to the bike shop to get my tyres changed to tubeless or else I'm told I'm going to be plagued with punctures. Then we have gear checks, a visit to the penguin sanctuary and an afternoon chilling over the maps.
I don't expect to sleep much tonight and we have an early start Sunday and then it's finally time to start. I can't wait. As a wise man said, I'm going to enjoy every breath of it 0
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