Swartberg 100 and the surrounding Karoo has my heart.

Prince Albert, the cosy town situated at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains, in South Africa’s Western Cape is the topic of my blog today. Not only the starting village of the annual Swartberg 100miler Gravel event but a location worth visiting if a beautiful, isolated getaway is what you are after.

The UCI World Gravel Series event, Swartberg 100 was the reason for my visit this year, hosted at the end of April, perfectly timed for a trip between the scorching desert summer heat and the bone-aching cold that comes with a Karoo winter. For years, as a licensed South African rider, I and many others have been barred from this event as it has remained a niche and unsanctioned event. However this year, with the event be recognised by the UCI, this event opened its doors to the many eager licensed riders who have been waiting behind red tape.

I was not the only one to leap at the opportunity to participate in this race, a 170km traverse through the Karoo mountain-scape with a challenging finish up and over the infamous Swartberg Pass. With entries paid and the car filled up, we left the Cape Town bustle for the roughly 5 hour road trip to Prince Albert where we set up shop and readied ourselves for the mammoth that faced us the next day.

I personally had a mixed bag of emotions for this race...what would usually be a stomach filled with nerves for something I have not done before, was rather a stomach filled with excitement. This race, in my mind, was the perfect opportunity to fly or fail...either of which I was prepared for funny enough. I felt like I had done all that I could to prepare and the rest would be in the hands of the course ;)

I had no doubt in my mind that I could and would make all 170kms of the race...the question was in the how? I could either sail my way through the day or, like in previous 100miler events...I could have to slog my way over hurdle after hurdle until the finish line finally comes into sight. It was with this question in mind that I lined up at 7am on Saturday amongst a healthy handful of women and geared myself to face whatever came if and when it came.

170km of some of the most beautiful riding later, I crossed the finish line in 3rd place Elite Women and 4th place overall in the Women's category. The course, although brutal, has to be one of the more fun and scenic gravel courses I have ridden. With a lot of tar riding, interspersed with 3 main gravel sectors, you have adequate time to suffer along with adequate time to look up and soak in the views.

Specifically, the stretch of road through Meiringspoort was a highlight... a stretch after the first gravel section boasting extremely smooth tar as you wind your way through a towering kloof. At about 70kms in, slightly downhill and just all round STUNNING, this stretch put a smile on my face and readied me to face the remaining 100kms ahead.

Here are some stats about my race :)

Distance : 170kms

Ascent: 2794m

Average Speed: 26.8kms

Elapsed Time: 6hrs 22mins 07sec

Moving Time: 6hrs 20min 17secs (Paused time = 1min 10secs)

Average HR: 166bpm

Max HR: 189bpm

Average Power: 152 watts

Normalized Power: 174 watts

Max Power: 520 watts

When I crossed the line...I was broken! But as much as my body hurt, my heart swelled. I had done exactly what I had set out to do...and I had done it well!

My bike had handled the gravel like a pro, I had fuelled according to my plan and most importantly...I had enjoyed every minute. I was proud to cross the line and even prouder of my attitude around the event.

My 3 words going in were POSITIVITY, PATIENCE and PRACTICAL, and I honestly felt that I had leant on each word throughout my 6hr 20min race.

What made the day that much sweeter?

The peeps!

It's been my experience in road racing that during the race, an icy shoulder approach is standard and that after the event, contempt is the go-to mood.

Not here! Everyone I turned to had a dusty smile on their face and a war-story they wanted to share. People I had never spoken to asked my how I fared and my competitors were there for a finish line hug.

I went to bed that night absolutely knackered but oh so happy! A UCI medal on my bedside table and the day's scenes flashing through my mind. What more could a girl ask for?

We decided to take the Sunday to chill and soak up Prince Albert and to only drive home on the Monday, which I am super grateful for as it gave me an opportunity to experience the Pass at sunset that evening. I didn't really think I'd be interested in getting back on my bike the day after racing but by late afternoon, I was itching to climb the pass again and wanted to go during the dusk hour after remembering the stunning sunset we had seen the evening before.

At about 4:30pm, I set out on tired legs to the base of the climb and started my trip up. Slowly but surely, I pedalled higher and higher until the skies started turning pink. I knew I wouldn't get to the top before it got too dark but I made it my mission to get as high as possible to see the sunset before having to turn around and descend.

I think I can confidently say that this evening spent up alone in the mountain may just rank in my top 10 rides of all time. It was only about 1hrs 15mins of riding but somehow I got to the bottom of the pass knowing I had just experienced something I don't think many will get to experience in their lifetime.

Ghostly quiet and perfectly picturesque...the Swartberg mountains stood tall around me.

It is something words can't describe.

We finished off the evening with star-gazing at the Eersterivier Amphitheatre, a stunning activity to do while away from the city and one that I recommend to do with a group of friends, warm clothes/blankets and some snacks and drinks.

The Karoo has a special place in my heart after this trip and I hope to return next year for some more adventuring and memory-making.