My first ever cycle race

It has been a while since I last reported on my cycling progress.

I am happy to say that it is going really well and that I will be cycling my first ever race next weekend. Needless to say, I am extremely nervous … more nervous of crashing and falling than of actually not finishing the 62km race.

But all that aside, I am also super proud of myself for making it this far.

Initially, I said I wanted to start racing in 2017, but after having some health setbacks and sometimes a negative approach to cycling, this year started off with a bang!

My husband and I cycle about 30 to 40km every week in the Cradle of Humankind and it’s becoming one of my favourite things to do during a weekend.

The ambience of the Cradle makes me feel like I am on holiday. The scenery is just breathtaking, and the crisp clean air actually burns your nostrils – the smell of the countryside really is relaxing.

The only bad thing I need to highlight is that the upkeep of the area needs some attention, especially the roadside visitors’ area. The weeds and grass have completely taken over and there’s rubbish lying everywhere. It’s such a shame, because people from all over Gauteng come to this area to cycle.

Luckily the restaurants in the area try to make it look nice around them. And I need to mention the extraordinary spectators we have – the lions and white tiger at the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve – who always greet us with their incredibly majestic purrs while we cycle past their enclosures. Wow!

I want to use this opportunity to thank the cycling community for always being so welcoming and warm towards my husband and I.

Until next week, take care, Krugersdorp.