Yesterday, two bike-riding mates and I did a practice 100 km ride on the "Die Burger" route. Next Sunday, we'll be riding the route in the real "Die Burger" race, which will give us a seeding time for the big Cape Argus race on March 8. We'll be among 8,000 others in the on the route through the winelands around Stellenbosch. Yesterday was nice, just us three!
It was a gorgeous day, blue sky and no wind. We started at 6:30 am, and were able to stop along the way and take some pics. After the first climb over "Hells Hoogte" (Hell's Heights"), we had a beautiful ride through the vineyards and villages, through Pniel, Fraschoek, and Paarl. Then we turned a corner, and we were at Drackenstein Prison. This is where Nelson Mandela was held for the last couple of years of his imprisonment, and the place from which he was eventually released. In August 2008, this statue was placed at the entrance.
It was a gorgeous day, blue sky and no wind. We started at 6:30 am, and were able to stop along the way and take some pics. After the first climb over "Hells Hoogte" (Hell's Heights"), we had a beautiful ride through the vineyards and villages, through Pniel, Fraschoek, and Paarl. Then we turned a corner, and we were at Drackenstein Prison. This is where Nelson Mandela was held for the last couple of years of his imprisonment, and the place from which he was eventually released. In August 2008, this statue was placed at the entrance.
We stopped to take pictures, and as we did, a guard came out to tell us that we weren't allowed to stand on the sculpture. He said that this was an important monument that we needed to respect, so that generations of South Africans could come and appreciate it. His demeanor was appropriately stern and serious. We apologized and thanked him, and then he showed us the inscription on the side of the monument. Quotes from Mandela.
Pretty powerful.
But, we couldn't leave without a moment of solidarity.
Amandela.
The rest of the ride was wonderful from a training standpoint. We finished the 100 ks in 4 hours and 29 seconds, which was just what we had hoped, though no world record. Now we know the route, we know all the hills, and so we'll be ready for next Sunday's race. Also, we won't need to stop and take pictures then. Though as we ride by, I'll surely give a raised fist in solidarity.
I love this quote from the sculpture, and think it is worth repeating:
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains,
but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."
-Mandela
Blog ya later.
Seth./.
