After a week of torrential rain and Winter-like storms, Wine 2 Whales riders were expecting a bit of mud and were not disappointed today.

Starting in scenic Lourensford Estate, that is busy with logging operations in the forests, the roads were mush. We set off in a light drizzle and climbed through the vineyards to the trees.

The top teams blasted through, churning up the slop, whilst the touring class fell-over in puddles, lost their shoes in the gluey soup and had multiple slips down the freshly cut single tracks.

This is all part of the fun of mountain biking and riders embraced the extreme conditions like comrades in arms, albeit dirty comrades.

We were rewarded with spectacular routes through farms and nature reserves that are usually off limits to riders. This is one of the best reasons to take part in such an event.

Not all teams had the best of days. Ed Sturrok of Team Fat Boys left his saddle at home on the way to the start, causing a last minute panic. Once at the start venue, the keys for the Thule bike rack had been left behind, which had the bikes locked onto the car. One hacksaw session later, Team Fat Boys, were on their way.

Andrew Planting of Team Young Guns, flew down a gnarly hill and was taken out by a tree stump, that unfortunately fractured his collarbone – end of race.

However, more than 130 teams finished the day. The leaders Team GT William Simpson (Erik Kleynhans and Oliver Munnik) came in under 4 hours in 3h32m. Many teams took more than 5 hours and the last finishers crossed the line in 7h33m – an epic journey of mud and guts.

Better weather is forecast for tomorrow, but for now, riders are in the chill zone enjoying a welcome cold beer and plentiful recharging grub.