The Amarider 100 miler has grown significantly since the event was first held in 2009 and with RE:CM coming on board as a title sponsor this year it looks as if the success of this event is to continue in coming years.
There were not many lady competitors on the start line this year with Ariane from Contego off to Switzerland and the Tour de Freestate on at the same time. Three big names to line up on the start line was Team bizhub-FCF’s Leana de Jager and Ishen Stopforth as well as Jane Seggie who had raced the Cape Epic together with Ischen in 2008.
“Despite the cold conditions I had a very good start and managed to hook onto a bunch of strong riders. The pace was hard but I felt good” Said Ishen. Although it had stopped raining, the roads were muddy and soon my gears jammed from the mud at a very crucial point, just before we got to a section of tar road and I was dropped off the bunch, leaving me all alone as they sped off. I knew it was going to be a long lonely ride with about 120km to go”. Leana De Jager was forced to withdraw after 30kms due to mechanical problems which left Ischen as a lone representative for bizhub-FCF with 120kms to go.
“The whole route consists only of big open gravel district roads which were mostly flat with no real climbs just drags and often very corrugated which is not my favourite kind of riding” continued Ischen. “I tried to stay motivated but it felt like a never ending slog, no time to rest or recover as there were hardly any downhill’s. I was extremely happy to cross the finish line after 6h50; first lady home. Jane Seggie was the 2nd lady home with Marleen Lourens in third”.
“I have done many crazy long races before but this one was one of toughest ones as far as mind games go; not having any single track or jeep track stuff to keep you busy, no climbs or fun descents, just on and on and on…seeing miles ahead of you. This really took some talking to myself just to finish. I’m sure it would have been a lot more fun had the weather not spoilt it a bit for everyone and to rub salt into the wounds the sun came out by the time prizegiving started.
The route was very well marked, no chance ever of going wrong, and the organisers got something right which a lot of other race organisers seem to struggle with- a very short well organised prize giving!”
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