Knysna Cycle Tour 2019

We've been making the annual trip to Knysna for seven years now, and I'd be lying if I didn't confess that, for at least three of those years, I've been threatening to not return. It's not that I don't enjoy Knysna - or even a good road trip - it's just that it always revolved 100% around the cycle race, and not much else (despite everyone's best efforts).

This year was not that different except that maybe, courtesy of a mental detox, I was a lot more chilled about the whole thing. And would you know - it was the best trip yet!

We left at the ungodly hour of 01h00 last Saturday morning to take a leisurely drive along the Garden Route. I am grateful for the insanity of this process as it allows my children to sleep in the bus (at least most of the time), and we are able to make regular toilet / coffee / breastfeeding breaks, as are needed, without any rush to get to race registration.

As we have done since the 2017 Knysna fires burnt down our regular accommodation, we checked into Carmel Guest Farm in Victoria Bay. This is a great place to be based for many reasons including: close proximity to the beach as well as to George; really affordable accommodation (and breakfast); plenty of activities for the kids; and an incredible view! Do yourself a favour and check them out if you don't already frequent this place.

The view of Victoria Bay from our chalet

Vic Bay up close and personal...

... a mere 2km from our accommodation

Saturday was a recovery day as Andel and Garth prepared for their race, and Papu recovered from the drive. I'm not even joking when I say we were all in bed at 20h00!

And thank goodness for that early bedtime because we were all up and in the bus driving to Knysna at 07h00 on Sunday. We dropped the guys at the start of the race, and then head up to what has become part of our race routine in Knysna: catching the boys on the first climb, before visiting The Farm.

Waiting on the side of the road

The main cheerleaders

Arguably the best seat in the house

I'm seriously beginning to believe that I make this trip just to visit this place. It's heaven! There are hiking and bike trails for kids and adults (which we hardly ever get to explore because we're always there in the middle of winter - still, you don't see anyone complaining), and this quaint restaurant in the middle of a beautiful playground, that serves amazingly good food, and the. best. carrot. cake. ever!

Breakfast time!

Biking in a break from the rain

Grandparent duty for Papu and Yaya

We head back to the race area with little time to spare before we saw the elites cross the finish line in what must have been a challenging race in cold, wet conditions, and with an extended route. And a little while after that, we saw Andel, then his brother Bernil, and then Garth cross over too. They were tired and triumphant, and we were ready to get warm and fed when we found out that Andel had finished second (overall in the non-elite race) and had to stay for the prize giving. To say we were all floating on Andel's high for a bit after that would be an understatement. It was kind of a big deal (and we were not allowed to forget it!).

Standing in the rain at the finish line

The original supporter

One tired, happy daddy cyclist

As has become customary, we spent the next two days just getting in some down time. The weather played along, sending raining both days, so we ended up just hanging together as family. It's funny that our party gets smaller and smaller each year now that the Dups and Bren are overseas, and with Annie, Tase and Peyton rehearsing for their show back in Cape Town. Still, it's been pretty special to spend some quality time with my nuclear family, checking off bucket list items and whatnot - including going horse riding (in the rain, no less!).

Yaya was in her element

Matthew - super keen and confident

Bravestar went first, obviously

Taking turns to look after Bug

We made it home safely on last evening, following a couple of tourist stops for roosterkoek in Albertinia, meaty pies from Ou Meul in Riviersonderend, and homemade vetkoek from Ouma Klaasen in Grabouw.

The Honeymooners

Die Main Manne (or so they think)

And so it's back to the grind - and who knows, perhaps I have another Knynsa trip in me yet?