After a successful and very enjoyable stint at sani2c – even though it took me 18 and a half hours of riding in three days to complete the event – it’s time to thank a few people, well actually a lot of people.

Thanks to every marshal who kept crossings and turns safe on the journey from Underberg to Scottburgh.

Thanks to all the friendly waterpoint personnel – thanks for the eggs, donuts and especially the salty potatoes.

Thanks to everyone who spent nights before the event marking the course.

Thanks to the medics and bike marshals.

Thanks for all the land owner negotiations making safe passage possible.

Thanks to the sponsors for making the event possible and for enough clothing in our race pack to take me through winter.

Thanks to all the Underberg residents who drove riders’ vehicles to Scottburgh – most of them made the trip twice.

Thanks to Paul, our MC, who did a fantastic job motivating us to get back on the road every day.

Thanks to farmer Glen for designing a route that is tough, but not heartbreaking – a route which presents huge obstacles, but also huge rewards, and some of the best single track riding in absolutely stunning surroundings.

Thanks to Glen for shaping the race around giving millions back to all the local communities. Thanks for your passion, Glen. You’re a shining example of what good can achieve.

Thanks to all the local schools and organisations who fed us during the course of the three days.

Thanks for the sense of sheer accomplishment I received out of completing this journey.

Thanks to my partner Keith for encouraging me throughout – even when I refused to ride up the final hill out of Umkomaas Valley to the Nando’s waterpoint.

Thanks to all my friends for their encouragement throughout, and most importantly, thanks to my wife, Sonett. She is my foundation and the glue that keeps it all together – especially when I’m away doing silly things like trying to complete a 250km bicycle race without training for it!