Day 1 - Xmas Challenge

Today is Day 1 of the Rapha Xmas Challenge. Managed to do 40km's along the Maputo Marginal, the road that runs along the seaboard. At 5am it's quiet and free of traffic, with quite a few walkers and only the occasional cyclist. Met up with a cyclist friend at the allotted time and we spun along chatting and enjoying the morning light. It had been windy and wet the last few days but the road had mostly dried up and the air was quite clear, as it normally is after a shower. The waves were gently lapping at the shore and almost no hint of wind.. Well, as cyclists we OF COURSE felt the wind.. What cyclist wouldn't complain of a 1knot headwind on such a perfect day as this.. But in reality it was the perfect weather for a time trial. Instead we kept on chatting and ambled along at a brisk but unlaboured pace, with no sprints or surges or halfwheeling that we normally get into. The year is coming to a close, competition is over. It's time to enjoy the ride.

Fuelling up after the ride


Garmin data for the pixel-peepers