Update :13 May

By Monique:

We left Cape Town early to be in time to meet the riders in Elandsbaai. We hit some heavy rain and strong wind on our way and had great sympathy for the riders who had to cycle in this kind of weather - especially hearing that the previous day was a wonderful summers day!

Got to Elandsbaai just in time to meet the first riders at the hotel. Peter and David (two of the Locker 9 members) where the first two riders we saw. Peter is so thin we cannot imagine how he manages to stay on the bike in strong wind! We heard that Jos is still on his way, so we ventured down the dirt road towards Lambertsbaai. Saw a lonely rider in the distance and decided to film his approach - when he got closer, we realized it was Jos!

He was soaking wet, but happy to see us! It was only another 3 km for him to go, so we met up at the hotel. His order for lunch was hot chocolate and malva dessert - this after stopping at a coffee shop on the way to have chocolate cake!

Jos told us that the food on the trip was terrible. They basically got stew every day and he does not want to see carrots again!

We invited Jos's locker 9 group for dinner where they told their stories to a reporter from the local newspaper. We were in stitches most of the time. Especially when Jos told the story where he ended up wandering around in Addis (this was after his accident). He was still concussed and had constant memory loss. His feet was hurting, so he stopped at a pharmacy to get a plaster - this was in the afternoon. He "woke up" again when the shop assistant told him to leave because they were closing for the day - he was still sitting on the man's chair!

When he got back to the hotel there was an incident when he was standing outside, in front of the hotel. The doorman asked if he could get Jos a taxi, Jos told him that he was waiting for his helicopter to pick him up!

Well, there was no helicopter and Jos had no choice but to continue! With only 2 days left, his looks great, slim and fit and apparently the accident got his speech "organs" going - all the riders said since the accident he has not been able to stop talking!

Tomorrow the riders will cycle to Yzerfontein and the last day to Cape Town. Jos has ordered his bottle of Verve to drink as they cross the finishing line!!!

Well done Jos and great to see you!