De Rust, Western Cape, South Africa.

Our quaint little village of De Rust is in the top three of the "Best Town Of The Year" competition in the Western Cape. In the past two weeks we have been visited by teams from The Rapport Newspaper and the Kwela TV show.

Besides all of the beautiful surrounding attractions like Meiringspoort with its waterfall, the majestic Swartberg and Kammanassie Mountains with nature reserves and hiking trails, De Rust has maintained its old world charm. Its unspoiled, old world Victorian vibe is relatively untouched.

Donkey carts are the chosen form of transport for the locals and no one seems to mind the "exhaust" droppings left behind. Much more eco-friendly than petrol and diesel fumes :-).

Need something from the local grocery store... you just walk. Want to visit a friend on the other side of town... you just walk. "Town" is only about 1 kilometer by 1 kilometer.

De Rust is home to some of South Africa's well known artists and their works, together with other artists, are displayed in the local art galleries.

We also host a number of sporting events during the year like the Meieringspoort Half Marathon (coming up in October again), Stomp Drift Dam Angling Competition, mountain bike challenges etc.

Biking Clubs also make use of De Rust as a stop over during their rallies.


It is not unusual to see vintage cars lining the main street at various times of the year.


The results of the competition will be made known later in July this year.


Well done De Rust for getting to this stage of the competition!!!


A very happy and contented resident.

 

Cape Pioneer Trek - MTB Race.

On Wednesday afternoon 20th October I helped out at the final water table at the finish line of Stage 3 in De Rust. Man were those riders exhausted. We had people sticking their feet in buckets of ice! Downing water and coke; two, three and four cups. Then eating humongous helpings of pasta and kiche.

The local church hall looked like a war zone! There were about 30 physiotherapists working on sore muscles. The "patients" all lying on tables were in agony. They call this fun??? There were about 20 riders who never started Stage 4 the next day.

That night we served dinner to the riders. What a spread! Two of the restaurants in town  and a number of local ladies provided the food.

We left De Rust at about 6:15am on Thursday 21st October to set up the first water tables about 25 kms out on the Beaufort West Road. We drove through the beautiful Meiringspoort. Always spectacular. You see different aspects in different light.

As we finished setting up our tables and sponsors' banners, gazebos and the like the local farmer's wife came and invited us for coffee and rusks. Most welcome as there was a icy cold wind blowing.

After coffee we loaded the tables with water, coke, energy replacement and bananas. Later some ladies arrived and packed out mini koeksusters, custard tarts, peanuts.

The front riders came in about 9am and didn't even stop. Just grabbed some water as they road through. Super fit these guys.

Anyway I was appointed to the chain lube gang. Whilst the riders were feasting and drinking myself and Frans were lubing their bicycle chains.

There was a great vibe at our station. Lots of jokes between us and the riders. Sadly a couple of competitors dropped out here and also a few kilometres down the road. The previous day's stage to De Rust had been gruelling with temperatures as high as 41C and averaging 33C over the whole distance.

The last riders came through at about 11am. Not competing any longer just enjoying the ride and scenery... muscles just too tired to push it.

It was a great day. The ground crews were well prepared and equipped thanks to the many sponsors.

Jack.

P.S. Check out the race details and photos here: http://www.capepioneer.co.za