Every once in a while you might find something that captures you, that draws you in from the first encounter.
This line down the granite was one of those occasions. The rock was so bare with no tree or any structure to offer any kind of handle at least for the eyes. The narrow roll in at the top gradually became steeper and steeper, eventually falling onto an inclined ledge. You would simply have to hold it together and get a maximum out of the brakes and the tire rubber. Once on the ledge you were on safe grounds for a few meters until you had to traverse the granite at a sloping angle to reach over onto the safe harbor of a flatter rock section. Also every once in a while you are ready to go all in when the stakes are high. I had to give it a serious try.
It was the last day before we had to leave the Spitzkoppe camp.
I think in my preoccupied mind I was quite nervous and irritable and not talking a lot. It was finally time to put the mind games onto the rock. During the last two days we really got comfortable with the granite and I got a glimpse of what was possible with this kind of stellar friction. This line would make the show case.
When I got ready at the top,
I was already pretty much in my own bubble, which consisted of my front brake, the front tire and the few meters of granite below me. When you roll in with utter confidence, it is pure joy and relief as you feel things coming together all fine. It was time to talk and laugh again, and for a beer.
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