As I sit in the setting sun in Cape Town before the Absa Cape Epic 8-day stage race kicks into life tomorrow morning at 9am, a quick moment to reflect on a busy and exciting couple of days.

Since touching down in South Africa on Wednesday morning it’s been busy busy. We’ve been treated to a short ferry trip to Robben Island and tour of the historical island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned during the apartheid era.

The day before the chance to sample some local trails, and for me the first time on South Africa’s famously dry, dusty and rocky trails. There’s some impressive man-made trails, with one section extremely similar to Cwmcarn in places, particularly the top-section. Except for the 25 degree heat, buckets of sweat pouring down my skin and a spectacular view.

Today, it was down to the posh Waterfront for race registration. We received our race numbers, transponders and our huge kit bags which, for the next eight days, will contain everything that we need for the race.

Right now, it’s time to boil up some pasta and get our bags packed for the 6am start tomorrow morning. The race gets going at 9am with the toughest stage of the route right from the gun: 117km and 2190m of climbing! It’s been a long wait, but it’s finally here. That’s all from me for now, until tomorrow afternoon.

You can follow the race live, as it happens, at http://www.cape-epic.com/live/