Last year my partner, Andy, and I raced the ABSA Cape Epic for the first time (aptly named ‘virgin’ Epic riders) in the ‘mixed’ category, we placed 10th and were hooked in a very weird and somewhat perverted way. This year we returned, each with a new riding partner, hoping they too would appreciate the ‘wonder’ of this amazing race. It is a risk introducing fresh blood to what is known as the worlds toughest mountain bike race but my philosophy is “what doesn’t break you makes you stronger”, plus the race is in South Africa, a long way from home so their return policy is inhibited.
My original partner (Rebecca Locke) was, unfortunately, under the knife three weeks prior to race start leaving me frantically looking for a female partner last minute, more difficult a task than I could have imagined. Finally I elected to pursue a girl from NZ who appeared to have some reasonable mountain bike breeding and was comfortable with the thought of racing for 8 days knowing I wanted a podium at the end.
Andy’s partner was also female, Allyson Ramsay, and a virgin mountain bike rider in more ways than one. Ally approached Andy with the desire to race the Cape Epic, knowing I had dumped him for another female. Cape Epic would be Ally’s first mountain bike stage race, in fact it would be only the third mountain bike race she ever attended, Ally became a mini project of sorts and with three months solid training (a plan adapted from my own program thanks to Nikoli Razouvaev , aka The Russian) she smoked the Epic and I hear has a desire to return.
Well all good plans are made to be trashed and rehashed, the ABSA Cape Epic 2010 was no exception. I smoked the Kiwi stage 1, she spent two days in hospital after collapsing across the finish line with a temp in the vicinity of 42C, so no podium for me. Andy fell ill after 2 stages leaving Ally to soldier on alone and she did so in remarkable form. Partnerless, Ally and I were forced to continue as individual riders, racing each day from the rear of the start grid. Andy was relegated to support/bottle bitch and the Kiwi, well she was in hospital. This year the Absa cape Epic represented more an experience than a race, which for most was positive, except maybe the Kiwi?
So about the race: We all know the ABSA cape Epic as one of the toughest team mountain bike races in the world, eight days of racing, 722km and 14 635m climbing, 1200 riders (600 teams) from 50 countries, many of whom will start but not finish this gruelling event. An article published post race reported 20 individual injury incidents to riders on the first day alone (including a female that collapsed across the line with a temperature of 42C, the kiwi). The ABSA Cape Epic was born in 2004, a child conceived by Kevin Vermaak whilst riding La Ruta de los Conquistadores in Costa Rica with the assistance of Mike Hamel ( the voice of the ABSA Cape Epic) and Sonja Guldner-Hamel. Now the ABSA Cape Epic is the most televised mountain bike race, the first team mountain bike stage race to be awarded UCI status and the only mountain bike stage race to be classified HC (hors categorie) by the UCI, placing it in the same pedigree as the Tour de France.
The majority of the riders have the goal to complete the race, tick the box and never return. They claim their attendance is purely for the Cape Epic experience and go on to enter the Trans Rockies, Trans Alps, Trans Andes, La Ruta de los Conquistadores, so they can experience another country and another race. This is noble but in my opinion lacks commitment. Then there are the adidas Amabubesi members, riders who have successfully completed a minimum three editions of the ABSA Cape Epic. These are the riders that recognise and appreciate the ABSA Cape Epic as the ultimate stage that it is. They return yearly to test themselves against the best riders in the world on a course that is unrelenting and an environment so friendly and familiar. These riders enjoy the ‘privilege’ of entering the race before the general public, fabulous. I hope one day to have Amabubesi plastered next to my name.
Andy and I are already planning a return assault in 2011, addicted to both Cape Town and the ABSA Cape Epic. For us, the ABSA Cape Epic represents an escape to a routine and an environment that provides us the rare opportunity to ride, recovery, eat and sleep with no thoughts of work or the issues of life at home. The ABSA Cape Epic experience is so much more than just the race; it is the organisation, the locals, the landscape, the critters and Cape Town.
Characteristics of the ABSA Cape Epic:
The ABSA Cape Epic is UCI awarded and therefore attracts some of the world leaders in mountain bike cross country and mountain bike marathon disciplines. The ride route is altered every year, a task that takes Dr Evil eighteen months in design and instigation. The course is designed not only to test riders and their teams both physically and mentally but also to expose riders to the beautiful landscape of that particular region. The organisation recognises that the majority of the riders are actually aiming for a finish rather than a podium and are therefore riding for the South African experience. In the past two years, there seems to be an inherent appreciation for the regional vineyards and orchards which is somewhat beneficial on the completion of a stage.
The rider camp area (tent city) is a particularly special experience, one we elected to skip this year in exchange for the comforts of a motor home. Around 1400 single man, red, ABSA tents are erected in tight conformation at the completion of each stage. Leaving little to the imagination as their nylon walls are far from sound proof. In base camp the pre and post ride atmosphere is positively electric, a feeling empowered by the voice of Mike Hamel (the voice of the ABSA Cape Epic), from the rider wake up siren 0500 to lights out 2200 the camp is alive with chatter, music, bodies and the voice of Mike Hamel. In such an environment a special camaraderie develops between riders over the eight days of racing; familiar faces in the start chute, similar riding buddies day after day, similar drinking buddies in the Chill Zone (the bar), select dining allocations in the marquee, routine after routine. I believe this camaraderie is essential in completing this race psychologically intact. The mental and emotional support gained through the encouragement of other riders is invaluable in the closing kilometres of a stage, especially when the sand begins to suck you down and the corrugations vibrate the hell out of your brain.
About the route:
The course is redesigned every year by Leon Evans (aka. Dr Evil). This year we started in Diemersfontein with stops in Ceres (3 nights), Worcester (2 nights) and Oak Valley (2 nights) before finishing in the familiar Lourensford. A significant proportion of the route is on private land and open only for race riders and riders on the ‘Epic Trippers’ programme. Riders attempting to ride the route outside the race will not only receive a lifetime race ban but also be subject to the wrath of the landowners and the law. Each year it seems Dr Evil finds a new and exciting way to test riders and their teams, last year the most significant was a cruel portage that took the best part of 60 minutes. This year’s route featured an interesting 7km of railway track riding to complete stage 1, an amazing amount of single track riding in stage 2, an awesome 27km time trial for stage 5, a very special 12km climb through some Martian landscape on stage 6 and a compulsory portage through some sensitive vegetation on Gamtoe pass before descending into Lourensford.
The stages range from 65km (stage 8) to 123km with between 1625m and 2280m climbing per day, with the exception of the time trial on day 5 (27km and a mere 860m climbing) and neither the stage profile or the course description do justice to what the days riding entails. With the exception of the super elite riders, you can be assured a solid 5-8h saddle time each day and as the week progresses the mental battle emerges with tears almost a certainty. The climb is always worth the view and the descent so never be disheartened, the sand does end eventually as does the climb and each kilometre down is one closer to the finish. With respect to the individual stages they are all amazing but individual stages merge together by the end and to try and recall each stage would be criminal and flippant, not to mention false. The problem is my recall is notoriously skewed toward the positive and I tend to completely forget the tears, the cursing, the sore arse, sore legs, sore brain, feeling of complete and utter fatigue until the next year.
About the riders camp:
The photographs of tent city are indicative, neatly erected rows of red, one-man ABSA tents, one tent allocated to each rider. Riders are supplied with a tent tag so they can select and claim their tent to avoid tent poaching. When selecting a tent it is important to appreciate the proximity to the shower wagon, the portable toilet area, the shade, the dining marquee, the medical facilities and rider that may snore and/or fart during the night. The tents are closely aligned and their walls are thin, ear plugs and an eye mask are advised. Andy and I camped last year, this year we were more race-smart, we booked a motor home and imported Ally’s partner, Benny, as our driver. It was a very pleasant experience in comparison.
Note from Benny: Driving does not fill in the day so for persons considering the task of driving it may pay to take a bike to assist access to water points and spectator points along the stage. Drivers and other non riders are also able to ride the route under the Epic Tripper programme.
About pre and post ride routine:
The breakfast hall opens at 0500 with a selection of quality hot and cold breakfast foods served by way too cheery Green catering staff. The residing coffee van is usually also open about this time, as is the bike secure and the bum clinic (medical term). Our day starts at 0445, breakfast, bike collection, coffee and then some quality digesting time before corralling for a 0700 race start. For many riders the morning routine included a trip to the ‘bum clinic’ to have derrière abrasions taped to endure another day in the saddle. At 0500 it is still quite dark in South Africa at this time of year and the weather can range from shorts to thermals with or without wet weather gear, so be prepared.
About the race start:
At the close of each stage, times are posted and each team is seeded, the seeding applies to their start chute category (chute A through Open). Riders must be checked into their start chute 10 minutes before race start, the earlier you arrive the better your position in the chute. This year the race start was staggered with seeded riders released within their designated group at 10 minute waves. I understand this was a trial start regimen and may not be instigated in future races. As an individual I was not seeded and categorised as ‘open’ which meant I raced from the rear of the chute, this was less than ideal but did allow me an extra 10-20 minutes morning time before race start. I do not recommend this start regimen as it ensured a great deal of frustration initially with congestion on the early climbs a way of life. I would like to think this experience made me a more tolerant competitor but NOT!
Taking the race out of the equation definitely made for a heightened appreciation of the stage ride route and daily ride routine. While riding I actually took some time to look at the view and I recognise the amazing job undertaken by route planning team. Along each stage we passed through a wide variety of different landscapes, from barren open plains and fields, almost tropical forest patches, pine forest plantations, burnt sandy moonscapes, rough rocky climbs and there was always an abundance of spectators, especially the local children cheering and begging for ‘chocolate’ which I think equated to the lollies and Mule bars on offer at the feed stations. Approximately every 30km along the stage route there is placed a feed station which is fully stocked with Energade electrolyte drinks of varying colours, muffins, Mule bars of random flavours, lollies, coke, water and manned by a very cheery team of peoples. This year it was allowed that UCI riders could have spare equipment ( 1 wheel set and 1 equipment box) transported to a designated tech support zone, otherwise no outside assistance is permitted during the race. Fortunately the organisation does place a mechanic at the first feed station for riders that get into trouble in the early kilometres of any stage.
So I think that about wraps up the ABSA Cape Epic experience and I have a lot of people to thank for making it happen. A special thanks to the Amy Gillett Foundation and African Wildlife Safaris as well as Outer Edge Magazine, A’qto, Nikoli Razouvaev (Top Dog Cycling), Le Cyclo Sportif, AY-Up lighting, Sportograf photographers and K.W.T Nominees.
The 2010 ABSA Cape Epic was dedicated to James Williamson who died in his sleep following stage 2 of the 2010 event. Jimmi was an amazing Australian rider and his contributions to mountain biking in Australia will ensure he is eternally remembered.
About Entry for 2011:
www.cape-epic.com
Dates: 27 March - 3 April 2011
Entry Fee: R 14 950 per rider (±EUR1 500 / ±USD2 050 / ±GBP1 370)
Lottery Opens: 29 March
Lottery Closes: 30 May
How to Enter the 2011 Absa Cape Epic
• Most of the entries for the Absa Cape Epic are available through the lottery or the early entry guaranteed slots. Professional and national level riders and celebrity athletes can apply for a wildcard entry. If you wish to support one of our official charities you can buy a charity entry.
