@Shebeen That sums it up perfectly. I have been riding on and off since 2013 and finished my 5th on Sunday - yes it was tough. All the comments thus far about crappy rider villages, paying R35 for a coke in the rider's chill tent or walking to the other side of the village for water are 100% spot on. Compared to the ABSA VIP area (i.e. Constantia) the rest of the village looked and felt much like Khayelitsha next to a fancy suburb. Like any war the generals need some good cannon fodder - that's what the riders beyond the top batches were there for.
Compared to previous years the finish was a huge disappointment - no more "get onto the stage and wave to your family and supporters" who kept you going during the months of prep, this year you were herded on past the finish, moved to a photo backdrop in the middle of nowhere, where one of three camera guys snapped a photo before you were ushered into the tent to get T-Shirt... Please move along - we need to get this done today.
As for the route - yes, the weather played a huge role - but having a time trial the day prior to an expected scorcher where the slower riders were forced to start the time trial around 11:00 and spend most of the day out in the heat exacerbated the effects of the already shortened following day in the Paarl heat.
Should there have been more waterpoints closer to the last climb on that stage, yes.
Where there enough "Fit" and "mobile" medics at this crucial section on the route? No, not by a long shot. To put "Fit" and "Mobile" into perspective - if a medic is expected to traverse those distances in that terrain on foot in +40ºC with equipment in heavy overalls and boots they need to be mobile. The medics running past us down the mountain were doing their best to do their jobs should never have been put into that position - on a good day this was already a challenge, and this was not a good day.
I would have expected the Epic to be on par with some of the smaller events such as the Cape Pioneer run by Dryland - yes, they have smaller fields riding, but with roving medics on bikes or Quads, you always felt that someone would get to you quickly if there was an issue. (And don't give me the rubbish about motorbikes on the route - if they're suitable for the media crews they are damn well suited to a few medics too).
The Epic missed the mark here completely - and their handling of the fallout is typical PR bullsh*t. We rode and walked past riders in a terrible state on this section (some covered with branches to try and create shade) handed out the hot water we had left in our bottles and luckily made it out to the top where we were rationed by the USN teams to a half jug of one of their electrolyte drinks - NO - they did NOT have water available for us when we passed the hydration station.
No level of should've, could've or would've will change the terrible fact that this should never have happened. My thoughts are with the rider's family that tragically lost his life.
As Stephan mentioned above I am also waiting patiently for the rider survey, but by no means holding my breath that it will do any good.
This may all sound negative, and the bulk probably is, but the spirit, camaraderie and gees out on the trails made up for this. Guys and girls showing true grit and determination under properly tough conditions, the odd smile and laugh when you landed on your back in the mud for the umpteenth time, yo-yoing past the same riders for hours and eventually building lasting friendships forged on dusty trails, baking hot mountains and muddy singletrack - one word #anotherkakdayinafrica - that's how we like it!
For me, I've closed this chapter on my Epic riding days (well maybe I'll ride again when I reach the Great Grand Masters category in a few years), but for now it's back to social rides and tours with mates that enjoy some riding, a coffee and a glass (or two) of good wine.
To the other riders that completed this years Epic, we have a saying in Afrikaans "Dit was nie ligte musiek nie" - and 2025 was definitely not "light". Take a few days off the bike, make sure the kids, missus, mister or whoever supports you knows that you appreciate them, drink that extra glass of wine and enjoy the extra slice of pizza too, you deserve it!
