Training Cape Pioneer as part of Cape Epic training

[Erasmus Pretorius]

We have entered Cape Epic 2015 and was wondering if anyone has advice on whether we should do the Cape Pioneer in preparation for the Cape Epic? Is it too close to Epic or do you see it as a good training ride?

Edited July 9, 2014 by Erasmus Pretorius

[Swart Kat]

Why not do The Mungo race also? Looks like funding is no prob?

[Swart Kat]

I take it that you are a Rookie at this kind of races toooo?

[Jocklaw]

It takes time to recover from multi stage events. It may be too much too early, it all depends what your level is. Probably worth your while to see a biokineticist for a training program.

[Erasmus Pretorius]

Will be a first for both. Currently on a training program to do both though.

[Swart Kat]

Then I say, go big or go home and tell us all about it after Epic 2015! Me and my partner did it the other way round in 2011, first the Epic and then the Pioneer. Better start training then for the Pioneer, looks tuff this year!

[V12man]

It might be a bit early in your training to be very useful for the Epic from a fitness perspective - the most useful race pre-epic is probably the Knysna 300. Certainly riding the pioneer won't hurt your Epic prep in any way - enjoy it.

[VeloRacer]

I rode W2W and Garden Route 300 as prep for Epic this year.

Another must do race is Attakwas

[arendoog]

No problem .You will probably be in better shape for CPT than epic .After the first event you will be less motivated to train that hard again .The mistake will be to overtrain .On Dryland,s website there is a 12week training program that will prepare you for both .If you follow the program and do quality instead of quantity there should be no problem

[leona]

I rode ride the rock, tankwa and Sani mtn race the month before epic and I was fine..

[waveduke]

IMHO it might be too early. In October last year I was still clocking in mostly base training miles. Racing hard would have been counterproductive for me at that stage. Of course you can use Pioneer just to get the mileage in but then why spend that much money and then not race? Also I find it difficult not to race when in a race...

However - it all depends on your personal training plan, current fitness level and ambitions.

Good luck with the Epic!! It's an awesome experience!!

[Erasmus Pretorius]

Thanks for all your comments, it was merely a question to find out if both races are possible 5 months apart. How technical is the Pioneer?

[RABUBI]

I have done pioneer but not the Epic, but several of my friends done both

 

On any given day, Pioneer is no walk in the park an can test you as much as the epic,even though the .stages are shorter but do not underestimate. Last year we had two nghtmare stages due to rain

 

If you have a good base in your legs, and treat it like a training camp, rather than a race, it might be good preparation for epic

 

Beautifull part of the country, take some pics and stop to eat the ostritch fillet on waterpoint 3 each day

[arendoog]

Thanks for all your comments, it was merely a question to find out if both races are possible 5 months apart. How technical is the Pioneer?

If you cannot ride a technical climb and more importantly a descent then you are in for a long day every day .The climbs and descents are long and steep ,but mostly rideable .Stop and look around ,take in as much as you can .You might never pass that spot again