Absa Cape Epic 2017

[Patchelicious]

I don't think anyone accused Myles of having a weird moustache?

...... yet.

[Slowbee]

Let me assure you that the tech skills requirements of an epic are higher than any other mtb race in Sa that is not DH or enduro - go and ride up and down groenlandberg from both sides and you will be partly enlightened... then do it at race speeds....

 

The final decent on day 1 was also interesting - loose rough rocky narrow and steep... and sustained.... oh - and it was HOT too.

 

Nothing on w2w is in that league - I will guarantee that.

 

One of the changes I made this year was to run a Knobby Nic on the front... in place of a roro- best move ever having it on.

V12, cant believe I have never ridden up groenlandberg. Which route did you guys use to get up ?

[jcza]

Some okes are angry that entries are sold out....

[Dicky DQ]

V12, cant believe I have never ridden up groenlandberg. Which route did you guys use to get up ?

There are 3 options, but most people only use 2. One is from the top of Viljoens pass the half way down and across (like this year's route) the other is from Van der stell pass half way between Botriver and Viljoens pass. the former is easier, if it can be called this. Then the run down to Thandi is INTERSTING especially at speed.

[The Bull Shark]

Let me assure you that the tech skills requirements of an epic are higher than any other mtb race in Sa that is not DH or enduro - go and ride up and down groenlandberg from both sides and you will be partly enlightened... then do it at race speeds....

 

The final decent on day 1 was also interesting - loose rough rocky narrow and steep... and sustained.... oh - and it was HOT too.

 

Nothing on w2w is in that league - I will guarantee that.

 

One of the changes I made this year was to run a Knobby Nic on the front... in place of a roro- best move ever having it on.

 

Yes, understood. I was referring to the tech skills required for W2W though. I have done A - Z trail before, and only the first 4 was tricky for me.

 

I understand that the Epic is a step up. In 2 weeks I might have a ride at Elandskloof, and someone else has invited me for a ride over Groenlandberg.

 

I do most of my riding at Helderberg and Eden/G-Spot/Coetzenburg. So I am working on those tech skills.

[Eugene Oppelt]

Any trail's technical demand is significantly raised with fatigue hey

 

Respect, Epic finishers ????????

[V12man]

Yes, understood. I was referring to the tech skills required for W2W though. I have done A - Z trail before, and only the first 4 was tricky for me.

 

I understand that the Epic is a step up. In 2 weeks I might have a ride at Elandskloof, and someone else has invited me for a ride over Groenlandberg.

 

I do most of my riding at Helderberg and Eden/G-Spot/Coetzenburg. So I am working on those tech skills.

You will be fine for w2w - it's very rideable - fun.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Yes, understood. I was referring to the tech skills required for W2W though. I have done A - Z trail before, and only the first 4 was tricky for me.

 

I understand that the Epic is a step up. In 2 weeks I might have a ride at Elandskloof, and someone else has invited me for a ride over Groenlandberg.

 

I do most of my riding at Helderberg and Eden/G-Spot/Coetzenburg. So I am working on those tech skills.

Very good places to practice. You also may want to do Jonkers. Canaries is riding BEAUTIFULLY at the moment, and you have to think quite fast.

[V12man]

There are 3 options, but most people only use 2. One is from the top of Viljoens pass the half way down and across (like this year's route) the other is from Van der stell pass half way between Botriver and Viljoens pass. the former is easier, if it can be called this. Then the run down to Thandi is INTERSTING especially at speed.

The way we went up this year wasn't a technical challenge at all - just a long climb - the downhill was interesting.... but we have previously been up that downhill and that is a challenge to ride.

[V12man]

V12, cant believe I have never ridden up groenlandberg. Which route did you guys use to get up ?

I just followed the white boards with red arrows... - I don't have a clue where it really went.

[Sparki 1]

I still cannot believe those Aspen tyres won....

[FCH]

Did his tyres ever hit a rock?

[Acerunner]

Let me assure you that the tech skills requirements of an epic are higher than any other mtb race in Sa that is not DH or enduro - go and ride up and down groenlandberg from both sides and you will be partly enlightened... then do it at race speeds....

 

The final decent on day 1 was also interesting - loose rough rocky narrow and steep... and sustained.... oh - and it was HOT too.

 

Nothing on w2w is in that league - I will guarantee that.

 

One of the changes I made this year was to run a Knobby Nic on the front... in place of a roro- best move ever having it on.

Downhills on Groenland and Haarkapper, OM.W!!!! Almost snapped my neck off there..

[TIB]

How does Groenland & Haarkapper compare to the Witzenberg up and down on last years Epic Stage 2?

[V12man]

How does Groenland & Haarkapper compare to the Witzenberg up and down on last years Epic Stage 2?

Haarkapper downhill was probably a touch trickier because of the trail conditions- the uphill also - I rode the entire up and down last year but this year going up Haarkapper meant a walk at the top- some of it traffic and some of it tech - at some point it's less effort to hike. Going down was rideable all the way but I wished it would end a lot earlier than it did... and a lot of riders did the sensible thing and push some of the downhill sections. Mostly they accommodate riders passing quite well.

[nathrix]

75 big ones

...and that now excludes daily bike wash, that's extra...