How do you justify a Cape Epic entry?

[MTBeer]

25 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

wow that insta page is quite a ride! now i know where mr photoshop selfies gets his inspiration

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ8s55MlQJR/

gets an Oakley tattoo after a wipeout and thanks the helmet

 

34 weeks later

new helmet sponsor!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTFMyZ5oKdA/

 

I bought my first pair of @oakleybike Eyeshade back in 1988 from @olympiccycles. The Eyeshade and @oakley has been symbolic of everything that cycling means to me, dreams and freedom. After Greg LeMond won his first #TourdeFrance in 1986 sporting a the Eyeshade. I had to own a pair. I think I realize more and more why I am prepared to mark my body with brands that I revere and adore, it’s my story. It’s a chapter out of the book of my book my life. It’s my passion. criticized or revered, this is my expression.

Jeez, what a load of drivel.

[Spafsack]

This gent is hard core ????

[_David_]

WTF who is this guy, some sort of social media Influencer?

[Baracuda]

20 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

Cause and effect and  having been participatory in the set up of AMA and trail advocacy during that era. Tygerberg MTB club was formed because guys who rode the epic wanted to create a trail network that would allow riders to be able to train for it in safety. The saying build it and they will come.

Land Owners got an idea of what the event could bring to them in terms of exposure and an alternative revenue stream. AMA was also central to this. Trails got built, riders used more trails to train for "epic" and other landowners didn't want to be left out in the cold so more jumped on the band wagon.

Would this have happened if the epic didn't create a pathway for mtb to slip out of the shadows of cycling and into the limelight?

The growth in MTB closely approximates the increasing popularity of the Epic. The biggest growth spurt was from 2009 through to 2015, immediately after the subprime bubble burst. so its was not so much an economic driver but potentially due to land owners wanting to supplement their revenue  streams with eco tourism and MTB was at the forefront.

Other Stage races sprang up and positioned themselves as training events for the Cape Epic. Hence they've mostly adopted the same format.

So picking up the growth of MTB sales

aligned to the inaugural Cape Epic and more closely to the 2005 event

the addition of trails from this point, 

the formalisation of trail advocacy

and the construction of more trails all picks up from this point around the 2005 to 2008 window.

Its difficult to separate MTB in the Western Cape from the cape epic just as its difficult to separate road racing from the Argust.

I am sorry, but one can't seriously believe "mtb slipped out of the shadows of cycling" due to the Cape Epic????

It is one little event that has no impact beyond the small group who ride it who are perhaps 0.01% of mountain bikers in South Africa. Most mountain bikers I know in the Cape have never done the event and never will, and spend much time investing in trails etc. We mountain bike because it is fun, not to do some silly stage race.

Outside of the blinked realm of the W.Cape or even South Africa, mountain biking has exploded because it is fantastic, not due to an elitist event in South Africa.

 

Edited September 10, 2021 by Baracuda

[stefmeister]

1 hour ago, Shebeen said:

wow that insta page is quite a ride! now i know where mr photoshop selfies gets his inspiration

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ8s55MlQJR/

gets an Oakley tattoo after a wipeout and thanks the helmet

 

34 weeks later

new helmet sponsor!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTFMyZ5oKdA/

 

Wow, what has the world come to? 75k followers willingly look at selfies of a ginger with glasses? 

[_David_]

My thoughts exactly 

[DieselnDust]

27 minutes ago, Baracuda said:

I am sorry, but one can't seriously believe "mtb slipped out of the shadows of cycling" due to the Cape Epic????

It is one little event that has no impact beyond the small group who ride it who are perhaps 0.01% of mountain bikers in South Africa. Most mountain bikers I know in the Cape have never done the event and never will, and spend much time investing in trails etc. We mountain bike because it is fun, not to do some silly stage race.

Outside of the blinked realm of the W.Cape or even South Africa, mountain biking has exploded because it is fantastic, not due to an elitist event in South Africa.

 

 

 

ok semasoe.

 

[Trashy]

2 hours ago, stefmeister said:

Wow, what has the world come to? 75k followers willingly look at selfies of a ginger with glasses? 

Looking at the comments I'd bet a fair number of those are followers were bought.

Also, dude takes himself WAY too seriously. Wow.

[Jewbacca]

20 minutes ago, Trashy said:

Looking at the comments I'd bet a fair number of those are followers were bought.

Also, dude takes himself WAY too seriously. Wow.

BLOCKED

[Headshot]

4 hours ago, Shebeen said:

wow that insta page is quite a ride! now i know where mr photoshop selfies gets his inspiration

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ8s55MlQJR/

gets an Oakley tattoo after a wipeout and thanks the helmet

 

34 weeks later

new helmet sponsor!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTFMyZ5oKdA/

 

Is this guy like the bearded Barbie of Roadies? Eish...

[stefmeister]

1 hour ago, Trashy said:

Looking at the comments I'd bet a fair number of those are followers were bought.

Also, dude takes himself WAY too seriously. Wow.

Even if only 10% is real followers, it's still a sad indictment on society. This (and 99% of  instagram/tiktok) is just the lamest, most uninspiring, low value junk that ever existed.

[Headshot]

3 hours ago, Baracuda said:

I am sorry, but one can't seriously believe "mtb slipped out of the shadows of cycling" due to the Cape Epic????

It is one little event that has no impact beyond the small group who ride it who are perhaps 0.01% of mountain bikers in South Africa. Most mountain bikers I know in the Cape have never done the event and never will, and spend much time investing in trails etc. We mountain bike because it is fun, not to do some silly stage race.

Outside of the blinked realm of the W.Cape or even South Africa, mountain biking has exploded because it is fantastic, not due to an elitist event in South Africa.

 

I think both of you have valid points. It all depends on the circles you cycle in. There re definitely a klomp riders in SA who identify with the Epic, aspire to do it and have done it. The guys I refer to in my first post on this thread. There is no denying the Epic has inspired many people to ride bikes long distances, spend lots on bikes and kit and has also spawned a wrath of copycat races eg CPT, S2C etc... Its a cumulative effect. We are a skewed and somewhat unique market - nowhere besides Brazil is marathon riding so big and fun trail and gravity assisted MTB so small. That is changing slowly, possibly helped by the very thing that we are complaining about. Events like the Epic have alienated most of us with their pricing and terrible video propaganda and having to deal with those epic one track ego's who don't really want to know about anything else. 

 

And maybe even eBikes are helping, which are more like enduro bikes and encourage fun descending antics.. 

[Danger Dassie]

47 minutes ago, Headshot said:

I think both of you have valid points. It all depends on the circles you cycle in. There re definitely a klomp riders in SA who identify with the Epic, aspire to do it and have done it. The guys I refer to in my first post on this thread. There is no denying the Epic has inspired many people to ride bikes long distances, spend lots on bikes and kit and has also spawned a wrath of copycat races eg CPT, S2C etc... Its a cumulative effect. We are a skewed and somewhat unique market - nowhere besides Brazil is marathon riding so big and fun trail and gravity assisted MTB so small. That is changing slowly, possibly helped by the very thing that we are complaining about. Events like the Epic have alienated most of us with their pricing and terrible video propaganda and having to deal with those epic one track ego's who don't really want to know about anything else. 

 

And maybe even eBikes are helping, which are more like enduro bikes and encourage fun descending antics.. 

Brazil makes up a significant portion of the entries. SA is still the capital of stage and marathon events, but places like Aus, US and a few Euro nations are also seeing a lot of growth in these disciplines. Marathon World Champs is an increasingly contested event. 
As far as pricing goes, yes Epic has become the marque event in that respect. Personally I don't feel alienated by the event, I enjoy it for what it is and am grateful that in some part I've been able to make a form of living out of the sport/event. 
They have their **** together and are a slick organisation setting the standard in international appeal. Thats not for everyone and yes the elitism will be a partial byproduct, fortunately not everyone subscribes to that. 

[Danger Dassie]

4 hours ago, Baracuda said:

I am sorry, but one can't seriously believe "mtb slipped out of the shadows of cycling" due to the Cape Epic????

It is one little event that has no impact beyond the small group who ride it who are perhaps 0.01% of mountain bikers in South Africa. Most mountain bikers I know in the Cape have never done the event and never will, and spend much time investing in trails etc. We mountain bike because it is fun, not to do some silly stage race.

Outside of the blinked realm of the W.Cape or even South Africa, mountain biking has exploded because it is fantastic, not due to an elitist event in South Africa.

 

Actually yes, in many respects the sport's national impetus was gained by the Cape Epic's reputation and international status. Through that many people, who will never ride Epic, have discovered an awesome sport. Over the years the sport has seen growth and maturity beyond the endurance sufferfest of Epic.
A good example is Burry Stander. He was an exceptional XCO racer with many accomplishments ahead of his Cape Epic titles, but he only became more widely known as an athlete and after winning Epic. This also brought XCO more into the fore for riders. 
Platt is another example, he was a consistent top ten finisher in World Cup XCO, wins Cape Epic and suddenly everyone locally and in Germany know who he is. 

Cape Epic gave an injection of broader appeal to South African MTB, locally and abroad. This is a fact. It doesn't mean it's central and all encompassing to SA MTB, but it absolutely has played a role in the growth of the sport.  

[DieselnDust]

4 hours ago, Danger Dassie said:

Actually yes, in many respects the sport's national impetus was gained by the Cape Epic's reputation and international status. Through that many people, who will never ride Epic, have discovered an awesome sport. Over the years the sport has seen growth and maturity beyond the endurance sufferfest of Epic.
A good example is Burry Stander. He was an exceptional XCO racer with many accomplishments ahead of his Cape Epic titles, but he only became more widely known as an athlete and after winning Epic. This also brought XCO more into the fore for riders. 
Platt is another example, he was a consistent top ten finisher in World Cup XCO, wins Cape Epic and suddenly everyone locally and in Germany know who he is. 

Cape Epic gave an injection of broader appeal to South African MTB, locally and abroad. This is a fact. It doesn't mean it's central and all encompassing to SA MTB, but it absolutely has played a role in the growth of the sport.  

 

 

Also lets consider the state of mountainbiking in South Africa pre Cape Epic i.e. 2003.

The biggest race was Giants castle MTB Marathon at about 85km

Knysna MTB marathon was a measely 55km long and was considered extreme at the time. It attracted a field of about 300-400 riders who were considered to be at the leading edge of the sport. A Year later the best and hardiest amateurs have signed up for the inaugural Cape Epic.

Suddenly a 55km race was a shorter race by a long way then the rest day of the Cape Epic.

You had to finish 7 days of rugged riding on the frame and wheels you started on.

You had to live in a tent and eat the food they gave you.

Overnight the game shifted from a leisurely trundle trundle through the Outeniqua mountains to a journey from Knysna to Cape Town.

People bought into it. The first Epic took about 3 months to sell out, the 2nd took 2 days and with a much larger field of 1200 riders. The 3rd sold out in 2 hours.. the record for early bird entries is less than 12seconds. 

The Cape Epic Forum was full of riders, local and international, looking for entries and If I recall it was R4500 per person back then. Hardcore mountain bikers thought it a mad sum of money for a crappy leather medal, two t-shirts and an Adidas riders jersey plus a tog bag. (the sum of the goody bag back then).

In 2005 we still shared showers in some race villages when water was a problem. In 2004 it was the norm.  You carried enough kit for 8 days, spares including shoes. 

In Cape Town during that time there were maybe 3 or 4 bikes shops capable of servicing Mountain Bikes and their suspension. Bowman's Cycles, Olympic Cycles, Chris Willemse, Bridge Cycles and to an extent Crown Cycles. In Stellenbosch Village had folded and moved on. Williams Bike Shop didn't exist till after the 2005 event. Helderberg Cycles I think had just started and Specialized wasn't even available in SA. I know this for a fact since my boss called me from Houston in December of 2004 to ask what I thought about the Specialized Epic because he was planning to get one for he and his wife for the Epic. He was probably the first GM to ride the Cape Epic on an EPIC. The only other Scalpels in the field belonged to the Vredestein Cannondale Team or international riders  and okes were still doing their nutt in when looking at this single sided strut and asking why. No one would service it so I made chums with the mechanics at Cannondale Vredestein Racing through my Dutch connections and all was good with the world. There was no buying your way out of problems,...... here you needed relationships.

The common rhetoric after the 2005 event was, get a fuss suspension bike. Mountain biking literally exploded. By 2006 Sani2C was heading for its 2nd edition. It was oversubscribed. Mountain Bike stage racing in SA, was on its way and dragged the rest of MTB along for the ride.

Only in the last 4-5 years has this bubble burst and mountain bikers are realising that there are other ways to compete and have fun. #Enduro, and XCO are growing. The last few XCO races of 2021 had a full field with riders being turned away.

This growth spurt in 2005 through 2008 happened independently of what was going on in the rest of the world. There was a always the DH, the FreeRide fringe and for a while I was into that but proper lone wolf style. That genre was small and very specialised. It's growth was independant ( and much much slower) of Marathon but before 2004 it was more or less the same thing. from 2005 onward there is a distinct splitting of pathways in SA.

 

If SA had a version megavalanche then maybe trailbikes and that sub culture would have caught on sooner and grown quicker but it didn't. Trail building was focussed at catering for the marathon crowd and the rest is history. 

Edited September 10, 2021 by DieselnDust

[Sid the Sloth]

5 hours ago, Spafsack said:

This gent is hard core ????

I would say his core is a bit pudgy. If you want a hard core, carbs and veggies are the way to go. Meat is over-rated.

Edited September 10, 2021 by Sid the Sloth
punctuation