the unofficial Cape Epic thread

[Wannabe]

1 hour ago, Spafsack said:

You pay 100k plus and have to walk, it does look really steep but then zig zag and try reduce incline. Sometimes walking hurts you more, rather just get it over with. Unless it's really loose and you spinning, then I get it.

It's got a long drag from the time you cross the tar road from Hoogies, then you have a virtual wall to crest when crossing the service road (it's a working wine farm) before this section kicks up immediately and brutally. That little wall breaks your momentum completely. Then that little section, short it may be, is full of loose pebbles/rocks with the odd erosion ditch. No way to get a proper run in, and zig zagging does not help much, but to break the little momentum you had, and then you start to lose traction on the loose soil.

So, I do not begrudge anyone walking/pushing that section.

Walking down Dorstberg singletrack, now that's another story altogether.

Edited March 16, 2025 by Wannabe
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[Jbr]

34 minutes ago, babse said:

Did Swenson even take 1 turn on the front?  🤨

all I saw was him 2 bikelengths behind in the last kilometers

[cadenceblur]

27 minutes ago, Wannabe said:

It's got a long drag from the time you cross the tar road from Hoogies, then you have a virtual wall to crest when crossing the service road (it's a working wine farm) before this section kicks up immediately and brutally. That little wall breaks your momentum completely. Then that little section, short it may be, is full of loose pebbles/rocks with the odd erosion ditch. No way to get a proper run in, and zig zagging does not help much, but to break the little momentum you had, and then you start to lose traction on the loose soil.

So, I do not begrudge anyone walking/pushing that section.

Walking down Dorstberg singletrack, now that's another story altogether.

Yeah, easy for us armchair experts to pass commentary, in fact Gerald mentioned that for many it’s daily management of effort so to walk today means more energy to tackle tomorrow. 
The lack of skills for the singles is another story but maybe people are so scared of a race ending fall? 

[117]

6 hours ago, Michael S said:

Whats the purpose of the green what looks like a zip tie on the pedal?

I wonder if its there to prevent him clipping into that side of the pedal as maybe the extra flange they talk about is only one sided? 

[ajnkzn]

It reduces float on your pedal. 
 

Makes you feel more locked in - I’ve been trying it and definitely won’t go back to no cable tie. 

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Wannabe said:

It's got a long drag from the time you cross the tar road from Hoogies, then you have a virtual wall to crest when crossing the service road (it's a working wine farm) before this section kicks up immediately and brutally. That little wall breaks your momentum completely. Then that little section, short it may be, is full of loose pebbles/rocks with the odd erosion ditch. No way to get a proper run in, and zig zagging does not help much, but to break the little momentum you had, and then you start to lose traction on the loose soil.

So, I do not begrudge anyone walking/pushing that section.

Walking down Dorstberg singletrack, now that's another story altogether.

 

I agree with you 100%, both on the up and down sections.

 

Yet, one has to wonder .... surely there are going to be many more such steep sections in the next week.  Only a select few can power a 40 ring up there, at what point do the walkers need to re-think their gearing for this event ?  

 

At least it is easy to adjust gearing .... late in the day if you cant manage the Dorstberg single track ....

[SamTaylor]

I’m sure all the armchair critics have at least amabubesi status to back up their comments? 

[Lynskey]

41 minutes ago, ajnkzn said:

It reduces float on your pedal. 
 

Makes you feel more locked in - I’ve been trying it and definitely won’t go back to no cable tie. 

Why not just use real pedals? Eggbeaters don't need cable ties.

And yes... I do have amabubesi status 🤩📸

[Titleist]

Based on the amount of walkers today, tomorrow will have a lot of DNF’s….

[KV.SA]

7 hours ago, 'Dale said:

The cooler weather forecasted will really assist fatigued bodies on Stages 678, however passage to the cooler days will have to be earned with 40 degree days on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Paarl, Boland is the scene for Wednesday's stage and temps at 37 degrees which will register about 43-45 on the measurement devices.

Going back up Paarl mountain via Boulder City is going to be brutal after 60kms and in 40+ degree heat 😂

[ajnkzn]

23 minutes ago, Lynskey said:

Why not just use real pedals? Eggbeaters don't need cable ties.

And yes... I do have amabubesi status 🤩📸

The second time I had to pedal 20km home pulling my eggbeater onto the spindle with my cramping inner thigh miscle, after the end piece broke was the last time 🤣

[The Bull Shark]

13 minutes ago, KV.SA said:

Going back up Paarl mountain via Boulder City is going to be brutal after 60kms and in 40+ degree heat 😂

Wednesday will be the killer. I stayed in Paarl for 4 years. Paarl 40 degrees is different to Strand 40 degrees. Went for a trap on a hot day on Jan Phillips many years ago before I could do proper MTBing and I emptied my stomach on Hoof straat.

Edited March 16, 2025 by dev null

[Mamil]

Incredible to watch those elites riding the trails I ride so often. 

[ChrisF]

10 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Incredible to watch those elites riding the trails I ride so often. 

 

Watching them blast through that gate at the top of the vineyard of Missing link 

 

Camera does not do justice to the limited space either side of the bars ...

 

Couple of spots where I recall us struggling with some sections, and these ladies and gents make it look so easy 👍

 

Really grateful for the coverage.

[babse]

10 hours ago, Michael S said:

Whats the purpose of the green what looks like a zip tie on the pedal?

 

[babse]

2 hours ago, ajnkzn said:

The second time I had to pedal 20km home pulling my eggbeater onto the spindle with my cramping inner thigh miscle, after the end piece broke was the last time 🤣

Also previous eggbeater now XT user...

 

Awaiting to finish amabubesi so my opinion may be weak 😝