the unofficial Cape Epic thread

[Shebeen]

1 hour ago, lukelockie said:

technically the riders aren't allowed to post their rides to strava (according to the rules). Get familiar with that red flag button 🤣

That silly rule has been ignored for the past decade. The fact that it coincide with the polar sponsorship waning is merely conjecture.

exhibit A: the race winner ignoring the rule and still winning

https://www.strava.com/activities/11033828189

[Headshot]

GDK made a big deal about some rocks on the trail earlier on. How rocky is this version compared to last years? Its mostly buffed Tygerberm isn't it? 🙂 

[MaMc]

7 minutes ago, Headshot said:

GDK made a big deal about some rocks on the trail earlier on. How rocky is this version compared to last years? Its mostly buffed Tygerberm isn't it? 🙂 

Saying it's a manicured trail centre doesn't go with the "Untamed African MTB Race" slogan

[ChrisF]

25 minutes ago, Headshot said:

GDK made a big deal about some rocks on the trail earlier on. How rocky is this version compared to last years? Its mostly buffed Tygerberm isn't it? 🙂 

 

Today certainly is a notch up from Sunday !

[Headshot]

Interviews of some of the lower level contestants were illuminating. Two guys form Joburg - one has tried 2-3 times and never finished. Back for more this year. Another guy confessed to being a covid cyclist and had only started mountain biking 1 month ago.  Say what?

[ChrisF]

 

This one of the nicer sections .... along these service roads

[The Bull Shark]

Wednesday's attrition rate will be very high unless they shorten the day. I suspect the Mediclinic in Paarl will get quite a lot of new patients by the end of the evening. Riding those hills west of Paarl in 40 degrees will be brutal as there is not much shade to hide away in from the blazing sun.

[BuffsVintageBikes]

There's no nice way of saying this... hulle gaan klippe k@k en bloed p!s.

After today that realization will have hit them squarely between the eyes. This race is brutal in every way.

[Titleist]

15 minutes ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

There's no nice way of saying this... hulle gaan klippe k@k en bloed p!s.

After today that realization will have hit them squarely between the eyes. This race is brutal in every way.

And a lot of people paid big money to suffer.....🤣. 

[babse]

Marco joubert walked up a climb this morning...

wonder why he bothered entering the epic 🙊

[Rapunzel]

Spent quite a bit of time on the route today and it has been a day of attrition as it so often is on stage 1. Most mid and back of the pack riders portaged most of the Rhino/mast climb and it was difficult to be an upbeat spectator when you know there's a whole lot more climbing ahead, mostly on unforgiving surfaces with some tough gradients. 

Notable mentions go to ...

the tandems (I think 2) with blind stokers.

The german bloke riding in a speedo 

4 amputees that I counted and the one riding without a prosthetic leg

some amazing partners and team work, even later in the stage when the mojo disappears

the pros and top amateurs who still find the energy to interact with the crowd while racing at the sharp end of the field

 

[MongooseMan]

3 hours ago, Headshot said:

Interviews of some of the lower level contestants were illuminating. Two guys form Joburg - one has tried 2-3 times and never finished. Back for more this year. Another guy confessed to being a covid cyclist and had only started mountain biking 1 month ago.  Say what?

Hey, that’s me! 😂

Long story, but essentially a friend with a long backstory who needed a partner since he got dropped last minute.

i won’t pretend to be prepared (today was hell), but I’m giving it a go

[nathrix]

23 minutes ago, babse said:

Marco joubert walked up a climb this morning...

wonder why he bothered entering the epic 🙊

Can’t comment, need to have done three epics to qualify as a keyboard warrior 🤐

[SSCC]

7 hours ago, babse said:

the "King of Gravel" better live up to all his hype in days to come...

You mean the multiple times USA XC national champion? That guy? I think people forget that he’s first and foremost a mountain biker. 

Edited March 17, 2025 by SSCC

[RustyHWR]

21 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

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 ....

Or get an Ebike.

[Mamil]

32 minutes ago, Rapunzel said:

Spent quite a bit of time on the route today and it has been a day of attrition as it so often is on stage 1. Most mid and back of the pack riders portaged most of the Rhino/mast climb and it was difficult to be an upbeat spectator when you know there's a whole lot more climbing ahead, mostly on unforgiving surfaces with some tough gradients. 

Notable mentions go to ...

the tandems (I think 2) with blind stokers.

The german bloke riding in a speedo 

4 amputees that I counted and the one riding without a prosthetic leg

some amazing partners and team work, even later in the stage when the mojo disappears

the pros and top amateurs who still find the energy to interact with the crowd while racing at the sharp end of the field

 

I have never once managed to ride all the way up that rhino climb - and when I choose to take it on it's the worst part of the ride - as you say, they still had massive hills ahead.

I really don't know if I have an epic in me .... not that there's sponsors lining up of course.