the unofficial Cape Epic thread

[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 🤣

[dev null]

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 Sunday at 05:47 PM 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 😝

[DieselnDust]

17 hours ago, ChrisF said:

Real question .... why do people enter the Epic when they have to walk the first single track ? 

 

 

EDIT - As per my next post, referring to the early riders walking the DOWN single tracks ...

If you’re referring to the Dorstberg descent in today’s prologue then I’ll tell you it’s no joke. It’s very loose, rutted and kitty kat steep. I was cadence braking down there to keep speed under control. If one person in front of you stops or crashes then you have two choices. 
ride over them 

head for the fynbos and that’s no fynbos. This not the usual singletrack but a track that literally runs straight down the mountain .

17 hours ago, nathrix said:

Was thinking exactly the same!

That’s a 16% gradient. It’s steep and about 250m long. It’s called Ongegund Killer

11 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

Okay, you missed my next post.

 

Couple of the early riders were walking the DOWN single track.

 

 

Short of a technical that did not make any sense .... thus my question.

Very steep, very lose and cooked brakes

Edited Monday at 12:31 AM by DieselnDust

[babse]

49 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

If you’re referring to the Dorstberg descent in today’s prologue then I’ll tel you it’s not joke. It’s very lose, rutted and kitty kat steep. I was cadence braking down there to keep speed under control. If one person in front of you stops or crashes then you have two choices. 
ride over them 

head for the fynbos and that’s no fynbos. This not the usual singletrack but a track that literally runs straight down the mountain .

That’s a 16% gradient. It’s steep and about 250m long.

Very steep, very lose and cooked brakes

All the best for week ahead!

 

Keep us posted on your ride and experiences.

Always keen to hear war stories first hand.

[DieselnDust]

Prologue Feedback.

we headed down the start ramp at 7:17

The weather was awesome, cool , light drizzle and a very light breeze. 
we took dorstberg easy as my Teamie just finished a round of anti biotics for a cheat infection. I pegged my HR at 158 max while Hans was hitting that +20bpm. So damage limitation kicked in. Ride his pace.

over the top and straight into a dramatic lose drop Down the otherside. This track was near as damnit straight down with a a few gentle meanders to the left and right to spice things up. Braking was effective until it wasn’t so cadence braking stepped in for the win. 
The next obstacle was the floating pellet trail. Followed immediately by about 80m of a devil thorn plantation designed to suck the air and sealant from your tyres.

the climb up to the Toyota technical terrain was another super steep leg sapper at 18%.

shake rattle and roll was dispatched with great joy and I could resist the crowds goading to take the A-line. They were looking to collect some skin tax but not today, much to their delight. 
 

we passed back into meerendal where the Ongegund killer took some more leg tax. That’s the one  a few posts with people walking. 
stairway to heaven was next to take some more from many legs that are  alresdy feeling The Epic. 

Stage 1 will sort out the pecking order far more effectively. More later…..
 

[ChrisF]

3 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

Prologue Feedback.

we headed down the start ramp at 7:17

The weather was awesome, cool , light drizzle and a very light breeze. 
we took dorstberg easy as my Teamie just finished a round of anti biotics for a cheat infection. I pegged my HR at 158 max while Hans was hitting that +20bpm. So damage limitation kicked in. Ride his pace.

over the top and straight into a dramatic lose drop Down the otherside. This track was near as damnit straight down with a a few gentle meanders to the left and right to spice things up. Braking was effective until it wasn’t so cadence braking stepped in for the win. 
The next obstacle was the floating pellet trail. Followed immediately by about 80m of a devil thorn plantation designed to suck the air and sealant from your tyres.

the climb up to the Toyota technical terrain was another super steep leg sapper at 18%.

shake rattle and roll was dispatched with great joy and I could resist the crowds goading to take the A-line. They were looking to collect some skin tax but not today, much to their delight. 
 

we passed back into meerendal where the Ongegund killer took some more leg tax. That’s the one  a few posts with people walking. 
stairway to heaven was next to take some more from many legs that are  alresdy feeling The Epic. 

Stage 1 will sort out the pecking order far more effectively. More later…..
 

 

Well done.

 

Best wishes for your week ahead.

[Zebra]

11 hours ago, Lynskey said:

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

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

Actually, Eggbeaters OFTEN benefit from the ‘contact sleeves’ supplied in 6 different sizes, to ‘cure this very issue - there are SO many shoe SOLE profiles, that some essentially make little/no contact, thus the contact sleeves.

Amabubesi, 3-peat

['Dale]

The South Easter is pumping here and bunch riding will be inevitable. Conserving energy and staying out of the red will be key by hiding a bit behind Matt.

The course is dry, dusty and rocky. It’ll be tough for the aspiring amateur, especially the wall up to the Mast, with a moerse headwind.

Edited Monday at 07:50 AM by 'Dale

[Jbr]

Ooof I feel for the riders having to race up that concrete mast climb 😅

[Jbr]

got a feeling my KOM on anah beuulah won't be mine anymore soon

Edited Monday at 07:32 AM by Jbr

[lukelockie]

38 minutes ago, Jbr said:

got a feeling my KOM on anah beuulah won't be mine anymore soon

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