the unofficial Cape Epic thread

[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 Monday at 03:31 PM 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.

[babse]

42 minutes ago, SSCC said:

You mean the multiple times USA XC national champion? That guy? 

That exact guy! 

He hardly had a sniff on the front of yesterday prologue (XC type) and again off the pace today.

Hope he comes good and gives Beers a shot at another win!

[NotSoBigBen]

52 minutes ago, Mamil said:

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.

You'd be surprised, I bet you do .... many that hear I've done it seem to find it hard to believe. Just saying

Only 1 though so can't really comment on anything here 😜

Edited Monday at 03:22 PM by NotSoBigBen

[Danger Dassie]

Some prologue gallery vibes - https://off.road.cc/content/feature/2025-absa-cape-epic-prologue-gallery-16749

Edited Monday at 03:56 PM by Danger Dassie

[Mamil]

Where's @DieselnDustride report? 

[ChrisF]

3 hours ago, MongooseMan said:

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

 

Ride report please 

 

BEST wishes for your ride.

[DieselnDust]

30 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Where's @DieselnDustride report? 

Patience Paduwan 

[peetwindhoek]

49 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Where's @DieselnDustride report? 

Probably still riding, it looked brutal!

[babse]

10 minutes ago, peetwindhoek said:

Probably still riding, it looked brutal!

My thoughts exactly... I was gona say just jumped out the shower.

 

Looked einah 

[babse]