the unofficial Cape Epic thread

[Dappere]

I might receive criticism for saying this, but I don’t entirely understand the sentiment expressed by some people here. I truly don’t believe that the organisers—past or present—would ever wish harm upon anyone participating in the event. A fatality is undoubtedly the worst possible outcome, and my heartfelt condolences go out to the individual’s family and loved ones.

That said, I’m not entirely sure what is being expected from the community in response. At times, it feels like there’s a call to boycott the event or respond with anger or vengeance. I understand the emotion behind this, but it also seems to overlook the broader context.

Kevin has always been transparent about the nature of the event. That may have changed slightly since the event was sold, but I still believe many underestimate just how massive and complex a logistical undertaking the Epic truly is. In an interview Kevin did around five years ago, he mentioned that each edition of the Epic takes a full 12 months to plan and generates over R300 million in economic impact for the Western Cape annually—in his own words, a conservative estimate. The event employs more than 800 people, and the average stay for a team is around 13 days.

The Cape Epic has done a great deal for South Africa and South Africans. It has created jobs, provided exposure and opportunity for local athletes, and attracted international visitors who often return to the country—sometimes multiple times—further contributing to the economy. I know several European friends who have come back to South Africa on holiday after experiencing the Epic.

Of course, it is deeply saddening to hear of someone losing their life during such an event, and that should never be dismissed. But I also believe we should acknowledge the positive impact the Epic continues to have, both economically and in terms of building the local cycling community.

[Pandatron]

8 minutes ago, Dappere said:

I might receive criticism for saying this, but I don’t entirely understand the sentiment expressed by some people here. I truly don’t believe that the organisers—past or present—would ever wish harm upon anyone participating in the event. A fatality is undoubtedly the worst possible outcome, and my heartfelt condolences go out to the individual’s family and loved ones.

That said, I’m not entirely sure what is being expected from the community in response. At times, it feels like there’s a call to boycott the event or respond with anger or vengeance. I understand the emotion behind this, but it also seems to overlook the broader context.

Kevin has always been transparent about the nature of the event. That may have changed slightly since the event was sold, but I still believe many underestimate just how massive and complex a logistical undertaking the Epic truly is. In an interview Kevin did around five years ago, he mentioned that each edition of the Epic takes a full 12 months to plan and generates over R300 million in economic impact for the Western Cape annually—in his own words, a conservative estimate. The event employs more than 800 people, and the average stay for a team is around 13 days.

The Cape Epic has done a great deal for South Africa and South Africans. It has created jobs, provided exposure and opportunity for local athletes, and attracted international visitors who often return to the country—sometimes multiple times—further contributing to the economy. I know several European friends who have come back to South Africa on holiday after experiencing the Epic.

Of course, it is deeply saddening to hear of someone losing their life during such an event, and that should never be dismissed. But I also believe we should acknowledge the positive impact the Epic continues to have, both economically and in terms of building the local cycling community.

Its the bikehub forum, every year this follows the same journey. 

We watch Epic, cheer our people on and then write a masochistic self flagellation of how we would never ride epic due to the price and whatever flavour is going of the current year. We then end this off with a disclaimer that if we got a ticket for free we would do it.

 

[Shebeen]

15 minutes ago, Dappere said:

I might receive criticism for saying this, but I don’t entirely understand the sentiment expressed by some people here. I truly don’t believe that the organisers—past or present—would ever wish harm upon anyone participating in the event. A fatality is undoubtedly the worst possible outcome, and my heartfelt condolences go out to the individual’s family and loved ones.

That said, I’m not entirely sure what is being expected from the community in response. At times, it feels like there’s a call to boycott the event or respond with anger or vengeance. I understand the emotion behind this, but it also seems to overlook the broader context.

Kevin has always been transparent about the nature of the event. That may have changed slightly since the event was sold, but I still believe many underestimate just how massive and complex a logistical undertaking the Epic truly is. In an interview Kevin did around five years ago, he mentioned that each edition of the Epic takes a full 12 months to plan and generates over R300 million in economic impact for the Western Cape annually—in his own words, a conservative estimate. The event employs more than 800 people, and the average stay for a team is around 13 days.

The Cape Epic has done a great deal for South Africa and South Africans. It has created jobs, provided exposure and opportunity for local athletes, and attracted international visitors who often return to the country—sometimes multiple times—further contributing to the economy. I know several European friends who have come back to South Africa on holiday after experiencing the Epic.

Of course, it is deeply saddening to hear of someone losing their life during such an event, and that should never be dismissed. But I also believe we should acknowledge the positive impact the Epic continues to have, both economically and in terms of building the local cycling community.

simple:

Kevin prioritized the rider experience to build the long term legacy of the event at the expense of short term profit.

Ironman are using the long term legacy to prioritize the short term profit at the expense of rider experience.

 

well that's the way this keyboard warrior sees it, backed up by riders from the field

[Shebeen]

wonder if Tristan Nortje got a standing ovation at school assembly yesterday. Headmaster must be super proud of him!

[Dappere]

1 minute ago, Shebeen said:

simple:

Kevin prioritized the rider experience to build the long term legacy of the event at the expense of short term profit.

Ironman are using the long term legacy to prioritize the short term profit at the expense of rider experience.

 

well that's the way this keyboard warrior sees it, backed up by riders from the field

Fair – but the event still has a positive impact on South Africa. Beyond the race itself, people are booking accommodation, dining at local restaurants, and supporting small businesses. That broader ripple effect is still significant.

It seems we share a similar perspective – appreciate the clarification.

[andydude]

Saw on Beers' instagram!

[andydude]

23 minutes ago, Dappere said:

Fair – but the event still has a positive impact on South Africa. Beyond the race itself, people are booking accommodation, dining at local restaurants, and supporting small businesses. That broader ripple effect is still significant.

It seems we share a similar perspective – appreciate the clarification.

Running a well organised event and still having a positive impact is not mutually exclusive?

[ajnkzn]

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

https://off.road.cc/content/feature/bike-check-lukas-baums-2025-cape-epic-orbea-oiz-16775

https://off.road.cc/content/feature/how-amputee-riders-approach-the-cape-epic-16763

https://off.road.cc/content/feature/retrospective-the-evolution-of-nino-schurter-s-cross-country-race-bikes-14797

 

[Dappere]

17 minutes ago, andydude said:

Running a well organised event and still having a positive impact is not mutually exclusive?

Both can — and should — coexist. However, given the sentiment expressed here, it does appear there’s a call to boycott the event or to respond with anger or a sense of retribution, without acknowledging the broader impact the event has had — and continues to have.

It comes across as, “I’m angry, so everyone else should be too,” with little consideration given to the wider context or the positive contributions the event brings to local communities and the country as a whole.

[Mamil]

1 hour ago, Pandatron said:

Its the bikehub forum, every year this follows the same journey. 

We watch Epic, cheer our people on and then write a masochistic self flagellation of how we would never ride epic due to the price and whatever flavour is going of the current year. We then end this off with a disclaimer that if we got a ticket for free we would do it.

 

That sums me up in a paragraph

[Rowl]

32 minutes ago, Dappere said:

Both can — and should — coexist. However, given the sentiment expressed here, it does appear there’s a call to boycott the event or to respond with anger or a sense of retribution, without acknowledging the broader impact the event has had — and continues to have.

It comes across as, “I’m angry, so everyone else should be too,” with little consideration given to the wider context or the positive contributions the event brings to local communities and the country as a whole.

If a well organised event attracts people, then a poorly organised/less optimal event will potentially antagonise participants and start pushing people away. Short-term unhappiness will lead to potentially a decline in long-term numbers, and all the postive externalities/impact on the WC/SA will fall away?

 

Is it not in the best interest of the organiser and region, for the organiser to action the rider feedback? And not come across as tone-deaf?

 

I didn't participate, won't probably ever (unless I get a free ticket), but can surely see that the Epic's lekkerness will decline with the current approach. 

[Dappere]

17 minutes ago, Rowl said:

If a well organised event attracts people, then a poorly organised/less optimal event will potentially antagonise participants and start pushing people away. Short-term unhappiness will lead to potentially a decline in long-term numbers, and all the postive externalities/impact on the WC/SA will fall away?

 

Is it not in the best interest of the organiser and region, for the organiser to action the rider feedback? And not come across as tone-deaf?

 

I didn't participate, won't probably ever (unless I get a free ticket), but can surely see that the Epic's lekkerness will decline with the current approach. 

I don’t dispute the positive outcomes a well-organised event brings — I’m fully aligned with you on that. I also agree that it’s in the organiser’s best interest to take rider feedback seriously if they wish to preserve the event’s long-term appeal and its value to the region.

That said, while there’s clearly a lot of frustration being expressed here, the tendency to respond with anger or a sense of retribution is something I struggle to support. I’m genuinely curious — beyond the discussions on BikeHub, what active steps have been taken by those voicing these concerns to provide constructive feedback? On what basis are we saying the organisers are coming across as tone-deaf?

To be clear, I’m not suggesting that poor organisation should be overlooked simply because the event delivers value. Quite the opposite — we should acknowledge its value while also raising concerns in a manner that fosters improvement, rather than further division.

[Action_Man]

On 3/23/2025 at 10:24 PM, Shebeen said:

Yes. Definitely the female GOAT. To dominate 6 months after having a baby is insane.  But it also says so much about the depth of the female field. Equal prize money has not raised the standard (many will say told you so). Not sure what they do, but the ladies race is just not the same level. 

Platt and sauser still the ones up in lights (imho).

Perhaps you missed watching last year's Epic, or have forgotten already, but the women's race was super tight racing all the way to the final stage. 

 

The problem this year is that the UCI moved the Brazil XCO World Cups a week earlier which made it a bad idea for anyone who's serious about the XCO season to come to Cape Epic. 

 

Unfortunately there is little to no money in marathon racing globally, men and woman; hence why many marathon racers from overseas can't afford to come race the Cape Epic - it's not a true reflection of how many good marathon racers there actually are out there. Have a look at World Marathon Championships results over the past years and see how many guys who have done well at Cape Epic have not even been able to feature at a Marathon World Champs as a comparison because foreign countries can afford to send riders to a Marathon World Championships, but they can't afford to send them to do the Epic. 

 

XCO has more budget, but none of the XCO women's teams were willing to spend big budget this year sending riders and staff to Cape Epic so close before the start of the XCO series. The risk vs exposure wasn't worth it. 

 

 

Edited yesterday at 09:28 AM by Action_Man

[Rowl]

52 minutes ago, Dappere said:

I don’t dispute the positive outcomes a well-organised event brings — I’m fully aligned with you on that. I also agree that it’s in the organiser’s best interest to take rider feedback seriously if they wish to preserve the event’s long-term appeal and its value to the region.

That said, while there’s clearly a lot of frustration being expressed here, the tendency to respond with anger or a sense of retribution is something I struggle to support. I’m genuinely curious — beyond the discussions on BikeHub, what active steps have been taken by those voicing these concerns to provide constructive feedback? On what basis are we saying the organisers are coming across as tone-deaf?

To be clear, I’m not suggesting that poor organisation should be overlooked simply because the event delivers value. Quite the opposite — we should acknowledge its value while also raising concerns in a manner that fosters improvement, rather than further division.

Maybe those that did participate can confirm whether there was any sort of rider survey? 

Looking at some of the other forums/platforms it does seem like the organisation can do with some refinement. Not sure whether the organisers are actually reading any of this.

[Stephan]

9 minutes ago, Rowl said:

Maybe those that did participate can confirm whether there was any sort of rider survey? 

Looking at some of the other forums/platforms it does seem like the organisation can do with some refinement. Not sure whether the organisers are actually reading any of this.

No survey (yet). I would more than welcome a meeting with the organisers to share my newbie-back-of-the-bunch feedback, or even just complete a survey. I do hope they send one. 

[karma]

3 hours ago, andydude said:

Saw on Beers' instagram!

Zone 2 ride....