ChrisF Posted March 25 Posted March 25 6 hours ago, DieselnDust said: Insider info, is finding the right mix is difficult but that’s the objective. The desire is to attract both XCM and XCO specialists to grow the elites field, especially the ladies. The 2025 route was heavily XCO focused . The 2026 route I feel was a really good balance and it delivered a riveting mens race. overlay their intent with the very positive feedback on the 2026 route I would hazard a safe bet that they will try for more of the same next year but different locations. Montagu was a favourite although the amateurs complained bitterly about the rough terrain 🤣😂 can’t keep all the people happy as they say… The irony being that there was an event in Montagu a few months back. Most of these trails were used/tested during that event. Friends that did that event a few months back and did CE2026 certainly had no complaints about the terrain .... well nothing other than the traffic caused when a few realised they cant ride loose single track DOWN, and then started walking.... causing an Epic traffic jam. Keyboard comments aside (or then 2nd hand info from my friends that completed this event) ... 1 in 3 did not finish ..... DieselnDust 1
RaymondC Posted March 25 Posted March 25 What a week. From chasing 1-1 and the hustle of the media machine at Epic. Here is a part of the work we did at the event. Check what Tristan says to Matt while packing the bakkie. Chapter 3 should be dropping soon... MBMtbGirl, Robbie Stewart, Spinnaroonie and 6 others 7 2
Robbie Stewart Posted March 25 Posted March 25 I haven't really been watching this year. I caught some of the last days, and watched the final day on YT. All I can say of what I saw is that I have a newfound respect for the people who do this type of riding. I'm not sure I'd make it through maybe stage 2, and then, only just. For Matt and Tristan to pull of what they did coming back from nearly 2 minutes down to winning by almost a minute is absolutely mind blowing. Well done. mazambaan 1
DieselnDust Posted March 25 Posted March 25 I like the strat sessions with Mike. You have the durability, Tristan has the durability, do they have the durability? Ans: "No" Just goes to show, its a lot more tactical than it looks babse, Spinnaroonie, RaymondC and 1 other 3 1
babse Posted March 25 Posted March 25 40 minutes ago, DieselnDust said: I like the strat sessions with Mike. You have the durability, Tristan has the durability, do they have the durability? Ans: "No" Just goes to show, its a lot more tactical than it looks Crazy. Those are the creme of the crop. And they got shown up. Saffas are just built differently!!! WaynejG 1
DieselnDust Posted March 25 Posted March 25 2 hours ago, babse said: Crazy. Those are the creme of the crop. And they got shown up. Saffas are just built differently!!! to be fair they are coming here out of their winter. Bekking stays here through Summer, or rather is here often through the Summer, but Braidot and Avondeto not so much. its about time we made home advantage pay dividends
Dobri Posted March 26 Posted March 26 15 hours ago, babse said: Well done on finishing and solid feedback on race and good to hear there was sufficient water and decent food... Were you in the tent city? Other than the shite weather, any particular reason you wouldn't do it again? No, we did not stay in tent city, I was fortunate that my partner arranged off site accommodation and our wives did the driving and support. Reason why I would not do it again - costs and fun factor. Besides the entry fee there is the flights to get to CT, bike transport, the mechanics support during the race which is a must, all the new bike parts including new tires (I did not have to do this but I made sure that I cannot blame the bike for not finishing - set of new pulleys, hub bearings, BB or new SLX chain is cheap compared to everything else) Fun factor - in Gauteng we do not have similar trails like in WC, the closest is maybe Hennops and Breedtsneck, so it was difficult for me to have fun in Montagu or Greyton as the trails where very demanding, you cannot just let go, you have to concentrate 100% all the time - I can ride technical trails no problems but it is a different skill riding loses rocky trails compared to prepared manicured trails - and that is just my preference - some riders love the unprepared and lose. So I think I will stick to S2C, B&B and W2W in the future. openmind, Zebra, DieselnDust and 5 others 7 1
J Wakefield Posted March 26 Posted March 26 (edited) 12 hours ago, DieselnDust said: to be fair they are coming here out of their winter. Bekking stays here through Summer, or rather is here often through the Summer, but Braidot and Avondeto not so much. its about time we made home advantage pay dividends at that level coming off winter is not an excuse. Same as WT guys racing TDU or UAE in jan/Feb. No difference, you prepare for the job required. Matt came out of SA summer to dead winter coming to race Santa Vall in Feb in Girona. Seemed to do pretty well under the condition changes. Edited March 26 by J Wakefield babse and DieselnDust 1 1
DieselnDust Posted March 26 Posted March 26 <marketing BS incoming> the difference between the top two teams was 0.072% If I were SRAM I would be extolling the 1,8% performance improvement Flight Attendant delivers Willier Vittoria was on XTR / FOX.... I mean come on, who is asleep at the wheel here amac, Zebra and Daniel de V 1 2
Shebeen Posted March 26 Posted March 26 On 3/24/2026 at 1:42 PM, Shebeen said: high traffic for 2027! cost is R900 more than 2026 edition (if i have that correct - this may just be the early bird pricing). sold out, (so enough bucks to settle the open invoices due this month end)! If you want to skip the waitlist/lottery - plenty of options in the classifieds to pay ~R10k for this privilige.
Scalpel Posted March 26 Posted March 26 Also did the Epic this year with my wife! Montagu trails were the best. True mtb riding. No bike park manicured routes, just untamed! BuffsVintageBikes, ChrisF, El Duderino and 3 others 3 3
DieselnDust Posted March 26 Posted March 26 3 hours ago, Shebeen said: sold out, (so enough bucks to settle the open invoices due this month end)! If you want to skip the waitlist/lottery - plenty of options in the classifieds to pay ~R10k for this privilige. Used to be seconds now it’s 3 days demand is still there which is nice to see
ChrisF Posted March 30 Posted March 30 https://www.treadmtb.co.za/absa-cape-epic-adds-ebike-category-from-2027/ Headshot 1
babse Posted March 30 Posted March 30 34 minutes ago, ChrisF said: https://www.treadmtb.co.za/absa-cape-epic-adds-ebike-category-from-2027/ 2 days too early with this announcement? ChrisF, Danger Dassie and DieselnDust 3
DieselnDust Posted March 30 Posted March 30 28 minutes ago, babse said: 2 days too early with this announcement? I hear they will make them ride 140km per day on one battery and they must finish the event on the battery they started MBMtbGirl, Headshot, gerriemtb and 2 others 4 1
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