Road Hog Posted April 3, 2009 Share As we all know events like the Cape Eppic, Sani-2-Sea, and Trans Baviaans took the principle of endurance racing to a higher level, a level of difficulty at which very few of us are prepared to compete and a level we thought (about 10-20 years ago) were impossible. For me, this also posed questions like, how far can we go, where did it all start, when did people became this mad to do these events ?<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Then I found this book (historic) which referred to a cycle race from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, a little bit further than the Cape Epic. What amazed me about this event was that members of the Port Elizabeth Cycling Club took part in it and it happened in 1885, a full 124 years ago !! Even more amazing is that they used Penny Farthings (the original and proper version), which was the most popular bicycle at that time, to do the trip. The distance was 700 miles of which 150 miles had to be walked . I can only imagine that the walking was due to steep inclines on the route where the Penny?s could not be ridden up or down (and most likely due to a lack of proper brakes !!). Another amazing thing was that there was no highway and the old road between George ? Knysna ? Humansdorp were only completed in 1886 !! Adding to this, there were many wild animals around at that time, even lion, not to mention the wars with Zulu and Xhosa at that time !! One can?t even outsprint a lion on a modern day bicycle let alone a Penny Farthing !! This journey was done without any back-up (motor cars weren?t invented yet !!) and modern day medical assistance. Propably the reason why the President of the first ?Kaapstadse Fietskorps? and author of a song called ?Bicycle Galop?, George Silver Darter, was hurt on one of these events and had to give up his ?velocipede' as these bikes were referred to. Imagine what can happen falling from a Penny Farthing at 20km/h. This journey was undertaken without the luxury of pneumatic tyres (solid rubber was used ? at least no punctures), no gears, no full suspension, no water tables on the route, and without GU or VOOMA to boost the energy levels. Upon arrival in Cape Town these braves where met 7 miles out of town by members of the ?Kaapstadse Fietskorps? who then escorted them into the city. The illustration show these early cyclists and pioneers arriving in Cape Town (check out the head gear !!). Unfortunately no information is available as to how many riders took part and what time it took them to complete the trip. This answered my questions and made me realize that the human race are suckers for punishment and that enduro racing are no new concept nor was it invented by modern man. We are merely following these early cycling pioneers. Hats (or is it helmets) off to these cycling pioneers !!!<?: prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" />Illustration by: Heinrich Egersdorfer (1853-1915) <?: prefix = w ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirt*girl™ Posted April 3, 2009 Share What a great read Road Hog! Pity it?s not running anymore?<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> With all your knowledge of the historic cycling world ..could you tell us what the oldest (still running) MTB race in SA is? I also think it would be very interesting to know what the first MTB stage race in SA was?with all he hype of stage racing taking over...where did it begin, why did it only became popular in the last 5 years? Dirt*girl2009-04-03 06:07:47 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuctionLamb Posted April 3, 2009 Share I wonder what the entry fee was? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEEL Niner Posted April 3, 2009 Share Awesome post, makes you think how "hardcore" we really think we are when finishing a modern day event.......... Ive always maintained that you will be amazed at how hard you can push the human body, mind permitting of course!!! 24 hour solo races go a long way to peering into this window however. But after this post, even that seems ordinary!?!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Hog Posted April 3, 2009 Share I'm not a historian, but as far as I know the PE cycling club is also the oldest cycling club in SA, so it probably makes this race the oldest race (not MTB) in SA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirt*girl™ Posted April 3, 2009 Share I'm not a historian' date=' but as far as I know the PE cycling club is also the oldest cycling club in SA, so it probably makes this race the oldest race (not MTB) in SA. [/quote'] Ok thanks anyway?it was worth asking. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borriz Posted April 3, 2009 Share look they wore tights! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassie Posted April 5, 2009 Share Truely mind boggling!!Jeep track all the way to Cape town....no suspension (not even in the tyres). We should re-create this Epic ride from PE to Cape town.... I think the couple of uni cycles that I'm seeing at local MTB races almost fall into this category....men of steel - REAL men!!Wonder what they smoked in tose days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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