The ABSA Cape Epic is a UCI multi day MTB stage race competed by teams of 2, widely regarded as “ The Tour De France “of Mountain biking. It has the fearsome reputation of being hard enough to finish let alone win, a combination of harsh environment; tough trails and endless climbing coupled with long days in the saddle make it a “ bucket list “ race for any MTB rider.

I had raced the Cape Epic in 2011, returned home with a damaged heart, recovered and then teamed up with SPR rider Peter Gill to ride again in 2012.Our training rides started in December after Pete had finished getting over Ironman WA. Long endurance rides, tempo days, lactate intervals, recovery rides etc etc. Having experienced the blistering African sun in 2011 we spent the summer heat wave on our bikes, waiting for 38- 40 degrees bidon/water bladders full, we rode Camel Farm- John Forrest- Mundaring Weir- Kalamunda loops day after day for conditioning.

The Race – Pro and amateur riders from across the world spend 8 punishing days riding a completely new route each year, designed by Leon Evans (aka Dr Evil). The 2012 course consisted of 781km and 16300m climbing

Rider Briefing – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLCWeiWES-s

QUOTES : Leon Evans aka Dr.Evil (route designer for the ABSA Cape Epic) “There are no easy days in this race. Registration day is easy and the Monday after the race is easy. Anyone who thinks there’s anything easy about the Absa Cape Epic is a fool. My job is to make sure that no rider, in any previous edition of the race, can say, ‘The 2012 Epic riders had it easy’ ”

Prologue. 27km 900m climbing.Mirrendal wine estate Durbanville took in spectacular views back across Cape Town to Table Mountain. Teams set off at 30-second intervals. The highest point of the day was telecom tower hill a punching climb up baby head rocks.

Highlight of the day, spectators willing us up the steep but rideable “stairway to heaven” for a hill top finish.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AijTCxFz2AI

Day 1. 115km 2350m climbing. The sobering reality of a hard week, within 10km of the start, pro’s and WC were walking/ stomping up unrideable trail in 40-degree heat. I drank 14L while riding the stage and avoided a drip some of the other teams needed due to dehydration.The day started and finished way too fast, inexperienced teams were going to pay later in the week for anaerobic riding. Peter and I rode at our own pace, not chasing bunches finishing the day mid pack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MGPK4GbRcA

That night started 8 days of hour-long massages, given by lovely young ladies from Stellenbosch University Health Science Department. I was a novelty for them, having never treated a handsome tribal tattooed “All Blacks “ supporter.  Tough life for a MTB stage racer!

Stage 2- 119km 1650m A lone bagpipe player awaken the tent city each day of the epic at 5 am.We race to find a short porta-loo queue, head to the 1200 seat dining tent , we eat/hydrate……….wait……….eat/hydrate again.Take a bidon/can of juice and pre hydrate some more. Dress.Head over to the secure bike park to get our bikes, check the overnight service from the mechanic. Ride to our start chute, sign in. 10 min warning.Move up. 2 min warning.Groove along the race announcer/DJ beats that blasted from 6am.30 second warning…..Race.

A routine that would repeat itself each day.Stage 2 had rolling open district roads and pinch hills; we let the packs roll past us finding our own rhythm.Typically as the day progressed we first pass the teams with mechanical problems. Then we pass the teams that for whatever reason need to stop to sort out nutrition. We then passed the teams hitting the wall due to bad pacing or just plain worn out.

On the climbs we held cadence and heart rate even, letting teams pass us, then on the downhill Pete opened up the throttle and bombed past riders 10 at a time. We always rode safe and called our intention, but they still got the surprise of their lives as he hit water bar jumps getting solid air on each one.

Highlight of the day – getting back into the groove of multi day racing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILM_djhVfQk

Stage 3- 147km 2900 m climbing. The longest stage in Cape Epic history rolled off with a mass start at 7am sharp, riders jockeyed for position along 18km of tar before we turned onto winery road and then the inevitable jeep track and loose climbing.

We enjoyed the terrain and vista’s from each high point along our route. The kilometer’s ticked over steadily, riding conservatively, protecting our legs for the days ahead. I had a 45 minute alarm set on the Garmin:1 bidon, one serve of food. If there was more climbing we increased our food uptake, taking care to snack steadily hour by hour. Real food at the water points was the key to avoiding the dreaded “ goo guts ”. Savory muffins, salted rice cakes, salted mini boiled potatoes, banana in skin cut into bites sized chunks, jelly beans, pretzels and carrot cake were some of the delights offered up.Hydration came in the form of chilled single source water, trucked in from Cape Town daily. Coke, Energade ( SA Gatorade), and fifty fifty coke/water  in 20L drums was served up by enthusiastic and super supportive volunteers.

The day seemed to drag on from 100km to 130km, spinning then climbing, chatting to other teams along the way. We felt strong and then inevitably low, the long day went on and on. Suddenly the 5 km marker appeared in burnt out terrain, our tired bodies gave a little kick and we rode into our new home, Caledon.  We had spent 9 hours in the saddle, finishing a little leg tired but happy the biggest day was out of the way. (or so we thought ! ) My back held up not having to deal with the rocky descents of day 2. Happy Days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCj1he32TuA You can see Wembley Cycles @ 17 seconds into the clip getting a well earned water spray !

Stage 4- 105km 2600m climbing. Rolling out of Caledon we headed north west. The day consisted of 2 major climbs. Tar road leading to district road and then steeply into 30% buggy track, we walked ! And rode and walked again.

Our first high point had spectacular views out to a dam north and wheat coloured rolling hills south. We raced along on fast irrigation canal trail into the water point. 

One large mountain of steady climbing lead to a very fast single track descent, half way down Peter doing 40km/h bombed past Alain Prost ( F1 car driver). Alain’s eyes like dinner plates, Pete grinning from ear to ear having to stop and wait for me every couple of km’s.

Compressed disc’s in my back made it tough going, I ended up with pins and needles down my arm and no grip strength in my left hand. Peter was great, asking if we needed to slow down. The only thing I could do was “keep riding”, slowing down was more time on the bike and more inflammation.

The pro riders finished the course in 4 hrs 40, for us further down rankings a wind storm had whipped up to 60km/h by water point 3. It turned into a slow grind on district road, our old friend Alain joined us, drafting our wheel until we dropped him through rolling hills.

Peter and I were blown off our bikes more than once,  giggling we watched Kiwi rider Megan D (a petite 49kg) almost thrown into a fence.Single track through the botanical garden and a giant bermed corner finished our day. I was a broken man in the recovery tent. A shower, dinner, long massage and emotional phone call to my wife got me back from the edge. If I could pedal, I would be finishing the race!

Highlight of the day – Spectacular scenery, Dr Evil always designs a route that takes you to unique and remote locations.

Lowlight – Riding with great leg strength but my spine had finally given out.

Stage 5- 119km 2350m climbing “Frozen Hell in the Peleton”.  It rained HEAVILY overnight, we ran like drowned rats to breakfast, dressed wet in our tents and shivered in our start gate, waiting to get riding.

The district roads were mud puddles, no bunches to chase because each team was fighting its own battle to stay together. We witnessed a strange phenomenon with the some of the riders stopping at dams to fully dunk their bikes, cleaning and removing mud from drive train, only to have it just as dirty 20m down the road (weird, so much time lost for little gain). Sandy fynbos single track turned into pine forest as we steadily climbed into the mountains.

The weather grew steadily worse and then high in the mountains it started to hail. It was by far the worst weather we had ever ridden a bike in, Period !  Teams, trying to save grams had started the day in bibs and jersey only, riders shaking uncontrollably then still and pale as ghost the start of hypothermia set. We rode past a female European team slow pedaling and sobbing as sheets of rain pelted down.

Water point and 2 soaked to the bone, (even in wet weather jackets and warmers) many teams sought refuge in the food tents fearing they would not make it to the next water point. Peter and I had a serious discussion, we elected to eat as much as our bodies could handle and then ride at a higher heart rate to combat hypothermia. Pete (with 5% body fat) couldn’t feel his hands to brake effectively/at all, we were in ok shape but needed to ride carefully descending. The other issue of no brake pads was of little concern!

Oak Valley was considerably warmer, the world renowned single track was wasted on us, we chopped up the trail quite badly in the mud and sludge. Finishing in 8hrs 50 time I’ve never been as proud of Pete; our ride was held together with stubborn determination and daring, willing to make a big judgment call in terrible weather hoping it would pay off.

Stage 5 defined 2012 Cape Epic, over 50% of the riders were still on the course with only 2 hours to cutoff. Stopping too long at water point 2 was a race ending decision for many teams. Hypothermia set in and ambulances to hospital overflowed.

It managed to get a tweet from “ The Boss “: Lance Armstrong ‏ @lancearmstrong  “Been following the @absacapeepic. Looks, well, uh, pretty epic. I have to do this one day”.

Stage 6- 85km 2200m climbing.The surviving riders of 2012 were given a 30 min reprieve by the race director and a mass start at 730am in lieu of 4 distinct chutes. It was a subdued peleton that rolled out of Oak Valley Wine Estate into Grabouw and then into open fire trail on the valley wall. Three minor climbs featured on the route, broken up by The Groenlandberg. The mountain rose sharply after water point 1 a steady 13km of small ring leg burn. The view riding up was striking, looking up to the false summit we had been warned against and then back across the valley floor down to water point 1.

 

 

 

 

A momentary lapse of concentration had a large rock roll over into my rear derailleur, quickly off the bike I found it pushed into the spokes. Oh S*#T ! I managed to bend it back by hand and get gears 4-10, no granny gear for the rest of the day!

Turning South East and descending we passed multiple teams on the rocky trail, Peter taking the lead threading and weaving down the single track. Peter on cloud nine after 5km of downhill madness guided us into water point  2. We were back in Oak Valley with 20 km of pine forest and single track heaven, after a quick talk we elected to enjoy the rest of the afternoon cruising and passing riders through the forest. At one point knowing there was some awesome trail with banks and berms I took a cross country detour around slower riders to get onto Pete’s wheel. We flew down way too fast, Pete laughing at my antics.

We were a happy and tired team finishing day 6, the local Rugby grudge match of BULLs vs STORMERs played that night and with a late 830am start for Sunday the beer tent overflowed with locals. We, on the other hand enjoyed another hour long massage and early bed.

 

 

Stage7- 64km 1350 m climbing.The morning of day 7 began with the usual 5am Scottish bagpipes wake up call, warm in my sleeping bag willing my spine to give 1 more day in the saddle. Pete and I set a lazy stroll to breakfast and then packed our race bags for a final time. The tent city was full of light laughter and quiet optimism we were “almost done”.

1350m of in 3 major and 1 minor climb, our last day was no easy doddle, spinning uphill and bombing down. The mechanic hadn’t really fixed the rear derailleur so I spent my time grinding in 3^rd gear and ghost shifting while following Pete. Just after water point 1 on a steep descent a rider front somersaulted on a jump, landing heavily, his race was over. Spectators went to his aid and we rode on, wary of the same fate. Later within sight of the finish a broken collarbone ended another teams Cape Epic!

We rode into wine farm track with the mountains behind us, steep pinch climbing turned into rolling hills and then flat track. The 5km marker started a fun section of single track with tree lined switchback turns and log bridges. We could hear the finish line announcer through the trees and a sharp left brought us onto the spectator lined finish chute.

 

Holding a Papua New Guinea flag I crossed the line, my good mate Pete right beside me. We hugged and took in the scene around us, medal presentation dais, concert stage, beer tents, merchandise tents. It was like a being at a music festival. The race winners Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser gave us our finisher medals. (In essence, like Cadel giving you a medal and saying thanks for riding, you made it!). We grabbed our picnic hampers, bought some beer and spent the afternoon lying in the sun reminiscing on our week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkfa_6-_WP4

Of the 600 Teams that started only 481 finished. The 2012 Cape Epic has been touted as the hardest race ever, a combination of long stages, extreme climbing and compulsory portage. The weather added to the pain. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_d2NoaZ6y0

 

I have been home a couple of weeks now and in comparison to 2011 I’m much healthier. Peter and I rode with better pacing so I have avoided  stress on my heart that affected me for over 6 months in 2011. We have our friendship intact, unlike some teams that fell apart when long days and short tempers took their toll. In fairness to my family I have elected not to race in 2013, months of base and race training take its toll on our young family.

2013 is the 10^th anniversary of the Cape Epic and I am one race away from becoming “Amabubesi” or “pack of lions” in Zulu. The organizers believe that if you are crazy enough to finish 3 Cape Epic’s, then you get automatic entry. These 2 factors may force my hand and in few months time I will be begging my wife for a leave pass to train and race. It is a cliché but Cape Epic does get under your skin.

The worldwide lottery for entry closes on 30^th May. See you on the start line!

Photo’s of Nigel – http://www.flickr.com/photos/yeti_101/sets/72157629420137536/

GO PRO – 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhBkgCglhAo 2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOR5j5e_FXg 3- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_iJrkF9vuc 4- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJlF9BjwvsI 5- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nEkGzjoezc 6- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CynLTKinQMc 7- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdqVAJEKPLA

RIDER THOUGHTS – 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enog75XRd6c&list=PL32839C17D11DF2C1&index=6&feature=plpp_video

2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSFWxFoAQrU&list=PL32839C17D11DF2C1&index=9&feature=plpp_video

3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CjXm4s9kMw&list=PL32839C17D11DF2C1&index=12&feature=plpp_video

4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_fJYzjKq6Q

5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AowGLd8Jd1I

6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q5dtw7LbpU

BEHIND THE SCENES http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6B25A4C6003DC59F&feature=plcp

Race Photos Courtesy of: Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS