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have done every Cape Epic since the race was launched in 2004 . So what makes it such a special race that I come back year after year ? I ’ ve thought about this question for , I guess about 19 years , and believe me , I have done a few other races to compare it with . I ’ ve raced XCO World Cups and World Champs , I ’ ve done the Freedom Challenge RASA , The Munga and Desert Dash . In short , I ’ ve raced all over the world .
There is just something about the Absa Cape Epic that leaves you with a feeling of unfinished business . You always want to come back to improve your performance , to rectify your mistakes and to try just to conquer it so that you feel like the winner and not the race .
A journey of growth
For me it has been quite a journey . In 2004 we knew nothing about multi-day MTB stage races , how to train for them or how to eat for them . But I have always loved challenges , and always find myself jumping into the deep end without even looking to see the depth of the water first .
When Kevin Vermaak approached me , at an Argus Cycle Tour expo I think , to hear if I ’ d be interested in a race such as the Epic , I obviously said yes . He then asked if I could help him with connections to my sponsors , as he ’ d just come back from the La Ruta race in South America and that had sparked his enthusiasm do develop something similar in SA . He literally had the clothes on his body and a small backpack at the time … and so it started . But that is a great story for another time .
My Epic journey has been one of growth : both as a human being and as a mountain biker . It ’ s taught me patience , more kindness , selflessness , compassion , joy , mental strength , how to deal with ongoing pain and how to be honest with myself . When I did my first few , it was all about racing and winning and not caring about anything or anyone else . But the routes , the disappointments you see and experience , the team work – it makes you grow up in a lot of ways . I have experienced so much joy , pain and disappointment at this race , but it ’ s all contributed to becoming a better me .
As a rider , the race always challenges you in every way : the different routes , the endurance and technical skills needed , the weather conditions , the falls . It ’ s about survival and vasbyt .
To me , my riding is my freedom , my meditation , acceptance , my realisation of health , blessings and my faith .
Believe it or not , I am actually a very shy person , but my sport and the Cape Epic has taught me so much about human interaction and compassion . I used to be so selfish , impatient , incredibly
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focused and fanatical about winning . To become a winner of this race or any other , you need a little of all of that , but you can change the way you apply it – and the Epic teaches you that because of the multiple days with which you have to deal with ups and downs , and the brutality of the weather and the routes .
The quest for more
So why do I keep coming back ? Well , firstly , I LOVE the race and I love to ride my mountain bike .
I am grateful for my win ( in 2005 ), for the All African Trophy which was named after me , for being the last woman standing – but there is only one place for the Last Lion , and I want that .
As part of the amazing Absa # SheUntamed initiative , I also get a real opportunity to give back . I am so proud to race as part of that team .
My preparation for the next Epic begins two
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You have to have the passion , then a plan and then you need to follow that plan consistently . It is not only about riding your bike ; it is about your life as an individual , your equipment , your nutrition , your training , your health , your visualisation |