ED’ S LETTER
THIS ONE’ S FOR YOU
A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS ON A farm near Riversdale, enjoying the gentle breeze that carried with it the subtle sounds of nature that we mountain bikers appreciate so much. I was sharing a cottage with Dutch rider Hans Becking, a multiple stage winner at the Absa Cape Epic. We were revelling in the pure bliss of tired legs, full bellies and another day of riding in the unspoiled wide open spaces that South Africa has to offer.
Now in his 40s, Hans is considering closing his chapter of full-gas pro racing to focus more on his training camps, but it’ s clear that he has lost none of his stoke for riding.
At 58, I can totally relate to this ongoing love of our sport. It’ s been 40 years since I rode from university in Grahamstown to the beach in Port Alfred on farm roads and bushwhacked animal paths on my rigid Bridgestone MB3 – and still the stoke burns as bright every time I head onto the trails. There I have a grounded focus that lets my soul and sense of self thrive. Positive thoughts flow, making me a better dad, colleague or ride mate than before the ride began. This is my happy place. Fortunately the desire to prove myself to others passed by fairly early in life, after suffering through vasbyt in the army then a series of three-to-five-day adventure races, Comrades, Ironman and more. I now do it for me – time on the trails is my time-out reward for hard work, and a desire to stay optimally fit to extend my years exploring this beautiful planet.
My shared passion with Hans, despite us being on opposite ends of the competitive landscape, shows that real motivation comes from within. Mountain biking is an adventure and we are spoilt with trails to play on here in SA. Unlike many other bike rides or races, designed primarily for adventure or pleasure, the Cape Epic pits man against his surroundings, rivals, and ultimately, himself. Much like our primal existence
14 | MTB | the untamed african mtb race
“ SOMETHING ABOUT FACING WHAT IS SIMULTANEOUSLY THREATENING AND BEAUTIFUL PROVIDES A NERVOUS EXCITEMENT THAT STIMULATES OUR DEEP, DORMANT CELLS”
thousands of years ago, survival of the fittest requires that you venture into the unknown to explore the depths of your hidden self, to beat just one more rider or finish one more stage. Those who haven’ t done it think it’ s insane; those who have tend to save every buck and day of leave to go back. Something about facing what is simultaneously threatening and beautiful provides a nervous excitement that stimulates our deep, dormant cells.
This year, a new category of riders is being celebrated for 15 or more finishes. Respect to the Amabubesi XV! If you’ re new to the race, you’ re no doubt feeling a sense of trepidation about what’ s to come, so I strongly suggest you turn to page 42 and slowly digest their sage advice. Coach Alex Kruger from
GrannyGear Academy is another of this special pride, and he’ s gone even deeper with a stage-by-stage analysis of the 2026 route( p72). Combined with insights from route director Hendrico Burger and SA pro Sarah Maré, our route feature is a veritable cheat sheet to make the 2026 race one to remember for all the right reasons.
If you’ re lining up at Meerendal on 15 March, you will hopefully know your why – the reason that you signed up and sacrificed so much to be here. As you stand on the start chute, with the clock ticking down over your head, this reason will carry you through the happiest highs and dreadful lows as the week unfolds.
True contentment lies in moments where our senses are fully engaged and we recognise the privilege of our physical health and financial independence. In a world where we’ re conditioned to chase security and taught how we should feel, react and behave, we need to carve our own path. Life is simply too short to chase other people’ s expectations. How many of us live our entire lives without feeling deeply connected to our raw spirit, something we all know we felt very early in our lives when we headed out into the wilderness for the first time on our bikes with the wind in our hair and the journey unknown?
Injury and sickness are reminders to value what you have, so don’ t lose a day doing what you don’ t love. Whether it’ s sweet suffering in pursuit of a podium, a top 100 or just soaking up our incredible natural environment, find your holy grail. This is why you ride! Take time to chat with some of the 1 400 riders listed on p136. No matter where in the world you hail from, you share so much in common. You’ re ultimately all teammates out there on these Untamed trails under the African sun. Cheers to that!
paul @ electricink. co. za BikeRunTri. co. za Mountain Bike SA @ mountainbikesa
PHOTOGRAPH JOHN HISHIN / CAPE TOWN SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY