have completed 5 , 10 , 15 and , yes , even 20 finishes ( that ’ s 160 stages !) when they arrive in Stellies on 24 March . Get to know why and how the Last Lions – Hannele , John and Mike – have achieved the seemingly impossible on pages 68-72 .
Over the years I have taken photographs at the race , ridden with the ‘ Hyena ’ sweepers and slept next to riders in the tented village . I ’ ve witnessed horrific wipeouts as exhausted riders , chasing partners or cut-off times , lost control on rocky descents . I ’ ve listened to war stories of , errmm , epic proportions from pairs of riders of all shapes and ages from around the globe – in the showers , in the dining tents , near the bikewash . Each had their own heroic tale – enough stores to fill endless books . I ’ ve listened to the laboured breathing of 100kg + rugby players painfully lugging their huge frames on foot up endless
the mountain biking capital of the world . We have ideal weather and more trails around our magnificently varied terrain than any other country in the world , much if it custom-built . You could ride a new trail through different surroundings every day of the year , from game reserves to forests , across desert dunes and along our extensive ( often deserted ) sea shores . So many trails , so little time . We celebrate one trail space in particular – Jonkershoek , which riders will explore on the final stage to the new finish in Stellenbosch . Ace trailbuilders who live to ride , Bennet Nel and Lance Morris , share their passion for this piece of heaven on pages 90-94 .
Why do riders do this race ? Each rider knows their personal why , and it ’ s this truth that either carries them to the finish through massive highs and lows , or ends their journey when the mind and
The inaugural 2004 event , and Mannie Heymans and Ben-Melt
Swanepoel at the 2008 Absa Cape Epic ( left ).
MOUNTAIN
BIKE
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER Paul Ingpen paul @ electricink . co . za 021 438 5972 / 082 990 8408
MANAGING EDITOR Anne Duncan
COMMERCIAL MANAGER Jono le Roux jono @ electricink . co . za 083 324 6576
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Elinore de Lisle
DIGITAL MEDIA Lee-Ann Elliott social @ electricink . co . za
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Newsstand edition : Nick Muzik Event edition : Greg Beadle , Karin Schermbrucker , Sven Martin , Nick Muzik , Ewald Sadie , Dom Barnardt , Sam Clark , Gary Perkin , Sam Clark , Sven Martin . Courtesy Cape Epic / SPORTZPICS
WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO THE ABSA CAPE EPIC TEAM Christo Toua , Ashleigh Coetzer , Jennifer Welzel rocky and dusty climbs – the same climbs the leaders flew up hours earlier , in cooler conditions on what were much firmer surfaces . I ’ ve witnessed riders walking 40km with a seized drivetrain . It ’ s so much harder for these often unsung gladiators , who make it to camp late afternoon with barely enough time to wash bikes , eat , sleep and repeat . It ’ s Herculean stuff . Overuse and crashinflicted injuries worsen as days go by , and saddle sores are so prevalent that the event medics even host a bum-clinic for treatment of these excruciatingly painful reminders of just how hard it is to pedal your bike 2000m in elevation over 100 kilometres , day in and day out . It often takes months for these riders to regain feeling in their hands . Truly the stuff of legends .
Ultimately it ’ s the sport of mountain biking and our country , South Africa , that shine as the scenic canvas and granular context of this global event . Much like France is for road cycling , or Hawaii for surfing , SA is body simply cannot . Listen to the most experienced Epic riders explain how to make it bearable , and even fun , through the hard lessons they have learned along the way . They bear testimony to getting up from hard knocks and mistakes to prove to yourself that you can .
Congratulations to the Absa Cape Epic team on reaching this massive milestone . And good luck to each of you riding this momentous 20th anniversary edition . You ’ ll always know that anything is possible .
paul @ electricink . co . za bikeruntri . co . za
Mountain Bike SA
@ mountainbikesa
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Mountain Bike magazine is published by Electric Ink Media . Copyright : Electric Ink Media . No portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from Electric Ink Media or the authors . The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material . The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Electric Ink Media or the editors . Editorial & advertising enquiries : admin @ electricink . co . za 7 Pitlochry Road , Bakoven , Camps Bay 8005 Printed by Novus Holdings , Paarl Distribution : Mia 083 445 5097