STAGE 7
START University of
Stellenbosch Sports
Fields, Stellenbosch
FINISH Val de Vie Estate,
Paarl
70
KM 1800 M
DISTANCE
CLIMBING
RATING
THE ROUTE
GRAND FINALE
The idea behind Val de Vie was sparked 30 years ago when Martin Venter dreamt
of a place in the Cape Winelands that his family could call home. For many years
he searched for the ideal location and in 2001 he found it while flying over the Paarl
Valley. Alongside the Berg River lay a wine farm dating back to 1783: this would be the
“Valley of Life” that he had been dreaming of. Martin then took on the challenge of
transforming the sand mine that was then in operation into a lush paradise. Today the
land is a flourishing estate and Martin’s dream has been realised. In 2019 the Absa Cape
Epic will finish at Val de Vie for the third time.
The final stage of the 2019 Absa Cape Epic still provides opportunities for general
classification shake-ups. From Stellenbosch to Jonkershoek the asphalt road surface
provides a deceptive lull, but do not be fooled; once in the reserve the typical Absa
Cape Epic terrain resumes with vengeance. A dual track climb thins the field for
Bosluis. Then it is across the valley to climb Never Ending Story. The best of Jonkers
is showcased by Bennet’s Red and the Land Rover Technical Terrain: Armageddon.
From the valley floor the only way is up, on Fiona’s Beast, beyond a fairy tale castle
to Botmaskop and through the culvert to the slopes of the Simonsberg. Vuurberg’s
dirt jumps, which the route weaves between, lead to Boschendal’s Inferno and Sugar
Bowl trails. One final climb and a brand new section of singletrack ensures riders will
enter Val de Vie Estate, the Champs-Élysées of the Absa Cape Epic, with a smile,
but in need of those last few – mercifully flat – kilometres to gain their composure.
Emotions are still sure to spill over as riders roll across the finish line – as a 2019
Absa Cape Epic finisher.
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