You are hereForums / By Discipline / Mountain (off road) / MTB Events / Absa Cape Epic

Absa Cape Epic

By jp - Posted on 02 March 2013

If you're looking for some inspiration check out the Absa Cape Epic YouTube channel. 20+ minute highlights packages from every 2012 stage, and a great tribute to Burry Stander.

2013 edition starts in 2 weeks with big prize money and a very strong pro contingent. Should be awesome.

Anyone done this race?

Login to post comments
Bookmark & share

Tags

MTB Events

I've got quit a few Mates who've done it.

Submitted by GAZZA on Sun, 03/03/2013 - 17:42.

It's meant to be pretty brutal. More of a road race on dirt with not too much tecnical stuff but long hard days with lots of climbing.
My Mates are pretty fit and do well in their age groups and categories in road and mtb but they were nowhere near the front of their groups in the Epic.

Fitness

Submitted by jp on Sun, 03/03/2013 - 17:46.

Yeah, the guys at the front are super fit. I know there are a few Aussies going this year.

I've done it. Was

Submitted by Antsonline on Sun, 03/03/2013 - 19:00.

I've done it.
Was ridiculously hot and hard.
Mike Blewitt and the MarathonMTB boys often are there, as is Naomi Hansen - she's done about 4 I think.
One of the best things I have ever done, and would love to go back.

There is another race.....

Submitted by Chitts on Mon, 04/03/2013 - 10:34.

....called Joberg2C which goes from Johannesburg down to Scottburgh (near Durban). It is a 9 day event and is apparently much more fun/beautiful/singletrack etc. Minter (Warthog) and I are doing it this year on the 26th April. Minter did the Cape Epic 2 years ago, but reading all the posts on South African websites the common theme was "you do the Cape Epic to say you have done the Cape Epic, but you do Joberg2C because you love mountain biking"

We will report back in May, but it should be interesting as it is my first stage race and after 900km and 9 days, it may well be my last

Some Comments on Joberg 2 C vs the Cape Epic:

Do the Epic if its important to tell people that you did the Epic.
J2C if you want a sense of journey, ride a balanced route, get the benefit of a smaller field and want to be able to socialize with other riders afterwards.

Team 360Life was asked which they enjoyed more. They said day 4 of the Joberg2C was the best day they have ever had on a bike. That says something...

Joberg2c. Seriously a must do if the enjoyment of the ride and route is important to you. The vibe, food, etc, etc is a bonus.

I think......you can not compare the 2.....EPIC is EPIC and the Joberg2C is a JOURNEY, a ride that you will never forget!! In Joberg2C it's about the race villages, the tracks, the comraderie, the awesome communities, their waterpoints, the food, the free Seattle Coffee, the Karan Beef steaks, the AWESOME organisation!! It's a JOURNEY from Heidelberg to Scottburgh! As they say at the Joberg2C.....the route is KING!!!

According to my coach, and good friend, who has done 5 Epics and 2 J2C......there is no way the Epic comes close.
J2C for me next year!

No ,it's easy.
Epic = Bragging status.
J2C if you love your bike and the sport of mountainbiking.

Amoryn, I know you like bragging status but in all honesty from all the people who I know who have done both, you will regret not doing Jo'burg 2C.

I have done both (Epic 2012 and all 3 J2C). I will not be going back to Epic anytime soon. It was nice to tick it off though. We were "A" batch all the way and are both good on technical climbs. Despite this, we carried our bikes just about every day. It was frustrating beyond words. The financial investment is ridiculous as well. JoBerg2c just gets better and better year after year. The route is sublime just about every day. The big difference though, is in the people. The people you meet on the route, in the camp and of course the fantastically friendly organisers.
If you are a serious race-snake and want to test yourself against the best in the world, enter Epic without hesitation. If you are someone who just loves being on your bike and seeing this beautiful country of ours (fast or slow) then entering joBerg2c will be the best decision you ever make.

Here are some promo clips.

http://youtu.be/y3BK9HgER_Q

http://youtu.be/LGo6cEKZIyE

http://youtu.be/377lhbM0gXk