Photo Gallery: 2008 ABSA Cape Epic

The Cape provinces of South Africa are riddled with rows of mountains running parallel to the South coast. On the seaward side, temperatures are wonderful, and the sea breeze blows with a hint of salt. Inland, temperatures skyrocket into the mid forties of the Celsius range, the lush vegetation is gone, replaced by scrub and thorns.

Like the land itself, the ABSA Cape Epic has a dual nature. Punishing climbs that never really seem to disappear in the kind of heat that puts people on saline drips pulverise riders for distances of close to 150 kilometres. Just as any remaining hopes might be dashed, the final mountain pass reveals a host town, or vineyard where riders have few precious hours to rest before waking to do it all again.

Faced with such hurdles, the question of why someone might want to do this floats to the surface. While each rider no doubt has their own motivations, being part of a world-class event has to play a key role. After just five years, the Epic is attracting a who’s who of mountain bike racing. Teams travel from around the world to contest the event, and prove their capacity as riders. The event is also open to amateurs, and this year’s race saw 600 pairs leave the finish line on the first day. With trying trails ahead, not all would be able to finish.

Adversity and attrition are not selective though, as even top teams discovered. The Cannondale Vredistein pairing of Roel Paulissen and Jakob Fuglsang lost time on the stage into Bredasdorp after losing a tire and being forced to ride approximately 16 kilometers on a bare rear rim. Christoph Sauser, a Swiss powerhouse rider dropped out after pushing so hard his partner simply could not continue. Alison Sydor and Pia Sundstedt riding for Rocky Mountain took a commanding lead in the women’s class, but still faced troubles of their own, crashing at the finish of the final stage while holding hands in celebration. For many riders, the race became a matter solely of survival.

Many teams were on hand to promote charities and raise funding and awareness. Tom Ritchey rode with partner Thomas Frischknecht as part of a larger team to represent Project Rwanda, an organization founded by Ritchey and dedicated to using the bicycle as a tool and symbol of hope. All through camp each night, it became more and more apparent the hope that a bicycle can bring—the hope that an amateur can finish the same event as the professional riders they may idolize; hope that the bikes, the riders and crew may all hold together to get everyone to the finish; and the hope that next year, teams can improve on their performance.

That is the kind of inspiration and experience that the Cape Epic provides. The momentum and spirit of accomplishment through the event acts as an enabler for some, encouraging, drawing them back for another year. At the final banquet, I spoke with one rider, from South Africa about his experience. He said “the Epic is just that, and that’s why I’ve ridden every year since it started!”

For more information on the Cape Epic, and to enter the lottery for a slot in 2009, visit www.cape-epic.com