ABSA Cape Epic

The Cape Epic doesn't need much introduction apart from those who may not know that it is the highest profile mountain biking stage race in the world, hence being referred to as the "Tour de France" of mountain biking. For every mountain biker it is a must do similar to what the Argus Cycle Tour is to road riding. However, the Cape Epic is a much more costly affair and therefore in most cases not possible for many people to participate in. I on the other hand are one of those fortunate ones to have the backing of some amazing sponsors, Blend Property, Gu South Africa and Omnico who made it possible for me to race the ultimate race I've been longing to do since my first one back in 2006.

Basic stage stats: (dist./climbing/time/stage position/GC position)
Prologue: 27km, 873m, 1h22m, 18th, 18th
Stage 1: 113km, 2212m, 4h56m, 19th, 18th
Stage 2: 121km, 1634m, 4h28m, 17th, 17th
Stage 3: 140km, 2647m, 5h56m, 14th, 15th
Stage 4: 101km, 2507m, 5h08m, 14th, 13th
Stage 5: 115km, 1853m, 6h12m, 25th, 16th
Stage 6: 82km, 2165m, 4h43m, 39th, 16th
Stage 7: 62km, 1310m, 3h01m, 22nd, 18th
Total: 761km, 15201m, 35h46m, 18th
(full results)

The prologue on day 1 got of to a good start with my partner Charles Keey being in his element from being a forma multiple TT champion on the road... we set off at a rapid pace! The highlight, which definitely ranks as one of the top throughout the 8 days (although it was lung busting intensity) was riding up the switch-back climb of the hill top finish through the enormous crowd of spectators! Makes you aware of how big this race really is! After peeing in a cup for doping control we were on our way to Robertson for the start of stage-1 the following morning in 18th place on GC (General Classification).

Stage 1 was a real good introduction to what lay ahead over the next few days! Everyone has fresh and excited legs that are raring to race! There was plenty of hike-a-bike sections that were so steep it was difficult to even walk up them let along drag your bike up too. After what seemed to be a very long day and three punctures later we were finished stage-1 remaining in 18th position on GC, which we intended on hopefully improving as the days went on.

Stage 2 involved some true Klein Karoo rocky jeep track riding amongst the dry bossies as well as some visits through the vineyards of the local wine farms. The competition in this race is phenomenal with all best local South African athletes as well as a very strong international contingent of athletes thrown into the field to mix things up! We managed to take one step up on GC after the stage to be in 17th overall before the queen stage the following day.

Stage 3 was the longest in Cape Epic history covering over 140km from Robertson to Caledon. We did well to remain amongst the main bunch for most of the way. The dry heat experienced throughout the long stage made some of the river crossings very refreshing as they were too deep to ride through. After another consistent ride we had moved up to 15th on GC overall.

After a long hot day 4 the approaching storm was starting to bear its teeth as we headed out for a loop around the Caledon farm lands. With some very nice steep climbs and descents we were having a very solid day. However, after doing well to get up the last major climb and down the treacherous descent safely holding a good position we unfortunately lost some time from missing a marker before water point 2. It didn't end there as a little later on while riding with another two teams grinding our way back into a monster of a North Westerly head wind towards Caledon through the endless rolling farm hills we missed yet another turn. The wind seemed to be playing a bit of havoc with the markers... This resulted in us doing some extra riding up a sizable hill and losing some more precious time! After keeping the moral up, which wasn’t easy in those windy conditions and having gone wrong twice we climbed another two spots on GC to now be lying 13th overall! Things were looking up... until day 6 where there is no other way to describe it other than when the sh*%t-hit-the-fan...

The traditional Cape winter cold front was upon us as we made our way from Caledon up and into the mountains of the Houwhoek, Elgin, Grabouw region to finish on the flowing single tracks of Oak Valley. With about 40km left still to the end of the stage while up in the mountains the rain came down in bucket loads. With no extra warm or protected clothing and a sub 5% body fat content hypothermia began to set in! I’ve been cold plenty of times before and in my mind this simply seemed to be one of those occasions, however, my body reacted in a way I’ve never experienced before! I lost all orientation making it very difficult to ride the single tracks of Oak Valley in the last 10km of the stage. I kept riding off the path and struggled to stay on two wheels. The last incident was within 500m from the finish where I fell down into a little river and was stuck up-side-down in the water with my bike on top of me and all I remember hearing was Charles shouting “HURRY-UP-DAVE!!!” After crossing the finish line things were rather blurry and I can’t remember too much. The medic that took control of me was fantastic and such an awesome guy, I wish I could have remembered his name... After about 2hrs of finishing, a hot shower and coffee and being wrapped in blankets sitting millimeters from a heater my body temperature was still only 34 degrees! It would have been interesting to know what it was when I had just finished! Eventually after some more cups of hot chocolate my temperature was back up to 36 and I was discharged from the medical tent ready to fight another day...

Unfortunately the fighting that was to take place the following day (day-7) was not a matter of competition and gaining time or positions, it was a matter of survival and trying to limit the damages as much as possible! My body had nothing in it (literally due to the post effects of hypothermia) and I struggled to simply turn the pedals! This made it a real fight to make it through the stage and was one of the worst and longest days on the bike for me (also for Charles who could do nothing but just ride frustratingly slowly while I slogged away).

The previous two days happenings had caused us to drop further down on the overall GC from 13th after day-5 to 16th after day-7 and with my recovery still on the back foot the final day was looming. Yet another battle began as we left Oak Valley under perfect conditions en-route to Lourensford. I felt better than the previous day, however, still nowhere near being fully recovered from the knock my body took and thus still struggled. I gave it everything I possible could while Charles pushed and pulled me where ever he could and we managed to finish the stage in 22nd place and limit our losses as much as possible once again, however, unfortunately dropping another 2 places on GC to finish the 8 days in 18th overall.

 A very special mention has to be made for my wife, Jayde. As with all races it is all about the racing and that time spent on the bike, however, in a race like the Cape Epic, any stage race for that matter there is so much that goes on during those hours off the bike between stages. It becomes a routine from day to day and there is so much to organize between stages and preparation for what lies ahead the following day. Being the rider you are often so tied without enough energy to even think straight and the time off the bike can also be considered the most important part of the race in which you need to do as little as possible to recover as much as possible and regain focus! This is where you’ll hear of the word soigneur more commonly heard in the professional European racing scene like the Tour de France. Basically this is a cyclist's personal assistant who is assign to the riders to help them with everything that needs to be done. Jayde fulfilled this role during the 8 grueling days for me in an incredible way! She was always the first person I saw at the finish of each day with everything I possibly needed from carrying a big bag with all my stuff to a cold recovery drink to loving support. She was unbelievable and now she is not only my number-one-supporter but also my super-soigneur! I would also like to thank everybody else for the support, my parents for coming out and watching along the way and all the encouraging messages!