29 October 2013 Events

Absa Cape Epic 2014 Route

By BikeHubCoreAdmin · 69 comments

The dramatic new route of the eleventh edition of the Absa Cape Epic, which takes place from 23 to 30 March next year (2014), will again offer participants from around the world an awesome trail that showcases the best that the Western Cape has to offer. Both local and international mountain biking enthusiasts will be taking on the demanding eight day mountain bike adventure of 718km with 14 850m of climbing.

The route, which changes significantly each year, will lead 1 200 cyclists through vast distances of virgin territory, previously untouched by the race. With its challenging and exhilarating landscapes, the stage locations of Robertson, Greyton and Oak Valley Wine Estate await the most prestigious mountain bike stage race in the world, before riders again finish at the Lourensford Wine Estate as has been tradition since 2007.

The Prologue:

The 2014 will kick off the at Meerendal Wine Estate on the doorstep of Cape Town with 23km distance and 700m climbing.

Stage 1:

In 2014 Stage 1 will start at Arabella Wines just outside of Robertson and feature 108km and 2450 climbing.

Stage 2:

Stage 2 explores the opposite side of the Robertson Wine Valley with 101km distance and 1550 climbing.

Stage 3:

Stage 3 features a distance of 134km and 1800m climbing from the red dust of the Klein Karoo of Robertson to the lush farmlands of Greyton.

Stage 4:

Stage 4 will feature a distance of 88km and 1850m of climbing in and around Greyton.

Stage 5:

During Stage 5 the Riders will travel from Greyton to Elgin with a distance of 110km and 2900m climbing.

Stage 6:

Stage 6 is the stage of rewards and a fitting climax to the #AbsaCapeEpic week featuring 85km distance and 1800m climbing in and around the Elgin valley.

Stage 7:

The final stage of the 2014 #AbsaCapeEpic draws to a close at Lourensford Wine Estate with 69km distance and 1800m climbing.

Overall:

Riders total 718km distance and 14850m climbing

Kevin Vermaak, founder and director of the Absa Cape Epic said, “We aim to offer participants from around the world an awesome experience that showcases the best that our beautiful country has to offer. We want different routes, with suitable technical and challenging riding, that take the riders to new towns whilst at the same time giving the riders the most beautiful and remote scenery, and with wild animals to boot. Without the incredible support of Cape Nature Conservation, this would not be possible as they give us access to their reserves.

“The Absa Cape Epic is an iconic endurance event. Finishing the Absa Cape Epic is and will always be an enormous physical and mental challenge, and riders will need as much dedicated training and preparation to earn the title ‘Absa Cape Epic Finisher’,” Vermaak concludes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiKT-8sKLf4

Cudos to scuzzy for being quick on the draw by posting the route before we could even see it at the official route launch this morning!

Follow the Absa Cape Epic at www.cape-epic.com, the mobi site, on Twitter and Facebook.

Tags: absa cape epic

Zipp Launches the All-New 202 NSW: Their Lightest Climbing Wheel Yet

Coast, Karoo and Back: Riding the Inaugural Garden Route Giro

Cronje Beukes and Mariëlle Trouwborst Win Final Stage and Inaugural Garden Route Giro

History For Beers and Nortje and Firsts for Lill and Keller

It’s Down to the Wire for GC Honours

GC Leaders Dominate Queen Stage in Tough Conditions

Comments

69 comments · Page 3 of 3

Jaco-fiets

Oct 30, 2013, 5:37 PM

I am new to the mountain biking scene as in 2 months.

I see a lot of mention about price.

What is the cost of entering this race?

I assume entering is by invitation or if you have lots of bucks can one enter.

Looking at the distance and climbing involved made my legs tired.

Around 46K if I am not mistaken. Based on a lottery system. Gets filled within minutes

Muggins

Oct 30, 2013, 5:42 PM

Now I understand all the comments regarding the cost.

Not exactly parking meter change.

Thanks

Muggins

Oct 30, 2013, 5:45 PM

Is a team made up of 2 riders?

Jaco-fiets

Oct 30, 2013, 5:50 PM

Is a team made up of 2 riders?

correct

Muggins

Oct 30, 2013, 5:59 PM

I have just been reading about it on their website.

He'll if one was fit and you were chosen that would be one hell of an adventure.

It would definitely make it on my top 10 things to do in life.

Carcarias1974

Oct 30, 2013, 6:00 PM

you are correct on both accounts......still over it......stage races should be done on the road.

Ah! Illumination! A roadie who couldn't cut it!

b-rad

Oct 30, 2013, 6:05 PM

I am new to the mountain biking scene as in 2 months.

I see a lot of mention about price.

What is the cost of entering this race?

I assume entering is by invitation or if you have lots of bucks can one enter.

Looking at the distance and climbing involved made my legs tired.

100 early bird entries to the 2014 Epic were sold out this year in 34 seconds...entry R45900/team.

Add on to that accomodation before and after the event, transport to the Cape, some new kit etc etc.

A number of other upgrade options are available too.

Unless of course you are a professional/ very highly ranked rider you could get a Wildcard entry...

sharkysa

Oct 30, 2013, 7:17 PM

Shebeen

Oct 31, 2013, 6:08 AM

why does it matter....none of the other stage races change their routes...if anything the epic changes things the most.

it's always been one of the big USP behind the race. the route and secrecy of it is a huge part of the mystical. but it's their race, they can do what they want with it.

last year they did a google earth flyover into the video, not this time. one thing that has definitely changes is the stage 3, how to get around the riviersondereind berge. in 2012 they went anti clockwise through villiersdorp, this time it's probably clockwise through stormsvlei.

edit: no groenlandberg must have been tempting

rouxtjie

Oct 31, 2013, 6:21 AM

it's always been one of the big USP behind the race. the route and secrecy of it is a huge part of the mystical. but it's their race, they can do what they want with it.

last year they did a google earth flyover into the video, not this time. one thing that has definitely changes is the stage 3, how to get around the riviersondereind berge. in 2012 they went anti clockwise through villiersdorp, this time it's probably clockwise through stormsvlei.

edit: no groenlandberg must have been tempting

Sure, some might say it holds some appeal. If you take joberg2c as an example they use the same trail over and over, but keep on improving it. More singletrack, less dirtroads. Good formula imo. Work with what you got, and constantly improve.

Look either way, its the most physically / mentally testing mtb event we got. That in itself holds some appeal, ie you earn your stripes.

Red Zone

Oct 31, 2013, 10:55 AM

Doubt i will ever do it, purely cause it is way out of my price league.

Adjust your price league, easy peasy

sharkysa

Oct 31, 2013, 6:03 PM

Tour does similar climbs but the routes are generally very different. It's just unimaganative by Dr Evil, western cape has many more places to ride.

Maybe 2012 was a very profitable year and all they see are dollar signs. #capeepicdissapointed

But I am paid up and will enjoy it non the less. But J2C and pioneer now look more interesting. But that amabubesi is calling. But then again I can just buy the jersey at the store, no?

Skubarra

Oct 31, 2013, 6:47 PM

Tour does similar climbs but the routes are generally very different. It's just unimaganative by Dr Evil, western cape has many more places to ride.

If you HAVE to finish at the "iconic" Lourensford everytime, and ride in circles half the time, I actually don't think you have that many options for routes.

#capeepicdissapointed

But I am paid up and will enjoy it non the less.

Eish life is tough... I can just feel the empathy in the air of all those 100's of okes on the waiting list who don't have the option of riding this disappointing route (not even mentioning those who simply can't afford to)

SupremeLady

Nov 1, 2013, 7:04 AM

Excited to do my first one!! :clap:

But now that I have seen the route profiles... Maaaaayybe I should train a bit more :eek:

mallyo

Nov 1, 2013, 8:29 AM

is it just me or am i not the only one a little 'over' the epic......?

Just you

Peerless

Nov 1, 2013, 12:12 PM

Tour does similar climbs but the routes are generally very different. It's just unimaganative by Dr Evil, western cape has many more places to ride.

Maybe 2012 was a very profitable year and all they see are dollar signs. #capeepicdissapointed

But I am paid up and will enjoy it non the less. But J2C and pioneer now look more interesting. But that amabubesi is calling. But then again I can just buy the jersey at the store, no?

It is a cut-and-paste combination of the 2009 and the 2012 Cape Epics.

They only have to make sure to replace the Adidas branding from the 2009 markers...

MuddyMike

Nov 2, 2013, 6:36 PM

So what if some of the routes are similar to 2012.... I cant remember much of the 2012 route anyway through all the blood and sweat, so it will all seem new anyway. Epic simply cant be compared to other SA stage races. If you havent done it you wouldnt understand. Its just on another level.

Stevief

Nov 4, 2013, 6:01 AM

These are the cold hard fact. Anyone who rides MTB would love to do the Epic.

Some of us tell ourselves its to expensive (its not cheap but nothing worthwhile in life is cheap and people can make a plan by saving R1500 odd a month for a year), some say training takes up to much time ( this is the hardest part of the epic, you really need to put in the prep). Some say the route is boring (no matter how u cut it riding for 8 days thru the Western Cape mountains will be anything but boring.

So when all is said and done there are two types of MTBers in this world those that have ridden the epic and those that wish to ride it someday.

arendoog

Nov 4, 2013, 6:12 AM

These are the cold hard fact. Anyone who rides MTB would love to do the Epic.

Some of us tell ourselves its to expensive (its not cheap but nothing worthwhile in life is cheap and people can make a plan by saving R1500 odd a month for a year), some say training takes up to much time ( this is the hardest part of the epic, you really need to put in the prep). Some say the route is boring (no matter how u cut it riding for 8 days thru the Western Cape mountains will be anything but boring.

So when all is said and done there are two types of MTBers in this world those that have ridden the epic and those that wish to ride it someday.

Not a celeb ,Absa employee or Exxaro member .Only a mtb,er that looks for value for money and a memorable event .Thank goodness there are organizers like Dryland ,,Advendurance, Wappo and team

Shebeen

Nov 26, 2013, 1:20 PM

Saw a whole bunch of cape epic direction arrows at waterfront today with …what’s going on?!

69 comments · Page 3 of 3 · Go to forum topic