Epic Insider: Finding our groove on Stage 4

Participating in a stage race usually means that you’re somewhat disconnected from friends and family. A few early morning messages and post ride chats keep you in touch, but for a good 5-9 hours you’re unaccounted for. Off the grid so to speak.

Taking on our first Cape Epic, Dane and I have a small horde of friends and family keenly following our progress. And although many of these supporters understandably can’t take time off work to come out to the various stages, they’re avidly cheering us on in just about real time.

The Tracker live rider tracking has been a game changer – or so we’re being told. We’ve of course personally not used it being on bikes and all, but our network of friends and family tracking us are hooked. We’ve got more support than I think we even realise and our families have been able to get involved with our experience more so than ever before. Although the feedback is one-way there have been many moments out on the course when we’ve either thought or spoken of what our virtual supporters must be thinking. Arriving at our tents after a stage our phones are bombarded with Whatsapp messages and running commentary from those furiously following us. It’s been phenomenal. For us and our friends and family.

Photo by Nick Muzik/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

Back to today though. After the admittedly miserable day yesterday today’s stage was a pleasure. Well, it was 111km with 2000m of climbing so it hurt, and it wasn’t easy, but we tapped out a good rhythm and rode really well together. Saving a little in the tank for what’s tipped to be a tough stage tomorrow it was a well measured effort.

The stage kicked of with a fast 12km on tar and dirt roads. Near the front of our group we sat in the bunch and enjoyed the slipstream. The one thing we’re learning about the Cape Epic though is that tar typically means “enjoy it while it lasts ‘cos we’re about to make it tough”. And sure enough we soon began the first climbs of the day. The route profile looked a bit like a city skyline with three sharp and steep climbs at the end aptly named the “skyscrapers”.

Photo by Ewald Sadie/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

Photo by Gary Perkin/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

We were quickly ticking off the kilometers and soon at water point 1. A good thing since my back tyre had been slowly losing air and was now a bit too cushy. It had started playing up with about 25km to go in yesterday’s stage, but this morning appeared to be good to go. Fiddling with the valve at the stop I tightened everything up and topped up some air in the hope a quick fix would do the trick. Over the next climbs and descents to water point 2 that slushy rear end made a second appearance. Not wanting to waste time trying to pinpoint the issue I’d already decided to cut my losses and pop in a tube in place of the tubeless setup.

Arriving at the stop off I made a beeline for the SRAM tech zone to ask for a tire lever saving having to dig for mine. The tech’s from SRAM took charge and told me to grab some water and snacks. Upon returning they’d replaced the dodgy valve and had begun refitting the tyre. In under 5 minutes we were topped up and again on our way. You do feel like a bit of a rockstar pulling in and getting attention like that – the kind of stuff we see on the World Cup circuit. My own pit crew… for that moment at least.

After the stop we had two more climbs across the “cityscape” before a flatter fast section linking between farms below the hills. The reprieve was welcome, but we were itching to get over the last three climbs and home. Again we found a good rhythm tending to reel in many teams on the climbs. These weren’t overly long, but in parts had a cruel gradient – a feature I tend to enjoy!

Photo by Sam Clark/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

All in all really enjoyable day on the bike. Perhaps in the shadow of yesterday’s suffering this was exaggerated, but aside from a brief mechanical things just worked today. Spirits were up and we gelled well as a riding pair finding our epic groove.

Tomorrow is moving day again as we head for our last camp in Wellington. Another long stage awaits with 121 km (extended by 4km due to roadworks). A treat awaits us at the end this time with some inspired mountain bike trails through Welvanpas.