Epic Insider: Rocks, ruts, and glowing brakes on Stage 1

It was all nervous chatter between partners and teams on the line in C/D group today as we waited to be let off on the first proper day. With rain threatening, even teasing, jackets were on then off then on again.

Image credit: Sam Clark/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

The gun fired to let us know that we could leave Arabella Wine Estate. It took a mere 450m before the first crash as there was a touch of wheels and four riders went down.

The next 25km were reasonably comfortable on farm roads until the first real tester of the day: a short very steep sandy fire road that has us walking for 100 meters. After that it became a bit more respectable and we could take to our bikes again and another short sharp rocky climb before a steep gnarly drop onto flat grassy jeep track. As we rounded a corner we could see what was in store for us, a rocky grassed jeep track section that kicked seemingly straight up and went on and on

I dug deep to carry on riding the trail as there were already plenty of walkers and loose rocks were pushing the front wheel all over the place. I managed to recover a few times, but unfortunately a walker ahead that “probably” didn’t hear my calls of “rider up left” ended in me walking too. There were a couple of sense of humour failures as we slogged the few kilometres to the top as I was snapped at for touching the calf in front of me (I’m being VERY polite in the description of this event).

A muddied GoPro captures the slog

At the top I mounted the bike again and started the descent which was steeper and rockier than the climb up. It was aching hands and smoking brakes to the bottom where we were met with more of the same type of rocky grassy climbs. Only steeper and rockier which resulted in more walking. A lot of it.

At the top I took a short breather and started a nice section of level jeep track that turned into probably one of the gnarliest descents I have ever done. Only a narrow line to ride, rutted on the left and loose rock on the right. Leaning far back I balanced on the brakes as this went on for ages. Hands cramping and brake pads now glowing it ended just in the nick of time as my pads started to soften and braking power was lost. At the bottom a member of one of the top racing teams was with medics looking very groggy after a fall.

Some flat riding on farm roads and a few gentle rises followed and we were into water point 2 with welcome nutrition and fluids.

From there the climb started almost immediately and was gentle for the first few kilometres. Only until more steep, rocky, rutted jeep track punished us for almost 4 kilometres. Close to the top there were a few steep sections that had riders pushing once again. As we crested and started the descent we could see and hear water point 3. I wasn’t fooled as we were still a good 20km’s from that point.

Image credit: Gary Perkin/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS

The smooth forested single track that led us down this mountain was a welcome contrast to the previous 70km. It seemed to go on for an age as it bobbed and dipped around trees and rocks popping us out on more jeep track that took us to the final big climb of the day.

This climb was sandy dual track littered with small rocks which snaked up the mountain side. It led on to another treacherously steep descent where a Portuguese team blasted past us and duly crashed at the bottom but fortunately they were able to continue.

A tar road led us to water point 3 and after a refuel we had a short gentle farm road climb followed by a descent on to district and farm roads. This undulated for 30km until a short sting on a newly tarred section. The final kilometres were fast and flat on farm roads. We turned into Arabella estate and finish area. Weary and dirty in 6:42 mins.

An extended day at 113km with 2450m of ascent.

The weather had stayed with just a light drizzle throughout the day. The climbs had punished us for sure and the descents tested our nerves, hands and brakes to the fullest.

My partner Michael was strong today and he climbed a steady pace throughout the day looking really relaxed.

I felt reasonably good through the day but my heart rate was high so had to back off on the climbs a bit for only a short period at 70km where I felt quite poor. Time to recover.