Get ready to enter for the 2017 Absa Cape Epic

Early bird immediately.But if they pick your name out of the Lottery,then its like 3-4 weeks I think...

Best you find that sugar mommy then

If you really want to do the Epic, think long term.  Then try to join as a volunteer.  That way you get an idea of what goes on behind the scenes and then get the option to enter for the following year.

Still need to fund it

In the first year(s) of the Cape Epic, I believe they started in Knysna those years, There was a different overnight spot every night, you raced from Point A to B, sleep. B to C, sleep, C to D, sleep, etc. So what's that, 7 race villages? And if I remember correctly the 2004 entry fee was just over R10k?

This year...

A to A

B to B

B to B

B to C

C to C

C to D

D to D

D to E

E to A

Less race villages, yet the entry fee has increased roughly 600% ? And that is WITH big name sponsors probably paying premium to hang their banner on the fence as well?

I wouldn't enter this race, ever, even if someone else pays. Purely out of respect for the other person's money.

In the first year(s) of the Cape Epic, I believe they started in Knysna those years, There was a different overnight spot every night, you raced from Point A to B, sleep. B to C, sleep, C to D, sleep, etc. So what's that, 7 race villages? And if I remember correctly the 2004 entry fee was just over R10k?

 

This year...

 

A to A

B to B

B to B

B to C

C to C

C to D

D to D

D to E

E to A

 

Less race villages, yet the entry fee has increased roughly 600% ? And that is WITH big name sponsors probably paying premium to hang their banner on the fence as well?

 

I wouldn't enter this race, ever, even if someone else pays. Purely out of respect for the other person's money.

I hear your frustration and feel your pain. Unfortunately this is how big business operates.

When a business is growing its very customer focussed and value oriented. Once it grows beyond a fledgling business, growth becomes the objective whilst customer satisfaction may still be the objective, delivering more value is not necessarily the objective anylonger.

With this event it's clear the target market is the top 5% of earners globally. The brands the event wants to associate with is moving upmarket and therefore leaving the people that helped to promote and support its growth from formative to SME behind and now focussing on a platform to bring captains of industry to the table.

Even my boss is surprised that I MTB because he associates it with being a sport beyond what middle manager employees should be able to afford. When I tell him my MTB history he's more surprised because to him its a sport that sprang up 5-6years ago!!

In the first year(s) of the Cape Epic, I believe they started in Knysna those years, There was a different overnight spot every night, you raced from Point A to B, sleep. B to C, sleep, C to D, sleep, etc. So what's that, 7 race villages? And if I remember correctly the 2004 entry fee was just over R10k?

 

This year...

 

A to A

B to B

B to B

B to C

C to C

C to D

D to D

D to E

E to A

 

Less race villages, yet the entry fee has increased roughly 600% ? And that is WITH big name sponsors probably paying premium to hang their banner on the fence as well?

 

I wouldn't enter this race, ever, even if someone else pays. Purely out of respect for the other person's money.

That's nine days then?

I really don't mind the Epic going the route it does with their focus and entry fees. There is a very nice 2nd tier (J2C, Pioneer, W2W, S2C, Berg and Bush, etc.) and third tier (think all the smaller stage races) that are hugely popular and offer better value for money. None have the bragging rights the Epic has, which is fine with me. I'm probably not Alpha male enough to want that medal THAT badly. On the whole its fantastic to have the Epic as we would not have seen the likes of Sauser, Lakata, Platt, etc. racing at our events throughout the year. Our best products are being exported every day (fruit, wine, etc.) and our best services are aimed at the international market (game lodges, exclusive yacht charters, helicopter charters, etc.) the Epic is no different. Trying to point out how out of kilter the value proposition is (apart from the Prestige factor) will merely frustrate us and create unnecessary animosity towards the event and the participants. The Epic does not have the best routes, is not the toughest (think Freedom Challenge) and does not have the best hospitality. It does however have a certain quality that attracts those who can pay the premium the event is asking.

The organizers got the route badly wrong this year, in my opinion. To pay what we did to push our bikes around what passes for mountain bike routes in Tulbagh, was an absolute disgrace. In the unlikely event that I shell out what must have added up to 100k ( entry, accom upgrade, bike mechanic, spare, services, flights and accom for family, etc) to do this race again, I will first wait for the route to be advertised.

 

I loved the 2014 route, this was nothing like it.

Pushing Jock? - what are you talking about? you are supposed to ride.....

This epic had the least pushing of all of them for me - doubt we walked more than 2km - which is about 1/2 what we walked on the Citrusdal stage alone - we did however come appropriately geared with 2 front chainrings - and that 24/36 got used - a lot...

That's nine days then?

Bargain at the price.

In the first year(s) of the Cape Epic, I believe they started in Knysna those years, There was a different overnight spot every night, you raced from Point A to B, sleep. B to C, sleep, C to D, sleep, etc. So what's that, 7 race villages? And if I remember correctly the 2004 entry fee was just over R10k?

 

This year...

 

A to A

B to B

B to B

B to C

C to C

C to D

D to D

D to E

E to A

 

Less race villages, yet the entry fee has increased roughly 600% ? And that is WITH big name sponsors probably paying premium to hang their banner on the fence as well?

 

I wouldn't enter this race, ever, even if someone else pays. Purely out of respect for the other person's money.

You can now do the knysna to Cape Town vibe every Feb, called the Transcape. Not aimed at the hyped up epic crowd so probably a lot more fun, but now in its 2/3rd year and doesn't have the bucketlist ticking crowds running after it yet

Looking for a cape Epic 2017 entry

Pushing Jock? - what are you talking about? you are supposed to ride.....

 

This epic had the least pushing of all of them for me - doubt we walked more than 2km - which is about 1/2 what we walked on the Citrusdal stage alone - we did however come appropriately geared with 2 front chainrings - and that 24/36 got used - a lot...

Only saw your post now.....I've entered again....pain already forgotten!!!  "only " 2 ks....but all uphill, stop start stuff...sandy...frustrating!

Only saw your post now.....I've entered again....pain already forgotten!!!  "only " 2 ks....but all uphill, stop start stuff...sandy...frustrating!

We are also in again for 2017 - entry is done and dusted.

I'm so so jealous, this year was our first one with the goal of to enjoy it and finish each day, especially after all the teams that were out by day 3 (it's not something we all get to do every year so make the most of it)

I'm already having serious issues of not doing it again next year, to all those that got in, go and enjoy it, it's a REALLY AWESOME experience.

(So if anyone is looking for a partner and want to do it with the goal of to finish this race, perhaps look this side, I'm a really patient guy, passionate rider with a big love for the sport and for me to help someone with whatever means of motivation or what else is a even greater reward for me)

We are also in again for 2017 - entry is done and dusted.

Awesome! Hoping for a better route.....!

Awesome! Hoping for a better route.....!

I want a different prolog and last day's routes - the last day just sucked - and that prolog is getting boring - done it 3 times now - 4 if you count the last stage's overlap

You can make it a 100k, (not unlikely by next year) it will still be sold out in seconds.

Nah, saving up a bit and heading for Trans Alps instead.

I am selling an entry to Trans Alp if you are still looking for one?