Winner of 24 hour solo race to ride Cape Epic
At least 20 mountainbikers from the Helderberg will be among the 1 086 cyclists riding in the 2007 Absa Cape Epic, an 886 km cross country route held over eight days from Knysna to the Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West.
A total of 42 nations will be represented at this now world famous event and riders from as far as Brazil, Canada, Norway, Hong Kong and Australia will join in this unique event - including Olympic gold medallists, world champions and reigning UCI World Cup champions (riders must compete in teams of two).
The Epic has within four years become not only the largest full-service mountain bike stage race in the world, but also, globally the most televised bike event of all time.
Riders will complete a total climb of 15 045 metres - the equivalent of riding nearly twice up Mount Everest and pass through pass through a number of national parks, five Cape Nature Reserves and vast tracts of protected terrain.
One Somerset West cyclist who will be riding in the race is Dane Walsh, who himself has a number of impressive titles to his credit. Among these are winner of the Dirtopia 24 Hour Solo Endurance Ride - 37 laps of a 7,5 km through the night and finishing at 09:00, plus an excellent Cape Argus time of 2:47.
Dane said he and his riding partner, Julian Conrad, have been training hard for the Epic but will definitely not be racing, but riding it to enjoy it and the whole experience of the event. "We have been training since December and put in around 6 000 km in training for the race with an average of 15 to 16 hours a week (two hours every morning and two hours every evening).
"I have done most of my training on a road bike, basically because I'm a road cyclist. Myself and Julian will be happy to average between six to seven hours a day and finish in around 43 hours if all goes well. It is total concentration every metre of the way and one little slip in concentration could result in a fall and the end of the race.
"The top guys will average about four hours a day and finish in about 32 hours." He says that entering the race, paying his entry fee, getting a partner to ride with and getting a training programme all happened very quickly.
"At the beginning of November I got a training programme from Erica Green (who has represented South Africa in Mountainbiking at two Olympic Games) and the Sports Science Institute. We stuck to the programme and I believe it has gone well. I didn't really change my diet - I just ate a bit more carbohydrates."
Dane said Maverick Cycles would be providing back-up for five local teams in the form of a gazebo etc. Tents, food, water and masseurs will all be provided by the organisers at each stop over point.
The riders will average around 100 km a day for the 8 days before starting in Knysna on March 24 and finishing at Lourensford Estate on Saturday, March 31.
The first stage between Knysna and Uniondale will test riders with a gruelling 2 660 metre climb and Kevin Vermaak, director and founder of the Epic, said this is one the wildest routes to date.
Dane said that during one stage most of the riders, "except for the professionals" will have to carry their bikes up a 6 km jeep track which should take about an hour.
"I'm very excited to be riding this race and really looking forward to it. I think we're well prepared physically and emotionally and will be happy to finish in one piece in around 43 hours. If all goes well and I enjoy the ride - who knows, I may be back to race the Epic next year."
The Epic has within four years become not only the largest full-service mountain bike stage race in the world, but also, globally the most televised bike event of all time.
Riders will complete a total climb of 15 045 metres - the equivalent of riding nearly twice up Mount Everest and pass through pass through a number of national parks, five Cape Nature Reserves and vast tracts of protected terrain.
One Somerset West cyclist who will be riding in the race is Dane Walsh, who himself has a number of impressive titles to his credit. Among these are winner of the Dirtopia 24 Hour Solo Endurance Ride - 37 laps of a 7,5 km through the night and finishing at 09:00, plus an excellent Cape Argus time of 2:47.
Dane said he and his riding partner, Julian Conrad, have been training hard for the Epic but will definitely not be racing, but riding it to enjoy it and the whole experience of the event. "We have been training since December and put in around 6 000 km in training for the race with an average of 15 to 16 hours a week (two hours every morning and two hours every evening).
"I have done most of my training on a road bike, basically because I'm a road cyclist. Myself and Julian will be happy to average between six to seven hours a day and finish in around 43 hours if all goes well. It is total concentration every metre of the way and one little slip in concentration could result in a fall and the end of the race.
"The top guys will average about four hours a day and finish in about 32 hours." He says that entering the race, paying his entry fee, getting a partner to ride with and getting a training programme all happened very quickly.
"At the beginning of November I got a training programme from Erica Green (who has represented South Africa in Mountainbiking at two Olympic Games) and the Sports Science Institute. We stuck to the programme and I believe it has gone well. I didn't really change my diet - I just ate a bit more carbohydrates."
Dane said Maverick Cycles would be providing back-up for five local teams in the form of a gazebo etc. Tents, food, water and masseurs will all be provided by the organisers at each stop over point.
The riders will average around 100 km a day for the 8 days before starting in Knysna on March 24 and finishing at Lourensford Estate on Saturday, March 31.
The first stage between Knysna and Uniondale will test riders with a gruelling 2 660 metre climb and Kevin Vermaak, director and founder of the Epic, said this is one the wildest routes to date.
Dane said that during one stage most of the riders, "except for the professionals" will have to carry their bikes up a 6 km jeep track which should take about an hour.
"I'm very excited to be riding this race and really looking forward to it. I think we're well prepared physically and emotionally and will be happy to finish in one piece in around 43 hours. If all goes well and I enjoy the ride - who knows, I may be back to race the Epic next year."
Bite sized version of Epic
For those who seek a bite-sized version of the Absa Cape Epic, the Cape Times Vigne à Vigne, a one-day mountainbike race, will be taking place on the last day of the Absa Cape Epic on the Lourensford Wine Estate.
For a more sedentary day there will be beer gardens, wine tastings, helicopter flips and entertainment for kids and adults throughout the day.
Corné and Twakkie of The Most Amazing Show will provide a little something for the ladies before South Africa's hottest jazz sensation, Goldfish, perform. Platinum and track-side hospitality suites are available for corporate block bookings, where breakfast, canapé's, lunch, tea and drinks will be served.
While the elevated platinum suites overlook the finish line, the track side suites are positioned right next to the final chute for the finish line, to provide spectators with an eye-level view of the winners as they come in.
Both of the packages include free entries into the Cape Times Vigne à Vigne and a day of fine dining to follow, while the platinum suites include helicopter flips over the region and the track side suites offer exclusive luxury showers and massage services.
For more information on the finish line party, entering the Cape Times Vigne á Vigne or booking a suite, visit www.vigne-a-vigne.com or www.cape-epic.com. For more information on the route and the race, visit www.cape-epic.com.
For a more sedentary day there will be beer gardens, wine tastings, helicopter flips and entertainment for kids and adults throughout the day.
Corné and Twakkie of The Most Amazing Show will provide a little something for the ladies before South Africa's hottest jazz sensation, Goldfish, perform. Platinum and track-side hospitality suites are available for corporate block bookings, where breakfast, canapé's, lunch, tea and drinks will be served.
While the elevated platinum suites overlook the finish line, the track side suites are positioned right next to the final chute for the finish line, to provide spectators with an eye-level view of the winners as they come in.
Both of the packages include free entries into the Cape Times Vigne à Vigne and a day of fine dining to follow, while the platinum suites include helicopter flips over the region and the track side suites offer exclusive luxury showers and massage services.
For more information on the finish line party, entering the Cape Times Vigne á Vigne or booking a suite, visit www.vigne-a-vigne.com or www.cape-epic.com. For more information on the route and the race, visit www.cape-epic.com.
