“WesternCape” tag's highlights of related matches, posts & more...
Stage 5 | Live Broadcast | 2021 Absa Cape Epic
Short and brutally steep, on exhausted legs, Stage 5 will be a major physical and psychological hurdle on the trail to Val de Vie. In the past stages like these have been dubbed play days, but there is little playful about this intense test. The climbing starts virtually instantaneously. Leaving Wellington, the only way is uphill on the lengthy Hawequa Climb. It is never steep, but rather a slow, leg-sapping grind. The descent from the summit starts on dusty dual track, before slipping into the Brooklyn Bridge singletrack. Singletrack climbs and descents blur into one vision of agony and ecstasy thereafter. Up Seven Peaks, down Cool Runnings, up Aap d’Huez into Full Monty – the day’s Land Rover Technical Terrain – and a further black diamond, black route loop. The fun, games, climbing and, in all likelihood, suffering are not quite over yet. Riders must battle home for very hard-earned rest and recovery ahead of a big weekend of riding. 🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CapeepicMTB/ 🌐 Visit our website to access more content: https://www.cape-epic.com/ 📲 And Follow us on all our social networks: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capeepic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capeepic Twitter: https://twitter.com/capeepic
Stage 4 | Live Broadcast | 2021 Absa Cape Epic
After three days with precious few free kilometres, the transition stage from Saronsberg, in Tulbagh, to the Slanghoek valley appears, on paper, to be an easier day. Especially as the racing ends at the Goudini Spa and teams will transfer over the Limietberg Mountains, rather than having to ride over them. There is, however, a sting in the tail of the stage. The early kilometres may tick past with unnerving ease, but once the surface begins to roughen the challenges come thick and fast. Brutally uneven dual tracks through a private game reserve provide a sudden shock. Crossing the Breede River the challenging riding recommences with a steep but short climb into the Slanghoek Mountains. Rocky singletracks undulate along the length of the range; punishing the legs before the the infamous Thudbuster climb drive heart rates in the red. From there it is into the Land Rover Technical Terrain, the Slanghoek trails climb. From the top, it’s into Slanghoek cross-country course followed swiftly by the most technical of the mountain’s trails, covering the final kilometres to the remote finish at the Goudini Spa. From the Spa, a transfer through Du Toitskloof takes the teams to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Wellington. 🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CapeepicMTB/ 🌐 Visit our website to access more content: https://www.cape-epic.com/ 📲 And Follow us on all our social networks: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capeepic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capeepic Twitter: https://twitter.com/capeepic
Stage 3 | Live Broadcast | 2021 Absa Cape Epic
With two converging mountain ranges to explore, Stage 3 of the 2021 Absa Cape Epic is not short on climbing. Nestled in the nook between the Groot Winterhoek and the Witzenberg Ranges the Tulbagh Valley is not hasty to reveal its rewards. The stage begins benignly enough, until the first ever Dimension Data Hotspot sprint, down the town’s 300 year old Church Street. Thereafter the climbing begins in earnest; upwards towards the Bone Trail. Beyond, a network of brand new singletracks explores virgin territories. Well-established singletracks provide an exhilarating reward for conquering the two thirds of the day’s climbs. But one huge climb remains; Fanties Pass, arguably the toughest climb of the 2021 route. Topping out at over 20% and averaging 14% for its final 2 kilometres it will demand every ounce of energy. Below the summit the Land Rover Technical Terrain awaits on more virgin singletrack. 🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CapeepicMTB/ 🌐 Visit our website to access more content: https://www.cape-epic.com/ 📲 And Follow us on all our social networks: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capeepic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capeepic Twitter: https://twitter.com/capeepic
Stage 2 | Live Broadcast | 2021 Absa Cape Epic
The Witzenberg Valley is undoubtedly one of mountain biking’s most challenging playgrounds, making Stage 2 a fitting holder for the title of Queen Stage. Sheets of sandstone provide the ultimate testing ground for man, woman and of course, machine. No quarter is given by Mother Nature in this fertile valley. For those strong enough not to require one, there are rewards around every kink in the trail. First though you have to reach the fabled playground. Crossing the Ceres Valley is the first step on the journey. Then comes the Old Gydo Pass. On the Bokkeveld plateau the dual track climb gives way to singletrack. Snaking ever upward into the Witzenberg Mountains the trail becomes increasingly technical. As it starts to weave its way between sandstone outcrops the Land Rover Technical Terrain begins. It is far from the only technical section of the day’s route however. In the valley below, nearly 20 kilometres of virtually uninterrupted singletrack awaits. Only the day’s final climb brings an end to the singletrack. From the summit Table Mountain is visible on clear days, as is the stage finish, at Saronsberg. A final white-knuckle singletrack descent, along an old wagon trail, then drops from the heights of the Witzenberg to the Tulbagh Valley far below. 🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CapeepicMTB/ 🌐 Visit our website to access more content: https://www.cape-epic.com/ 📲 And Follow us on all our social networks: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capeepic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capeepic Twitter: https://twitter.com/capeepic
Stage 1 | Live Broadcast | 2021 Absa Cape Epic 18 October 2021
Not since 2013 has Stage 1 of the Absa Cape Epic dipped below the 100-kilometre mark. It is definitely no play-day though. Hard work lies ahead to harvest the rewards of the exceptional Eselfontein trails. After a relatively easy start to the stage, the first singletrack climb is fortuitously wider than most, actually allowing for overtaking opportunities. Two more singletrack climbs follow, including the ascent of the Dead Man Walking climb to the race’s first Dimension Data Hotspot. The singletrack from the summit is the day’s Land Rover Technical Terrain, Pipeline. A final loop, from the central water complex on the Eselfontein farm, takes in more scintillating singletracks including some of the oldest purpose-built mountain biking trails in the country. 🔔 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CapeepicMTB/ 🌐 Visit our website to access more content: https://www.cape-epic.com/ 📲 And Follow us on all our social networks: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capeepic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capeepic Twitter: https://twitter.com/capeepic