CAPE EPIC: 11 Epic memories

BICYCING

Words: Hannele Steyn | Photos: Mark Sampson, Twitter – MarkSampsonCT

EPIC MEMORIES

THE ABSA CAPE EPIC IS AN INCREDIBLE RACE TO TAKE PART IN. Not only is it the 'Tour

de France' of mountain biking, it is the world’s toughest mountain bike stage race and attracts leading mountain bikers from around the world, including previous World and Olympic Champions. Now into its eleventh year, the 2014 edition was made all the more memorable for me as it was also my 11th Cape Epic. In 2013, I shared this epic journey with seven other men, who had completed all 10.

But as with all Epics, there will always be a few twists.

#36 | DO IT NOW Magazine • 1

THIS YEAR WAS NO DIFFERENT AND THE FIRST CHALLENGE THROWN MY WAY WAS WHEN MY VERY YOUNG PARTNER GOT SICK A WEEK BEFORE THE START AND I HAD TO FIND SOMEONE WILLING TO TAKE HER PLACE AT SUCH SHORT NOTICE. My preparation for the event

had been centred on helping her get some UCI points, so I had to be very fit and strong because at 48 years of age, I wasn’t that fast anymore J. My 2013 partner, Kenny, agreed to take her place, but made it abundantly clear that he was not prepared for such a long event. All of a sudden, I had to change my whole mindset as the pressure to race was off now and we would tackle the race according to our capabilities.

The Epic is an amazing event in every single aspect, from the correspondence before the event, right up to the registration at the Waterfront, our lovely goodie bags, and the incredible organisation over the eight days.

This year, the organisers outdid themselves once again with things such as top-quality race kit gift bags and tuk-tuks to transport the riders to and from the registration marquee. There were internet cafes, a laundry service, three meals a day, food at the water points, coffee shops, and chill tents. We had everything you could possibly want on a five star, TOUGH, cycling holiday.

With everything taken care of, all we had to do was prepare mentally for the race and hope that the weather prediction for rain, for almost the whole event, were wrong. Rain can cause a lot of mechanical problems with the mud and this race was challenging enough already.

The Prologue started at one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa, Meerendal, in Durbanville, and thankfully, we only had to contend with a slight drizzle. My partner and I finished sixth in the Mixed teams, an unexpected and pleasing result.

By Monday, the start of stage one in Robertson, the rain was bucketing down. We all battled through mud, and sadly passed some of the hot favourites to win, who were having mechanical issues. As a result, the top spots were wide open and it was anyone's game to win. 

2 • DO IT NOW Magazine | #36

Surrounded by beautiful scenery, Hannele Steyn powers on with a smile on her face or is that a grimace?

EPIC MEMORIES

www.doitnow.co.za • 3

With 1,4850 m of climbing, covered over eight days, riders seldom get a chance to take in the picturesque settings. Stage 5, from Greyton to Oak Valley in Elgin, saw riders passing by part of the Riviersonderend Mountain range seen in the distance.

THE AMOUNT OF PUNCTURES AND OTHER MECHANICALS' RIDERS EXPERIENED WERE THE MOST I HAVE EVER SEEN IN AN EPIC. THEN ON DAY THREE, DURING THE STAGE FROM ROBERTSON TO ROBERTSON AND WITH JUST 85 KM TO GO, KENNY'S BACK HUB BROKE AND HE WAS LEFT WITH NO GEARS. 4 • DO IT NOW Magazine | #36

At that point, we were lying in fourth place in the Mixed teams. There was nothing we could do, so we broke some wire off a fence and tied the cluster body to the spokes. Our bush mechanics meant that he at least had a fixed gear, but could only pedal very slowly to the next water point.

The mechanics there did the best they could, but the reality of being cut from the race started to set in and this meant that I wouldn’t be an 11-time finisher and there would be no more females to keep the legacy going! Kenny could pull out and I could ride as an Outcast and still get a finish, but that was the last thing I wanted.

Onwards we went, but we had to stop on several occassions to retie the cluster body, eventually having to break off some of his spokes to use. I had to push a 1,98 m man for the last few kilometres, but we made it

MORE INFORMATION Some of my race stats: I finished second in the Mixed teams in my first Epic; won the Ladies category in the second Epic; finished second Ladies team in 2010; won 11 stages all together; finished it solo on 3 occasions when my partners dropped out; chased a cut-off time once; rode with 10 different partners; and fell 3 times.

Did you know? The first entry fee was R3,750 and the 11th one was R48,900. I could have owned a small plot by now, but prefer the memories J.

in a time of nine hours, one hour before the cut-off time. The possibility of finishing with a good place had ended, but we were far from giving up.

The next few days went better and we managed to climb up the leader board from 43rd to 12th in the Mixed teams. However, in the last two days the distance got to Kenny and we had to ride within his comfort zone. What a great partner not to give up!

The finish at Lourensford Wine Estate was very emotional, but worth every minute of the pain and stress. I am now one of just six people, and still the only female, to have completed all 11 Absa Cape Epics.

"The distance between love and hate is a thin line, but in the end love will conquer!" This sums up the feeling you develop for the Epic, as well as the feeling between partners, sometimes. But in the end, love wins because as soon as you cross that finish line, you only feel love!

WELL DONE TO EACH AND EVERY RIDER, THE WINNERS, FINISHERS, ORGANISERS AND SPONSORS. LAST

BUT NOT LEAST, I AM TRULY GRATEFUL FOR 11 YEARS OF BLESSINGS. •

www.doitnow.co.za • 5

BIG WHEELS

FOR EVERY APPETITE

No matter your big wheeled appetite, we have a 29er to satisfy your cravings. The Scale, Spark and Genius 900 are all efficient, lightweight and deliver the best attributes of the 29er.

Whether it’s XC, Marathon or Enduro you ride, the 900 series has you covered.

AVAILABLE AT 60 Independant SCOTT Sports Retailers of Southern Africa For more information call SCOTT Sports Africa on 0860 776 2453