IN OUR LAST ISSUE, BICYCLING ONLINE EDITOR AARON BORRILL CALLED FOR A SOLO CATEGORY AT THE CAPE EPIC. BUT ROB VOGEL SAYS: WHEN IT COMES TO THE EPIC, THERE’S ONLY ‘WE’.
EVER SINCE I STARTED CYCLING A LITTLE MORE SERIOUSLY, MOUNTAIN-BIKE STAGE RACES HAVE BEEN TEAM EVENTS.
My first multi-day event was the Cape Pioneer Trek, in 2010. I had no plan, no partner and no clue what to expect. The organisers teamed me up with an American. He was flying in for the Pioneer, and kept updating me via email about his training.
When we finally met, 12 hours before the start, I saw in front of me a wiry, lean, white-haired 50-something who looked like he’d been cycling forever. To top it all, his name was Cleat! This guy was way ahead of the curve, as far as I was concerned; and I was justifiably nervous.
Three days later, he was out of the race – a dodgy stomach had taken its toll. I carried on, and finished the event alone.
In 2011, my love/hate affair with the Absa Cape Epic started. The Epic is a stage race through and through; that’s how Kevin Vermaak conceived it all those years ago. He’s stuck to his guns, and I respect him for that.
I have shared the experience with five different partners, and raced three Epics in the Mixed category. This year was number seven, but not officially – I was the Hyena.
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