Many people buy a gravel bike inspired by the idea of doing a self-supported adventure with friends. But if you're like me, you probably never made it past the idea stage...
I bought my Trek 920 nearly three years ago, and it's taken me that long to get my act together and do a tour. My excuse list was the same as yours: work deadlines, obligations at home, and perhaps (secretly) fear of the unknown...
Finally, with some pressure from my friend John-Randel (JR) Vermaak, who was in the same boat of owning a gravel bike without having done any touring, we decided the time had come. A week-long gap in early June opened up, and we threw a route together on Ride with GPS and Google Maps. It turned out to be a winner!
Denne historien er fra September / October 2023-utgaven av Bicycling South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra September / October 2023-utgaven av Bicycling South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
PAINT YOUR BIKE
A DIY GUIDE TO CUSTOM- PAINTING YOUR BIKE AT HOME
THE CASE AGAINST STRAVA
I'LL BEGIN BY SINGING SOME PRAISES. Without Strava, I'm not sure I'd have re-engaged with cycling at the level I did. Coming from just occasionally messing around on mountain bikes as a teenager to trying my best to race at an elite level, Strava has played a role in pushing me to ride faster, harder and longer than I'd ever done before.
OVERBERG MEANDER
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE IN THE ROLLING HILLS OF THE SOUTHERN CAPE.
THE RIGHT TO RIDE
THEY LED A CYCLING REVOLUTION IN AFGHANISTAN, WHERE WOMEN WERE FORBIDDEN TO RIDE. WHEN THE TALIBAN RETURNED TO POWER, THEIR ONLY HOPE WAS A HARROWING ESCAPE TO AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE.
ONE MAN'S CRUSADE TO TAKE DOWN ZWIFT CHEATS
INDOOR CYCLING AND VIRTUAL RACING ARE BOOMING - AND SO ARE THE RANKS OF DIGITAL DOPERS ABUSING THE PLATFORMS.
Gale Force
IN 2025, THE ABSA CAPE EPIC WILL ROLL OUT FOR THE 21ST TIME. ONLY TWO RIDERS HAVE FINISHED ALL 20 PREVIOUS EVENTS.
The Contenders
Matt Beers is undoubtedly the most popular cyclist in South Africa.
The Czech Mates
THIS YEAR, BLIND ATHLETE ONDŘEJ ZMEŠKAL and his tracker Marek Peterka will tackle the Absa Cape Epic riding a tandem. And far from being daunted, the duo are excited about the challenge ahead.
Beyond The Trails
Over the past two decades, the Absa Cape Epic's impact on South African cycling tourism has been nothing short of phenomenal. The race not only attracts professional and dedicated amateur riders from across the globe, but also plays a pivotal role in boosting local economies and showcasing South Africa as a premier destination for adventure seekers. Let's delve into how the race achieves these feats:
The Fixers
EVERY DAY, WHEN YOU FINISH A STAGE of the Absa Cape Epic, it's your chance to recover and recharge for the next day.
