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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.

CYCLING'S SUPER SUNDAY

THE CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR IS ICONIC AS A BIKE RACE, AND AS AN EVENT THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA.

He says 'Ride', you say 'How high?'

YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT or think it, due to his quiet, unassuming nature, but Absa Cape Epic Route Director Hendrico Burger is something of an icon in South African mountain-biking circles.

Guess Who's Back?

ANNIKA LANGVAD, THAT'S WHO! After officially retiring from racing in October 2020, the Danish cycling superstar couldn't resist the call of competition. She's back for the 2025 Absa Cape Epic, in a bid to add to her five Absa Cape Epic titles.

A GREAT TIME, NOT ALWAYS A FAST TIME

OFFICIALLY, I'VE COMPLETED 11 Cape Town Cycle Tours, but I think I've done closer to 14 (I rode a handful without the required timing chip). Most of them have been slow.

The Toughest Epic Stage Ever

WITH 12 ABSA CAPE EPIC FINISHER'S MEDALS ON THE WALL AND NEARLY 100 STAGES UNDER HIS BELT, NIC LAMOND WADES INTO THE GREAT DEBATE - WHICH EPIC STAGE WAS THE TOUGHEST THERE'S EVER BEEN?

Beating Beers? A Tall Task...

THIS YEAR, MATT BEERS WILL TACKLE THE CAPE EPIC for team Outride Toyota alongside new partner Keegan Swenson.

Joel Hits A Century

FROM WORLD CUP-WINNING RUGBY STAR TO EPIC LEGEND - JOEL STRANSKY CONTINUES TO ADD TO HIS IMPRESSIVE ABSA CAPE EPIC JOURNEY.

The Meaning of GOAT

Yeah, and I'm still enjoying riding my bike. But now I'm one of the oldest in the field!

From Champions To Changers

IN 1997, SWISS MOUNTAIN BIKER Christoph Sauser found Stellenbosch.

DON'T MAKE THIS CHAIN LUBE MISTAKE

IT'S ALL ABOUT TIMING.

Ride Like a Hyena - And Thrive

WITH THOUSANDS OF ABSA CAPE EPIC KILOMETRES in his legs, and over a decade of knowledge from working on the event, Richard McMartin knows the race inside out.

To Become a Legend

IN 2024, BIANCE BEKKER was one of just four people to have completed every Epic Series race.

GETTING A FLAT CAN MAKE YOUR RIDE BETTER

ON A BEAUTIFUL LATE-SUMMER RIDE, under a clear blue sky… I got my second flat in three days.

The Women's Race: Building The Culture

THE ABSA CAPE EPIC is not only an event that entices the world's best female riders to South African shores, but also one that actively encourages women to take up the sport of mountain biking.

THE VOICE OF CYCLING

GERALD DE KOCK JUST WANTED TO PLAY CRICKET. Then he wanted to study sports science at Stellenbosch University. But the universe has a habit of sending the best intentions along unmapped highways, and he was diverted to the world of cycling – via a 40-year-long commentary career that started in Potchefstroom, during a Western-Transvaal versus Boland Currie Cup rugby match.

Jerseys And Trophies

The yellow zebra jersey is worn by the overall leading team in the Men’s category, and the team in yellow after the full eight days is the winner.

WHAT'S THAT NOISE?

HOW TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX COMMON CREAKS AND SQUEAKS.

THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY BIKES TO CHOOSE FROM

“PERFECTION IS ACHIEVED NOT WHEN there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

PAARLTeamwork Makes The Dream Work

IN 2017, AFTER DEVELOPING TRAIL networks such as Cradle Moon and Hobby Park in Gauteng, and managing several premier cycling events, Darren and Yolandi Herbst arrived in Paarl - with a vision.

GEAR FOR THE AGES

Some bicycle components, tools and accessories - by design, luck or a bit of both - become icons of performance, reliability and permanence in cycling.