AT THE TIME OF WRITING, FIVE MONTHS INTO 2023, 51-YEAR-OLD JOHN DE BRUYN HAD RIDDEN OVER 8 000KM SO FAR THIS YEAR - AN AVERAGE OF 400KM AND 20 HOURS A WEEK. THE SORT OF MILEAGE A FULL-TIME PRO WOULD BE HAPPY WITH. YET DE BRUYN HAS A NORMAL JOB, AND A FAMILY.
FOR MANY OF US, EVEN THE POSSIBILITY OF SPENDING THAT MUCH TIME ON A BIKE SEEMS ALMOST LAUGHABLE. THAT'S THE DOMAIN OF THOSE WHO WEAR A SPONSOR'S JERSEY OR LIVE OFF A FAMILY TRUST FUND. AND FEW OF US COULD HANDLE THAT MUCH SADDLE TIME ANYWAY, EVEN IF WE COULD FIT IT IN.
BUT DE BRUYN HAS MADE IT WORK AND MANAGED TO KEEP THE BALANCE IN THE PROCESS.
BICYCLING: WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
John de Bruyn: My job is in the renewable energy space. It's a pretty rapidly growing area now, but it was something that was already in my mind long before the current energy crisis. So we maybe got a bit of a head start on some of the stuff we do. I find the whole space more fascinating every day.
One of the most interesting areas is around electric vehicles from scooters to fleet management. This revolution is going to come quicker than you think; because those vehicles require way less maintenance, and economically they make more sense. For people in fleet management, it's a way of controlling costs way better than they ever could before.
BIC: WHAT DID YOU STUDY, TO GET INTO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
JDB: Yeah, it feels like 200 years ago! But I studied urbanology, which is all about architecture, urban design and urban spaces. It's helped me a lot in my current role.
BIC: WHAT DOES RIDING MEAN TO YOU?
Bu hikaye Bicycling South Africa dergisinin July/August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Bicycling South Africa dergisinin July/August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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.
