Cape Epic

The Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas takes place every year around the last week of March and the first week of April. The race is held over 8 days and includes a time-trial prologue. The route changes every year, and leads aspiring amateur and professional mountain bikers from around the world through approximately 800 kilometres of the unspoilt nature of the Western Cape and up approximately 16 000m of climbing over some of the most magnificent passes in South Africa.

Ride in Teams of Two
All riders must enter as a two-rider team. Teams register in one of four different categories that include Men, Ladies, Mixed and Masters (both riders must be 40 years or older). The minimum age of participation is 18. The riders in a team must remain together at all times during the race and are expected to reach the finish line by 17h00 daily. At each stage, the winners of the day receive prizes and the leaders in the overall classification are awarded their leader jerseys.

Focus on Rider Satisfaction
The Absa Cape Epic is organised and presented with all participating athletes at the focal point. The athletes' satisfaction, well-being and enjoyment of the race are the organisers' primary goals. We aim to deliver an unsurpassed and unforgettable mountain bike and African travel-experience. Therefore, we offer 24-hour full service facilities during the race, including tented accommodation in race villages, carbo-loaded breakfasts and dinners, race nutrition, bike servicing, masseurs, and stage location specific entertainment every evening.

Full Service Race
The Absa Cape Epic is the largest full-service mountain bike stage race in the world. Race nutrition, water, and isotonic carbohydrate drinks are available at the feed zones to revive tired riders during the race. At night, all riders and race crew sleep in the tented race villages that are set up prior to arrival and taken down immediately after the start each morning by the race crew.

New Route Every Year
The route of the Absa Cape Epic changes every year and riders will see wide open African plains, majestic mountains, deep ravines, indigenous forests, spectacular coastlines and flourishing vineyards.
The route is characterised by dusty and demanding gravel paths, strenuous rocky uphills, thrilling technical downhills, magnificent river crossings and stunning forested single tracks.

Companion Programmes
You can also experience the Absa Cape Epic without actually racing it. You can join the Volunteer Programme or the companion programme Epic Trippers. The companion programme is designed for those who love the idea of mountain biking through the Western Cape but who don't want to race 800 kilometres; whose partners are riding the Absa Cape Epic and who would like to share the experience without actually cycling the whole way; who prefer staying in a hotel and enjoying a few picnic lunch-stops along the route.

Location