From Fluidride Team Rider: Anka Martin
The reason that I am in South Africa is because I am participating in the Absa Cape Epic, a 9 day xc stage race where Megan (my partner) and I will be riding 920km (580 miles) on dirt!Our team is called the Ironhorse Maidens, and we will keep you updated here on what we are getting up to with our preparations for the Epic.
The 2008 race route is as follows:Prologue: 17km 310m in the Pezula estateStage 1: 123km 3091m : Knysna to SaarsveldStage 2: 137km 2518m: Saarsveld to CalitzdorpStage 3: 133km 2340m: Calitzdorp to RiversdaleStage 4: 121km 2620m: Riversdale to SwellendamStage 5: 146km 1819m: Swellendam to BredaarsdorpStage 6: 130km 2095m: Bredaarsdorp to HermanusStage 7: 91km 1985m: Hermanus to GrabouwStage 8: 68km 1760m: Grabouw to LourensfordThere are no easy days on this route and long distances in the first 6 days are going to be challenging. Day 1 will be as tough as ever and day 2 has the potential to be the toughest day ever with a really long and hard climb towards the end of the stage. The other days are long and hard. Don’t be fooled by the shorter distances on the last two days, the climbing and the terrain will make them interesting and hard after 7 days on solid riding. It looks like there will be a fair amount of technical rocky and sandy stretches following the standard set by last years superb route. From experience the route organisers highlight the easier parts and smooth over the difficult parts, this was definitely evident from last night, with a few subtle warnings of extra training, rough conditions and long days and no mention of so called rest days.
It promises to be another awesome event.
(Also check out www.ankameganadventures.blogspot.com).
