Cape Epic 2018 Route Revealed

The route for the 2018 Absa Cape Epic has been revealed, and for the first time since 2011, the event organizers have also re-introduced a time trial. The final stage for next years event is also set to be a grueling one, with riders expected to go through a challenging 70km stage that includes 2,000m of climbing, guaranteeing that racers will work hard to earn the coveted finisher medal.




The 2018 Route


Prologue: Table Mountain
Distance: 20km / 600m climbing

The Mountain

Short and oh-so-very sharp. From the imposing buildings of the University of Cape Town riders will be sent up the most vicious climbs of one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Some may be left wondering about their legs after the first climb that has been given a name we dare not print in public, just 100m long with some sections ramping up to a 40% gradient. Table Mountain has one last punch for the riders, up to Dead Man’s Tree, before they find the masses of spectators who will cheer them on as they head on the loop back to the finish. One last challenge awaits, the eye-wateringly quick descent of Plum Pudding.



Stage 1: Robertson-Robertson
Distance: 110km / 1,900m climbing

Nowhere to Hide

Stage 1 is never easy at the Absa Cape Epic, although this first day will welcome riders with a hard smile that will become a grimace of effort and endurance. A roll around district and farm roads to start is followed by some sharp kickers and the rock ’n roll descent on the rocky, rutted descent of Con’s Singletrack. Takkap Climb comes into play just before halfway and will be the biggest challenge of the day, brutally steep and rocky. Hey, this is Robertson. Everything is rocky in Robertson. The “Hidden Cliff” of Skuilkraans is part of a 14km uphill slog before some small reprieve and a few testing climbs through the Elandskloof Reserve.



Stage 2: Robertson-Robertson
Distance: 110km / 2,000m climbing

Against the Ropes

This will be like a 10-round world championship boxing match, with a series of climbs that will throw jabs and uppercuts at the riders all day. Learn the names of these bumps, because you’ll remember them well. The Balboa, the Cow Climb, Kat se Pad, Kat de Stert, Neil’s Folly, One-Two-Three Combo, Suckerpunch Climb and, when you think it is all over, the Counter Punch Climb. There will be some fun with the 10km Bosvark singletrack swoop after 82km, which for many will be the highlight of the day. Keep something in reserve for the last 40km.



Stage 3: Robertson-Worcester
Distance: 122km / 1,800m climbing

The Longest Day

The transition day will be the longest stage of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic, but will not be the most challenging in terms of terrain. Well, except for the Porcupine Trap, a flat-out section through sandy fynbos trails toward the Saggy Stone Brewery that has porcupine dens that could swallow a man whole. The first 20km includes three climbs, but it is Penn Hill that is the main challenge of the day, a 3.5km brute of a climb that comes after 12km of uphill graft. This is thorn country. Look after your tyres on the run into Worcester.



Stage 4: Worcester-Wellington
Distance: 111km / 1,800m climbing

Battle Royal

The Queen Stage. The Tough Stage. One Stage to Conquer Them All. This will include two of the toughest climbs of the 15th Absa Cape Epic and the terrain will leave riders exasperated at times. There will be more singletrack than you could wish for. The testing Rawsonville and Smablaar River trails will prepare riders for one of the iconic sections of the 2018 route: The Slanghoek Valley trails, a throwback to the early days of mountain biking, before trails became smooth and “manicured”. The Slanghoek Traverse is a testing descent, while the Thudbuster is a loose and sandy climb that points to heaven but never seems to leave hell. The 9km of the historic Bain’s Kloof Pass is on tar, but feels like it is never-ending. The last 15km takes in the Welvanpas trails and is, mostly, a downhill roll to Wellington.



Stage 5: Wellington-Wellington
Distance: 39km / 1,430m climbing

Against the Clock

Flat out, but far from flat. The time trial is the race of truth, just you and your partner against the clock. This could shake up the elite categories, the intensity of the altitude gain and the short day may catch a few of them out. Back in 2010, when the last time trial was held, Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser put a minute gap into their opponents. That could be more over the three, massive climbs on the day. Rondawel is first up after 5km, then Plantation at 13km and the Seven Peaks 22km in. The fun will come with the Bobsled bridge and the singletrack descents of Cool Runnings and Cool Runnings Two.



Stage 6: Wellington-Wellington
Distance: 76km / 2,000m climbing

True Grit

And, on the seventh day, there was some small respite. This is the fun day of the 2018 Absa Cape Epic, but riders will still need to go up to earn the right to enjoy the downhills. So, before the 2km descent of the Rollercoaster, you will need to ride 2.5km of up. The Green Mamba climb is relentless, long and steep, but it comes with the reward of the Bain’s MTB Trails at Welvanpas. Fun times are to be had through the Handlebar Snatcher, Deadly White Climb and the Cheese Grater. There is just one more big climb at 58km, but the race village is not far away.



Stage 7: Wellington-Val de Vie
Distance: 70km / 2,000m climbing

The Last Stand

Remember when the last day at the Absa Cape Epic was a trundle home? No more. The climbing starts after just 3km on the Patatskloof (Sweet Potato Ravine). Concrete strips announce the beginning of the Beulah climb, which leads into the seemingly-endless Hawaqa climb, which together gain over 450m in around 6km. Once done with the Protea Climb, riders will be able to see the finish at Val de Vie, but have one last challenge: the Freedom Struggle Climb. The Bone Rattler descent is followed by a last 3km bump and a very loose and rocky descent where they will need to exercise caution. The final 6km is on purpose-built singletrack to the Grand Finale at Val de Vie Estate and the celebration of wearing an Absa Cape Epic finisher’s medal.


More Cape Updates

The 2018 Cape Epic will also see the introduction of the Hannele Steyn Trophy, which pays homage to Hannele and her achievements at the Cape, completing all 14 Cape Epics so far and winning the race in 2005. The award will go to the first women's all-African team to finish the event.

For 2018, the Cape Epic sees the inclusion of Aquellé water and Globalstar Satellite Africa, who are the official tracking partner for the race. The Cape Epic is part of a global series of races, of which allow racers to qualify for the Cape Epic. The races include the newly acquired Swiss Epic, and The Pioneer, which is held in New Zealand.

The 2018 Cape Epic will commence one week after the first MTB World Cup of the season, which will be hosted in Stellenbosch for the first time in 20 years.

Check out their site for more on the 2018 Absa Cape Epic.