Epic day 5 pics

Cape epic day 4 - Team BBB

Today was hard for us, and the finish made it one of the toughest stages so far. We started fast with the front bunch but could only hold on for so long. Then we filtered through the field a bit until we reached Grootvadersbosch. After that we held our own until the end including the killer finish that had 3 nasty steep hills before Swellendam.

There were lots of casualties today with some really bad falls. Also a few more teams pulled out including some top names. We also started to see singles today as partnerless riders soldiered on.

It was another long hot day out making this one of the hardest epics so far

Epic day 4 pics

Cape Epic day 3 -Team BBB breaks down

Day 3 at the epic was both good and bad. It was a good day with a comfortable route with lots of flowing jeep track, technical sections and karoo scenery. The last 30 odd kms into Riversdsle was on a tar pass - a piece of cake compared to the nightmare climb of day 2.

On the bad side I seem to have devloped a cold, surprise - so we had to take it a bit easier today. We also had our first real technical problem with my front derailleur breaking just before the first water point. I could shift up but not down, so I had to use my foot to shift down. We tried a quick fix but that didn't work. So I had to stick it out to the shimano tech zone at wp 2. Bonus was that the break was a warranty claim, the Shimano guys were excellent and fixed it quickly so that we could continue.

I thought I had issues until we saw this guy at the end with a broken bike and completely missing seat post. His bike broke with about 80 km to go so they made a plan and managed to make it to the finish before cut off. Check the pics below.

Epic day 3 pics

Cape Epic 2008 - Day 2 broke back mountain

Today was a really tough day out in typical epic style. A fast start into George and the lead up to montague pass. It was a long pass and we tried to maintain a good pace without over doing it.

Down the otherside and rolling dusty Karoo roads before we turned off and went through some fatm jeep treacks. This section of the route was nice because there were lots of technical bits to takes your mind off the 140km for the day.

The route became more and more technical and it got hotter and hotter. Eventually we got to the final climb of the day at the 102km mark. It was loose rock with 4 false peaks with a total ascent of about 1000 metres. Two sections were too dificult to ride due to the loose rock and gradient. The descent on the otherside was equally challenging with steep loose rock and concrete path sections. It reminded us of a route from one of our training camps that simulated the heat and conditions very well.

The last bit home was almost the worst with me running out of water and not able to stick with some passing bunches. I was very happy to see the finish to one of the more difficult days that I can remember. We finished in the top 50 but have taken the whole afternoon to recover. Candice and Belinda have been our saviours helping to recover as quickly as possible with plenty food and drink.

There were quite a few non finishers today and some very weary but happy faces at the 6pm cut off.

Epic day 2 pics

Cape Epic Day 1 - Team BBB

It was a great day for riding day 1 at the epic. We have ridden this day 1 route twice before, one in the wet and once in the pouring rain. So today with sunshine and dry ground we were smiling and hoping for good day.

The seeding from the prologue worked out great as you could get a seeded start with similar level riders. The start was full of excitement and anticipation. Today was climbing climbing and climbing! The tracks through the forest were awesome with a good variety and changing surfaces all the time.

We rode quite hard today wanting to get a good first day. Our quick stop strategy worked well as we wasted little time at the water points. We finished comfortably and spent the afternoon recovering. No bike or body issues menas that we should be in good shape for tomorrow.

Cape Epic day 1 pics

Cape Epic Prologue - Team BBB

Cape Epic made history today with the running of a time trial prologue type
event. First riders left at 8am and the last ones at 2pm. We rode from Knysna
to the start at Pezula and got a bit more of a warmup than we had bargained for
going up Sparrabosh hill.

Everything went according to plan and we hit the track at 10:20 with a target
time of under 45min which seemed to be a good pace. It was a fun route with
some testing climbs, a bit of single track and some fast rocky downhills. We
rode hard but paid the price with Albert getting a cut tyre and a flat. With
the fat bastards behind us we did a speedy plug and bomb repair and got going
again as they passed us. The second half of the route was easier with more
downhills. As we hit the finish circle I also started to flat but mad it across
the line.

The finish was festive with the pros leaving between 11 - 11:30 so we could see
them go off and come back. Kevin Evans and David George wrode into the lead
with the fastest time of the day.

Turns out that I also suffered a cut tyre, so two brand new maxix crossmarks
later and our bikes are good to go again. It was a gentle reminder that we need
to ride carefully to preserve bike and body for the next 8 days.

Today was fun and interesting and it was nice lying around on the lawn feeling
good after the ride, but it will be quite unlike the 8 days ahead. So tomorrow
the real riding will start and the truth serum will be administered.

Epic prologue pics

Cape Epic day -1

Team BBB arrived in Knysna to a town full of bikes, shaved legs, mobile bike shops and foreign accents. Registration was quick and easy as usual with most of the dirty work having been done online. We picked up some last minute spare tubes from the maxxis guys. On our way out I also spotted Chris Etough the 24h solo world champ registering

Then it was the all important fitting of the epic number board to the bikes, always tricky but important process.

The weather is looking good for the first few days at least, who knows what may happen later. Best part about the start in knysna is our accommodation at the quays. It is convenient and very comfortable.

After finishing the 3rd epic last year we earned an invite to the Amabubesi dinner at Sirocca on Thesen Island. It was cool seeing some old epic friends and familiar faces from previous races. A few of the intl pros were also there to sign copies of the new Cape Epic coffee table book. The dinner was good but we left soon after desert to get some rest for the proloque tomorrow - our start time 10:20.

Team BBB at the Cape Epic

Oh yes  we  will be at the Cape Epic again next week.  We will be updating the blog daily on our progress at ABSA Cape Epic 2008!

 

This year  we are riding again thanks to a new sponsor BBB Bike Parts, old time sponsor Raleigh and loving and understanding wives who are also our very efficient support team .

 

We are riding 2009 prototype Raleigh full suspension bikes fitted with BBB parts and Maxxis tyres. You can checkout our bikes training and other really useful information at www.teambbb.co.za

 

Our very ambitious goal will be to finish in the Top 50 overall. With the toughest route yet and and ever improving field of riders we are in for an exciting week of riding.

 

MTB training - Keep your riding interesting

With the long hours I am putting in for the epic this year you are always in danger of getting bored with all the riding. But there are ways to keep things interesting. Firstly riding a mountain bike is a good start, changing surfaces and conditions make variety a little easier than on the road. But still route monotony can set in.

So route variation is a good way to have a different experience each day. Take this week for example. On Saturday I rode some really cool technical trails and then Sunday was a group ride on the road on a tandem with the wife. Monday was a recovery ride on a nice easy route, time to look around and enjoy the views. Tuesday was my technical route, with lots of obstacles, climbs and many tricky bits. Then Wednesday was a fast longer ride with a bit of pace, mix of tar and off road. Thursday was interval time with an easy pedal to the chosen hill and then 3 x15 min killer efforts to the top and back down. Lastly Friday is a day off.

Not a bad week of cycling is you ask me.

MTB Online Test Pilots

Average Guy and Alan have been selected to be test pilots for the 2009 Raleigh full suspension bikes. If you are lucky enough to catch us on the trails or at the Epic you can see it in person. Unfortuantely I cannot give any details other than to say it is a full four inch travel race machine.