Saddle Up

Not since 2013 has Stage 1 of the Absa Cape Epic dipped below the 100-kilometre mark. It is definitely no play-day though. Hard work lies ahead to harvest the rewards of the exceptional Eselfontein trails. Reaching its mountain biking nirvana is the simple part and requires riders to traverse the orchards of the Ceres Valley. After a relatively easy start to the stage, the first singletrack climb is fortuitously wider than most, actually allowing for overtaking opportunities. This is essential as the technical nature of the climb means the fittest riders may not be the fastest to the summit. Two more singletrack climbs follow, linked by technical descents that will reveal the folly of riding a hardtail. 

The ascent to the stage's highest point, on the Dead Man Walking climb, is punctuated by the race's first Dimension Data Hotspot. While the singletrack that follows, back to the valley floor, provides the day's Land Rover Technical Terrain. Pipeline, as the trail is dubbed, is worth every centimetre of altitude gained. That is if you have the confidence to pin your ears back and enjoy the drop. A final loop, from the central water complex on the Eselfontein farm, takes in more scintillating singletracks including some of the oldest purpose-built mountain biking trails in the country. Then it is back through the orchards, to Ceres, to conclude the scene-setter for what will be an Absa Cape Epic where distance is traded for difficulty.

Technical Terrain

Pipeline

With so many fantastic, and least we neglect to mention, technical trails on the Eselfontein Farm narrowing it down was not easy. Pipeline is long, at 3 kilometres, and challenging for much of that distance. Rocks jut haphazardly from the hard-baked clay surface, requiring absolute concentration, while the sweeping bends necessitate that you carry speed at all times to avoid being caught flat.

Pipeline, as the trail is dubbed, is worth every centimetre of altitude gained. That is if you have the confidence to pin your ears back and enjoy the ride.

Go to article: Event Guide Chapter 4Go to article: Absa Home LoansGo to article: Premier MessageGo to article: All Systems GoGo to article: Who to Watch: MenGo to article: Who to Watch: WomenGo to article: Swiss EpicGo to article: Absa QhubekaGo to article: Andorra MTB ClassicGo to article: Cymru MTB ClassicGo to article: Absa Relationship BankingGo to article: Epic Series Down UnderGo to article: Absa Qhubeka AuctionGo to article: Watch LiveGo to article: Sponsor Thank YouGo to article: Event Guide Chapter 3Go to article: Exxaro ForewordGo to article: WoolworthsGo to article: Exxaro RaceGo to article: Land RoverGo to article: Absa African JerseyGo to article: Dimension Data ForewordGo to article: Dimension Data Masters CategoryGo to article: Mitas TyresGo to article: Virgin Active Mixed CategoryGo to article: Tsogo SunGo to article: Epic Legend StatusGo to article: Grand Masters CategoryGo to article: Val de VieGo to article: Next ChapterGo to article: Event Guide Chapter 2Go to article: Absa ForewordGo to article: Dimension DataGo to article: The Karl Platt StoryGo to article: Epic FactsGo to article: ExxaroGo to article: Epic LegacyGo to article: USN Fuelling Your UltimateGo to article: 3 of the BestGo to article: USN Recommended ProductsGo to article: Event Guide Chapter 1Go to article: Founder's WelcomeGo to article: Absa Corporate and Investment BankingGo to article: Mayor's WelcomeGo to article: Route OverviewGo to article: Prologue: Sunday 17/10/2021Go to article: Cape TownGo to article: Stage 1: Monday 18/10/2021Go to article: Ceres Go to article: Stage 2: Tuesday 19/10/2021Go to article: TulbaghGo to article: Stage 3: Wednesday 20/10/2021Go to article: Absa Vehicle and Asset FinanceGo to article: Stage 4: Thursday 21/10/2021Go to article: WellingtonGo to article: Stage 5: Friday 22/10/2021Go to article: Stage 6: Saturday 23/10/2021Go to article: PaarlGo to article: Stage 7: Sunday 24/10/2021Go to article: Annika LangvadGo to article: Blazing TrailsGo to article: Epic Series