The Year before Epic 2015 – 2017
We had our regular cycling group most of whom had completed the Epic where it was always a topic of discussion, when are you going to do the Epic? To be truthful it wasn’t a bucket list goal but always felt that I was up for the challenge if the opportunity arose. At the age of 58 I certainly felt that the time for Epic had passed. One day JP, a work colleague, asked if I was interested in doing Epic with him as he had been able to get an Epic entry from a friend. I immediately said yes and agreed to sponsor the entry.
This was June 2015 and Epic was March 2016. So, some serious training was required. We thought we had a good base and did Hermanus training rides on the black routes. I was not able to ride DR Evil (September) and JP rode in my place where he had a fall and injured his knee.
We raced Double Century (road 200 km) in November. We rode Wine2whales (November) where JP pulled out on day 2 saying that his knee was too sore. For race preparation we entered Attakwas (January 2016) and Tankwa (February 2016). These are traditional pre-Epic conditioning races. At the time of the Attakwas JP was nursing this same injury and decided not to ride.
We were committed to Tankwa which was our main Epic race preparation. We finished day one and I thought all was on track. JP did say he was struggling with his injury. On day 2 JP was taking a huge amount of pain killers and wanted to pull out before the start of the main climbing to the Marino Monster. At the second waterpoint just before the climbing started, he tried to contact backup but could not get hold of anyone. He then rode the first climb out of the valley, he seemed steady and I thought all was ok for him to carry on. At the third waterpoint below the Marino Monster, JP was not sure anymore. We discussed scenario’s but it was clear that if he pulled out now it was the end of our chance to race the Epic this year. Sadly JP decided to pull out as he was in too much pain. That was the end of our Epic chance in 2016. I continued to climb the Marino without stopping (I was pretty devastated). I finished the 3 days of Tankwa by myself.
A big problem for me was that I could not determine the extent of JPs pain and I had to rely on his assessment. His problem and treatment had been on and off since he rode Dr Evil which made it difficult to judge. I then postponed our Epic entry to the next year 2017. I was extremely disappointed but, in a way, relieved as I think we were under-prepared as individuals and as a team. I also felt that JP needed time to recover in his own time.
To keep the pressure off JP, I then said we would go our own ways and own training routines for the year and make a call in November 2016. I used the year to increase my experience and intensity. I entered the Cape Pioneer Trek in September 2016, a 7-day event. I wanted to experience racing for 7 days.
I was racing solo so could completely race my own race. My strategy was to finish the first 3 days and to then take it day by day. It is well known that the third day can be a downer day after which one builds up one strength again. This worked so well that I finished the last day very strong and having a lot of fun. On this last day, Andy (whom I had only met at the Pioneer) and I, found ourselves going hammer and tongs in through Chandelier having the best fun.
Andy: This was to be a defining moment, and we ended up chasing each other on scratchy narly tracks, we were wheeling each other naturally and really enjoyed riding together. Besides I had chatted to Scip a couple of days earlier and we both have an engineering background so conversation flowed freely.
The Pioneer was a hugely important event in my preparation. I was riding solo so could ride at my own pace. I learnt about nutrition, meeting other riders and pacing myself over 7 days. I also met Andy.
I was introduced to Gear Change by Shaun Sale. Shaun, Andy and Gear Change were all going to have a significant impact on my cycling in the future.
I was still riding my Giant. I traded my Giant in for a second-hand Specialized Epic Pro, thinking that I was upgrading. My first race on the bike was Dr Evil. I had problems with the gears (XT) and had to have them repaired. The decision to buy this bike was my worst decision ever. Cost me a lot of money to maintain (shocks and gear train). It was very twitchy to ride, and I was often thrown off. Luckily no long-term injury although I did end up going over the edge at Tokai with a severely bruised calf.
It was at the end of Pioneer in September that I called JP. JP had done little training and I felt after my Pioneer experience, if he hadn’t trained now, he would never be ready for the Epic. I think he felt he could train and be ready in 3 months. I didn’t think it was possible. We agreed to part ways and that I could take the entry.
I then asked Andy, whom I met at Pioneer and a 3 times Epic veteran, if he would be my partner. He had to ask his wife Janette (cap in hand) because any Epic commitment is extreme in time and preparation.
Andy: I needed to get a sports pass from my wife as she knew the kind of hours we put in to ride and finish the Epic.
By the end of December Andy, with Janette blessing, agreed to be my partner. I was overjoyed. Andy being of similar age, with Epic experience and similar riding styles, we immediately clicked.
We again entered Attakwas (January 2017). I realized just before Attakwas that my Specialized Epic Pro bike with 2x gearing was not the bike that would take me through the Epic.
Now I had the council of Andy and Gear Change when I decided on a new Yeti with SRAM 1×10/50. It was made easier as Andy was also riding a Yeti with the same setup and he spoke very highly of the bike. I had a professional bike fitment session at Gear Change during the week and picked up the new Yeti from Gear Change the day before leaving for the Attakwas on the Friday. Gear Change was recommended to me by Shaun at Pioneer. Gear Change have changed my complete cycling approach with a proper bike setup, right shoes, helmet, and braking. I realized all were wrong. I am still riding with the same setup today, many years later (2002). Never mind all the other advice that I have gained over the years.
Andy: This was a defining moment when after coffee Scip took the plunge and locked in a new Yeti ASR, now we were even better matched for the rides going forward.
Attakwas was hard racing, bike perfect and Andy strong. We communicated well, established some basic racing rules and also found that we raced comfortably together.
Our next race was Tankwa in February 2017. Again, key for Epic race preparation. Racing was tough and we again learnt more about each other and how to ride together. We again conquered the Marino without stopping which was a good measure of how strong we were. For this race I decided to upgrade up to the Meerendal luxury camp units in place of the tents. I must say this was really nice and comfortable.
Andy: Just to elaborate, the luxury of white linen sheets and a comfortable bed on Tankwa was a real treat, and it rained which made the accommodation even sweeter, thanks Scippy.
Prior to the Epic, Andy and I did lots of riding at midday in the heat to acclimatize. We also rode in strong winds and difficult weather conditions. I was preparing with 11 hour rides in the week mostly spread over 4 days. Andy was riding longer at 14 hours with more in the saddle time. Working and riding was a challenge for me and the 11 hours a week was all that I could really fit in.
Andy and I had a year of preparation (not together) with racing. The necessity to get proper conditioning, mental and physical, is critical preparation for the Epic.
It is not just about the training hours but race time and experiencing and preparing for similar conditions, is crucial.
Strava Stats:
2016: 6789 km, 344h54min, 106306m climbing, 112 rides
2017: 5231 km, 292h22min, 90280m climbing, 94 rides
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.