2012 Cape Epic By Craig Kolesky

By Craig Kolesky.

Shooting the Cape Epic is always challenging, the weather, the missioning to get to good vantage points to shoot, as well as shooting 8 days straight in tough conditions all build up to an awesome event. This year we drove 2189km to shoot the 800km race, shot over 20 000 frames and drank about 80 Red Bulls to keep going.

The Absa Cape Epic takes place every year around the last week of March and the first week of April. The race is held over 8 days and includes a time-trial prologue. The route changes every year, and leads aspiring amateur and professional mountain bikers from around the world through approximately 800 kilometres of the unspoilt nature of the Western Cape and up approximately 15 000m of climbing over some of the most magnificent passes in South Africa.

Ride in Teams of Two
All riders must enter as a two-rider team. Teams register in one of four different categories that include Men, Ladies, Mixed and Masters (both riders must be 40 years or older on race day). The minimum age of participation is 18 on race day. The riders in a team must remain together at all times during the race and are expected to reach the finish line by 17h00 daily. At each stage, the winners of the day receive prizes and the leaders in the overall classification are awarded their leader jerseys.

New Route Every Year
The route of the Absa Cape Epic changes every year and riders will see wide open African plains, majestic mountains, deep ravines, indigenous forests, spectacular coastlines and flourishing vineyards.
The route is characterised by dusty and demanding gravel paths, strenuous rocky uphills, thrilling technical downhills, magnificent river crossings and stunning forested single tracks.

Based in Cape Town, Craig Kolesky specialises in action and sports photography. For more of his work, take a look at his website or blog.