Sent via the wires directly from the ABSA Cape Epic by Rens Rezelman (@rens29er). Rens is riding his 3rd ABSA Cape Epic in the Nguni Bulls Team with Andrew “Rocky” Koen. They’re team 120 if you’d like to follow them live via Tracker.
Pre-Stage Chatter
Ja, well no fine. The body can definitely confirm that it’s taking a beating! But I’m convinced that others must be in more pain so it’s up and at ‘em!
111km today. Like, seriously? And the profile looks like a nasty alligator smile… just rugged.
We know this year wouldn’t be easy. And it really isn’t. Summary so far: No free kilometres. None.
So let’s go and smash this one.
Photo by Gary Perkin/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS
Stage 4: 111km with 2 000m of climbing
Sometimes you get to stay in a hotel over a couple of days. The first few days the breakfast buffet is just the business! It’s omelettes and cappuccinos and fried mushrooms… until about the 4th morning. Then the novelty wears off a bit.
Much like the course today. There’s a hill… and you look heavenward and see the silhouette of some riders hundreds of metres above you. Big deal. The novelty of being shocked by massive climbs has left us. So we ground out the 2 000m without too much fuss.
The wind has died down a bit so that was a relief too.
We started quickly today as al the pro Outcast riders were at the front of our group. Rocky and I were right behind them and one of the Bulls riders (Simon Stiebjan) joked we me about our familiar team names. Sally Bigham asked for Rocky’s phone number (she’s also an Outcast rider now – don’t worry Amanda I let her know he is taken. Don’t mention it!)
Bikes were great. CycleLab has tweaked the Trek into a responsive beast and the technical climbs are a piece of cake. Tomorrow is the big day. 117km with 2 500m ascent (so that means about 4 500m on Strava) as we make our way to Wellington.
Come out if you can. We have been so fortunate to have support all along the route. The Nguni Bulls are becoming a popular brand… especially on those geometric jerseys! And we cracked a 33rd in the Masters’ today! Very stocked as the standard is world class. Just ask Fat Bob…
Thanks for the support!
Bulls bye.
