Single Track Minded

Never mind the Ides of March, beware The Single Track – this was the warning that went out on Sunday – 15 March – as the world’s top mountain bike riders tackled the Absa Cape Epic Prologue. The Single Track, especially created for the stage race, is a steep and treacherous single track on Table Mountain that links the top of Plum Pudding with the Blockhouse. It was also the spot where many riders bit the dust.

“They were picking people out of the fynbos,” said Mike Nixon, a rider who successfully negotiated the rutted and dusty descent that riders dropped down after climbing up to Dead Man’s Tree on Tafelberg Road.

The Single Track – as it has been dubbed on the cycling and running timing app Strava – was one of the most popular observation spots on the 20km route.

“There were lots of spectators encouraging riders to go and I guess many went faster than they probably normally would,” said Nixon.

The encouraging spectators, the dust after a long dry summer, and the steep and loose, rutted drop-off even gave some of the more technically skilled riders pause for thought with defending champion Kristian Hynek from Team Topeak Ergon saying he had decided not to take risks because this is where he could lose the Epic.

Andy Wright, a previous finisher, said he had witnessed many spectacular crashes. However, he also witnessed the pros bombs down The Single Track, performances that are likely to break Strava.

 *This year’s race takes place from 15 to 22 March and will once again take 1 200 riders through some of the Western Cape’s most unspoilt territory. The race kicks off with the Prologue in Table Mountain National Park, starting from the University of Cape Town, and finishes eight days later at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville.

Meerendal will host the finish of the race and the Grand Finale celebrations for the first time. The Grand Finale will kick off with live entertainment, a farmer’s market, great food and wine and unmatched scenery. Vantage points will be accessible to the general public. Entrance is free.