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Team
Barloworld Subaru hosted a Cape Epic training camp in
preparation for the 2006 race. The training weekend was a
huge success and everyone found benefits out of it. The
weekend took place towards the end of March in the
Western Cape. We were based in Langebaan were 15 riders
assembled for 4 days of back to back riding in some of the
best trails that the west coast has to offer.
Friday evening
saw the riders assemble for a quick meet and greet in
preparation for the training weekend. The Teams present
were:
-
Barlowold
Subaru
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Team
Horns
-
Team
Astranauts
-
Team
Marcold
-
Team
Dodge
-
Team
Gung-Ho
-
Team
Datapro
-
1/2 Team
Weaseldo
What lay
ahead was four days of riding with a few really testing
days. It was also a good opportunity to compare training
notes and fire off some of the hundreds of questions that
all Cape Epic riders have before attempting such a daunting
race.
It was
interesting to note the different reasons for the riders coming
to the camp. Some riders traveled from Johannesburg to ride
with their Cape based team mates to get a feel for how the
training was progressing and to work out how they would be
riding together. Other Cape Town based riders wanted to get
out and do some long stretches on dirt roads and some teams
wanted to test some endurance and riding strategies. Road
based riders also found the weekend useful for getting some
critical dirt time in.
There was a
definite improvement in everyone's riding, team dynamics and
bike preparation by the end of the weekend. On the first day
it was evident how riders and teams were finding their
groove and working out how they should be riding together
and learning to understand how team mates were feeling
during the ride. Bike preparation issues were also
highlighted as there were many stops on the first day and
virtually none on the last day due to mechanical
failures. By
the end of the weekend new acquaintances had been made,
lessons learned, advice sought and given. With a month to go
to the start of the big day, the timing was perfect and everyone
would have benefited from the weekend. There is still time
to do the last bit of training and to get the final bike
upgrades done and settings changed. Check
out the pictures from the Cape
Epic Training Camp
West Coast
Epic Ride Weekend 18-21 March
Details
of the ride: 
Day
1: Koringberg area
102km
1400m ascent
The ride started off with flat 10km stretch down the railway
line and then turned towards Koringberg for 30km of rolling
dirt roads. At 40km the first climb was tackled and was
quite challenging due to the loose rocks and steep incline.
The descent on the other side was technical and steep and
required serious concentration to avoid losing control.
Water bottles were refilled in town and then it was off to
the second major climb of the day, a 5 km winding piece of
jeep track up to the top of Swartberg. The descent was
tricky and steep again but managed by all. After crossing
two farms the route led up the neck, a steep loose section
that was almost completely rideable but not conquered by
anyone. The switchback single track down the other side led
back into town for the last water stop before heading back
on the same inbound route. But with tired legs, a slight
headwind and heat of the day the return trip was not easy.
Day
2: Aurora area
142km
1740m ascent
This was the toughest day out of the 4 and a truly Cape Epic
type stage in terms of everything, scenery, road conditions,
climbing, distance and time. The pace for the day was
comfortable and obviously everyone was anticipating a long
day in the saddle. After 20km the group reached
Kapteinskloof a really picturesque pass through the
Piketberg mountains. There was a short climb at 40km and
then some rolling hills and flat sandy sections along small
farm roads, with the up coming Kapteinskop climb looming
above. Our destination was the radar station on top of
Kapteinskop, the 20km climb with 1000m vertical ascent
started at 70km into the ride. The 360 degree view at the
radar station was unforgettable and quite chilly at 1020 m
above sea level. The descent was long and fast taking us
into the town of Aurora for a stop at L'Aurore for some
cokes and water refills. The 35km back were tough on sandy
corrugated roads with a stiff headwind, everyone was glad to
get back after spending over 9 hours on the bikes.
Day
3: Langebaan – Paternoster
109km
1000m ascent
A slightly smaller group headed off with some teams resting
and others needing to get back to work. The ride out to
Paternoster via Vredenburg and some great farm roads through
rolling hills was fast and easy with a strong tail wind.
After a stop at Paternoster the tough return journey was tackled.
With an increasing strength south-easter the rolling dirt
roads back into Vredenburg seemed like mountains as riders
worked together save energy and keep a reasonable pace. With
the possibility of some windy days at the 2006 epic this was
actually ideal training.
Day4:
West Coast National Park
85km
800m ascent
The last day was a nice and relaxed ride generally speaking,
with more that half the route on tar it was a good
opportunity just to spin the legs and enjoy the scenery. It
was a sunrise start so there was a good opportunity to see
some game in the West Coast National Park. We saw some duiker, bontebok, kudu ostriches and tortoises. With some riders
having rested the day before and others still feeling good
even after 3 days of hard riding, there was some fun to be
had with hill top sprints and challenges. This ride was a
great way to end off an awesome 4 days of riding on the west
coast.
LIVE2RIDE
Epic training camps
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