Sometimes the right advice or motivation comes from unexpected places. It might not be a coach, a training plan, or a pro interview. It might be a voice note from a friend after a brutal race. A stray comment at the start line. A story shared over a cold Coke at the finish. Or something you stumbled across online — a blog post, a race recap, even a comment thread that made you stop and think. In ultra-endurance cycling, these stories stick — because they’re real, raw, and unf

“The Epic was a wonderful experience. I finished on my birthday, shared it with my brother-in-law, and helped turn an invisible battle into a visible journey.” From the heat of Paarl to the elation of crossing the finish line on his birthday, Jann’s first ABSA Cape Epic was more than a race. .. it was a journey of resilience, purpose, and unforgettable memories. Riding in honour of his late wife and supporting the Landi Prinsloo Foundation to raise mental health awareness, h

“Crossing the finish line, fist-bumping Dad—nothing beats that.” For Luke, taking on the ABSA Cape Epic wasn’t just about crossing the line—it was about transformation. From dropping over 10 kg, sticking to a tough training plan, to sharing the entire experience with his dad, Luke approached the world’s toughest MTB stage race with grit, humility, and purpose. This is Luke’s story—in his own words. About the Rider Luke isn’t just a rider; he and his dad, Tony, are the owners

“Finishing a Cape Epic with my son was special — it will always be at the top of my finishers list.” For many riders, the ABSA Cape Epic is the ultimate test of endurance, preparation, and partnership. For this rider, it became something even more meaningful — a chance to take on a monumental challenge alongside his son. In this Q&A, he reflects on what it took to finish one of the toughest stage races in the world, the lessons learned along the way, and what made this experi

"You can’t do it alone” Finishing the Cape Epic is no small feat; it demands months of preparation, commitment, and grit. For this experienced mountain biker, cyclocross and gravel racer, it was his first attempt at tackling the Cape Epic. Guided by the RIDEANDRACE coaching program, he followed a structured training plan, prepared smart, communicated well and showed up with a whole lot of heart. In this Q&A, he shares the highs, lows, and lessons from the race – in his own wo

"I wanted to show myself I could do it - it is the ultimate test. Every person who loves mountain biking should do the Cape Epic." - Cape Epic Finisher. Finishing the Cape Epic is no small feat; it demands months of preparation, commitment, and grit. This first-time Epic rider followed the RIDEANDRACE Cape Epic pre-built plan. With structured training, smart preparation, and a whole lot of determination, he crossed the finish line strong. In this Q&A, he shares the highs, low

Cycling is more than just a form of exercise; it's a passion that connects you with the outdoors, the community, and the thrill of the ride. But what happens when that spark fades? How do you get your cycling mojo back? Whether it's been weeks, months, or even years since you last pedalled, rediscovering your love for cycling can be a journey. Even the most passionate cyclists lose their spark sometimes - especially after big events or intense training blocks. If you’re feeli

Recounting the challenges faced, the terrains conquered, and the unforgettable memories forged at Munga Grit North West. The Munga Grit is a series of ultra-endurance mountain bike races that challenge participants to cover vast distances within a set time frame. For instance, the Munga Grit North West 2024 is a gruelling 450-500 km race starting and finishing in Die Krip located in Magaliesburg South Africa, which riders must complete in 50 hours. It's designed as a bridge t

If you are looking for a challenge that will test your endurance, skills and mental toughness, a multi-day mountain bike stage race might...

As we age, cycling isn't just about watts and distance — it's about riding with purpose, staying healthy, and enjoying the journey. A holistic approach helps you thrive on and off the bike. Here are seven tips to support a more sustainable and fulfilling cycling lifestyle - Tip 1: Ride with purpose... Set realistic and meaningful goals that reflect your motivation, riding history, current fitness, and available time. Your goals might be specific, like completing a certain eve

Defined by Age, Not Ability! If you’re over 30 and love to ride, you may already be considered a master cyclist  — whether you realize it or not. The term "master" might sound like it refers to elite skill, experience, or achievements. But in the world of cycling, it’s actually a simple age category. According to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), a master cyclist is any rider aged 30 or older who participates in events outside the elite or professional ranks. The UCI M

Ultra-distance cycling is a sport that challenges the physical and mental endurance of the riders. It involves cycling long distances, often across countries or continents, in a single stage or multiple stages. Ultra-distance cycling races can last from a few hours to several days and require the riders to deal with various factors such as weather, terrain, traffic, navigation, nutrition, hydration, sleep deprivation, and mechanical issues. One key aspect of ultra-distance cy

Ultra-distance cycling races are physically and mentally demanding events that require above-average endurance, stamina and skill. Resting during these races is essential for maintaining optimal performance, preventing injuries and avoiding fatigue. Some of the benefits are: Resting allows the muscles to recover from the stress and damage caused by prolonged exertion. This helps to prevent muscle cramps, soreness and inflammation, which can impair the cyclist's ability to ped

If you are reading this, you are probably one of those adventurous souls who love to challenge themselves with epic feats of endurance. You are unsatisfied with the usual weekend rides or even the occasional century. You want to go beyond what most people think is possible on a bike. You want to ride 1000km or more in a single event without external support, relying only on your strength, skills and resources. You want to experience the thrill of ultra-distance cycling.   But

If you love cycling and you are looking for a new challenge, you might want to consider ultra cycling. Ultra cycling is a form of long-distance cycling that involves riding for extended periods, often over multiple days, across varied terrain, sometimes in remote wilderness (with wildlife) areas and extreme weather conditions. Ultra-distance cycling races test the endurance, stamina and mental toughness of riders, who have to cover distances ranging from 200 km to over 7400 k

First, what is gravel? It is a sedimentary rock that consists of small pieces of rock fragments. Gravel can be natural or artificial, depending on how it is formed. Natural occurs when rock is eroded by water or wind over time. Artificial is produced by crushing larger rocks into smaller pieces for construction, road building, and landscaping. What is a gravel bike ride or race? It is a type of cycling that combines elements of road cycling, mountain biking and cyclo-cross. Y

Improving doesn’t have to be complicated! This blog post provides you with five simple tips that will help you improve your cycling performance. Follow these tips and you'll be on your way to reaching your cycling goals! Consistency Adaptability Progressive Overload Recover Fuel your body Move your body regularly every day or at least every other day. Consistency in training to me as a coach and athlete is exercising at least 3-6 times per week, which should be sport specific

Taking the time to assess what went wrong this season can provide ample opportunity to improve your chances for success in the season to come. This guide is based on personal experience, outlines possible scenario and how to fix it. Fatigue Did you burn out? Where you prone to excessive aches and pains? Did you get sick easily and too often? Remedy: First rest, and then start easy and slow. Purposely ceasing training for a few weeks will give your body and mind time to rest,