One rider, one ambitious challenge, a broken hand—and a determination to come back better prepared. Some riders enter the Cape Epic chasing a result. Others simply want to prove something to themselves. For this rider, it all started with someone saying it couldn't be done. What followed was a journey of determination, setbacks, resilience, and unfinished business. - "Someone told me it was impossible for me to be ready for the Epic... and I saw that as a challenge." - 1. Wha

Damon and Xander, racing as Team Double Dutch, are no strangers to endurance sport. From triathlons and marathon running to beach racing, they've spent years pushing their physical and mental limits. But 4Islands Epic presented a completely different challenge—their first multi-day mountain bike stage race together and an important stepping stone towards Cape Epic 2027. They arrived with one clear objective: gain valuable stage-racing experience and learn how to race as a tea

Most riders will tell you the Absa Cape Epic is one of the hardest things they've ever done. Like many on the start line, this rider isn't a professional athlete. He's a husband, father, Kiwi, and balances a demanding full-time career alongside his training. Yet he signed up for exactly that reason: "Doing a challenge few have done." What followed wasn't a smooth journey to the finish. A two-hour mechanical on Stage 1 contributed to dehydration and a medical withdrawal on Sta

Gravel Burn is more than a race — it’s an emotional, physical, and mental adventure like no other. From brutal climbs in the heat to struggling with sickness and logistics, every day tests riders in unexpected ways. In this Q&A, one rider shares their raw, unfiltered experience, from nearly quitting to sobbing with joy on the podium, and the lessons they learned along the way. “I nearly stopped — the heat, sickness, and fatigue were breaking me — but I just kept riding.” From

“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