With days to go to the start of the 19th edition of the Absa Cape Epic (ACE), Africa’s Untamed Mountain Biking Race, we speak to Remofilwe Moeketsi and Beauty Buhle Nontobeko Ngobese about their experiences while participating in two of the world’s most gruelling mountain bike races: the Absa Cape Epic and the Spar Swiss Epic.
The Absa Cape Epic is an annual eight-day mountain bike stage race held in South Africa, covering over 700 kilometres and requiring participants to climb more than 15 000 meters. The Spar Swiss Epic, held in Switzerland, is a five-day race covering over 300 kilometres with more than 12 000 meters of climbing. Both races attract elite athletes and amateurs alike, and require riders to have exceptional fitness and technical skills.
Beauty and Remo share their insights as one of the first black female South African teams to have completed both these races for Team Absa, offering a glimpse into the world of high-level mountain biking.
Tell us how you found out you were selected as part of the Absa #SheUntamed team to represent South Africa at the 2022 Spar Swiss Epic?
Beauty: It was one of the most special moments of my life.
The Absa team invited us to join them for what I thought was a celebration event after we successfully completed the 2022 Absa Cape Epic and next minute, the announcement was made that we will be going to the Spar Swiss Epic in August 2022. We were so surprised and overwhelmed with emotions. It was really a dream come true. The Spar Swiss Epic has been one of the races on our “bike-it” list.
Remo: After crossing the finish line at the 2022 Absa Cape Epic (after what was the most challenging thing that I have ever done), we were invited to share our experience of the week… then BOOM! We were told that Absa and the Epic Series were giving us an opportunity to experience the Spar Swiss Epic – moving from Table Mountain to the Alps.
How did training for the Spar Swiss Epic differ from the Absa Cape Epic?
Remo: Lots and lots of elevation and technical descent – although nothing could have prepared me for what came at the Alps. There is nothing like the Swiss descent in SA – it is out of this world.
Beauty: A big part of the preparation was the support from family, friends and coaches. I attended more MTB skills sessions to assist in improving my bike-handling skills by finding balance and flow on the trails, and ultimately building up the confidence to attempt more technical terrain, obstacles, downhills and climbs.
On weekends, I did long training rides where I explored different MTB trails and climbing terrains.
I did the bulk of my training in Johannesburg, which is about 1 600 meters above sea level where the Spar Swiss Epic features the highest peaks in Western Europe. The exciting adventure in Spar Swiss Epic is the breath-taking climbs with trails ascending to about 2 500+ meters above sea level. We were definitely in for an unimaginable treat.
What was your experience with the differences in culture and inclusivity of women?
Beauty: The trip to Switzerland was the first international trip for me off the continent. Travelling abroad was really a wonderful and memorable experience. I enjoyed every moment. I was constantly exposed to something new – new people, new ways of life, new languages, new realities and more. Switzerland, in my view, is a beautiful paradise with breath-taking natural views, fantastic mountain scenery, scenic valleys and gorgeous alpine lakes.
It was great to see women participation picking up at mountain bike stage racing – more and more women are taking on the sport. Women inclusion ranged from female UCI riders to amateur riders, women of all ages and abilities, and the ability to test their endurance in the race. Seeing a few South African women flying the Mzansi flag high at the Spar Swiss Epic was quite special.
Remo: Culture-wise, it seems everyone has a bicycle, everyone cycles, young and old. The inclusivity of women is unfortunately a universal challenge. There were a few women participants, but it was encouraging to see all the global pockets of initiatives that are running to improve women participation – our very own Absa #SheUntamed and Matsimela Ladies Clinic, the Abundance Project and Shred Girls, to name a few.
What are the main differences between the two races?
Remo: For me, the Absa Cape Epic is a chainsaw, constant work up and down and unpredictable. At the Spar Swiss Epic, the climbs are long, very long, and very steep, but we could pace ourselves. The descent is something else – very technical and very steep.
Beauty: The Absa Cape Epic is tough… by far the toughest multiple-stage race that I have done.
The Spar Swiss Epic is five days and relatively short in distance compared to the eight days at the Absa Cape Epic, however, the Spar Swiss Alps guarantees plenty of climbing to test the climbing legs. There are really amazing single-track descents over rugged natural trails, which were really the highlight for me. The Spar Swiss Epic was really a unique test of endurance, for which I am beyond grateful! The Absa Cape Epic is the pinnacle event; the hardest eight-stage race, which is almost double the distance of the Spar Swiss Epic. It really is a race like no other.
Any unexpected obstacles that you were not prepared for, that you wish you knew?
Beauty: Stage 2 took us from Arosa to Laax, a 79km marathon day with 2 600 meters of climbing and 3 150 meters of descent. A highlight for me was the 8km-long Flowline trail; so rocky and fun to test the bike-handling training. We had mechanical problems, but through teamwork, we got through it and made it to Laax! The Spar Swiss Epic definitely gave new meaning to flowline.
Stage 4, the Queen Stage was the longest stage in the history of the Spar Swiss Epic. From the gun/start, it was overcast and misty conditions with cold rain. The trails were muddy and slippery and required concentration. Stage 4, for me, was easily the hardest day on the bike. The climbs were never-ending. With the mist covering the route and the scenery, we had quite a number of compulsory portage areas and it kept getting colder and colder. The flat sections along the river were beautiful and tough as we used them to pace us closer to the finish. The highlight of the stage was the long road tunnel, which was quite cool to cycle through.
Remo: The technical descents and the degree of how steep they are. The video that I watched while doing research gave an idea, but I did not think it was to the degree they are. The sun also sets late – one must discipline yourself to go to sleep early. Due to the sun setting so late, supper is served early, and by 22:00, hunger strikes again.
Both races test your endurance. Which race did you find more challenging and the most rewarding?
Beauty: The Absa Cape Epic! The climbs are tough and endless but there is something so special about surmounting them. You learn a little bit more about yourself and appreciate your riding partner that much more. There are lots of single tracks over rugged natural trails, which are magical, but yet so challenging. The tough part is taking it all in while chasing for stage cut-off time. I cannot explain to you the joy and humbling experience of making it back to the finish line after every stage, as nothing is guaranteed when you are out there.
The most rewarding for me, besides the beautiful trails, is really the camaraderie with fellow riders, rooting each other on, looking out for each other, a smile, a joke or a gentle push, during the toughest moments.
Remo: Both races are challenging and rewarding in their own right, but my goodness, every day at Spar Swiss Epic deserved a medal!
What makes the Epic Series an unforgettable experience?
Remo: You test your physical, mental and emotional ability to the maximum, coming out victorious changes your life, how you perceive challenges, the courage that you get and realising that there is so much in the world and that you are only a small part of it, but you still matter.
Beauty: Cycling/MTB for me has always been about adventure (exploring and enjoying South Africa’s toughest terrain), endurance and community (meeting, learning and working with people from all walks of life in the cycling community and finding a way to give back). The Epic Series brings it all together and in the same breath inspires me to dream bigger and be in the continuous quest to challenge myself that much more. Exploring the seemingly endless, magical trails and conquering the stages of the race is truly an unforgettable experience!
What are your goals for 2023 and beyond?
Remo: Helping my partner to get her first Absa Cape Epic, conquering my third Absa Cape Epic, and becoming an Epic Series Legend with one more Spic Series event. I am most passionate about making THE Absa #SheUntamed Programme a global success.
Beauty: Looking forward to lining up for 2023 Absa Cape Epic through the Absa #SheUntamed initiative. This year will be special for me as I will be teaming up with Ricci-Lee Brookstone, who is passionate about cycling and will be doing Absa Cape Epic for the first time. We are from different cultures, but share the same love and drive for the sport.