A few pics from the photographers following the Epic

River Crossing on Day 4

Here's a picture of us crossing a river on yesterdays stage (after my crash). I'm picking my way across holding my back, and Bruce is carrying both our bikes just behind me.

Today was a time trial and Bruce and I managed to put in a good ride.

Off to Oak Valley Elgin tomorrow 143 km.

Stu

(Picture courtesy of Epic web site)
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Stage 3 Tulbagh- Worster video

http://www.cape-epic.com/galleryviewvideo.php?vID=52

Cold and Wet Worcester Day 4

Cape Epic:
Yesterdays 125km stage from Tulagh to Worcester can only fully comprehended by observing the local farmers modes of transport along the route- all in 4x4 vehicles. After falling hard early in the stage, Bruce managed to nurse me to waterpoint 2 (75km), often carrying his and my bike through dry (and full) river beds. I had landed on my back when I fell and damaged my lower dorsal area, making it incredibly hard to pedal with my right leg. At waterpoint 2 I took some panado and pushed through to the finish.

Adding insult to injury, it rained (actually poured) down last night and we were all confined to our leaky tents.

This morning I'm feeling a lot better, a little tender (and damp). We only have a 30km to race today around the Worcester botanical gardens (which is generally dry Karoo-like terrain). It is a time trial so each team sets off individually. We start at 12:56 so I'm still in my damp tent.

Thanks for all the support.

Stu
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Humpty Dumpty getting put back together

Stu crashes on a tough 3rd day

Stu went down hard at about 30kms into todays 125km stage, a fynbos branch catching his bars. He's off to the doc. We lost a lot of time but that's the Epic, unpredictable.

Day 4 Breakfast

05:30 Breakfast. Can't wait for next week, I won't have breakfast before 08:00.

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Shot

Stage 2 tulbagh-some pretty valley-tulbagh

Today was a nice day of climbing and looping around a beautiful valley near The Koue Bokkeveld. The climbing was steep and the descends a bit rough but we both finished strong. We ride to Worster tomorrow a 125km stage and there's a possibility of rain too. Ok bed time. G'night

Hasta la vista Roberto

After todays 2nd stage Roberto Heras (right) - multiple stage winner of the Tour de France and winner of the Vuelta - Tour of Spain has retired from the Epic after struggling with a stomach bug.

Stage 1 Tulbagh - Hell - Tulbagh

Race Report:

What a rough day. Thanks Dr Evil. Today was the first 'real' stage of the Epic. Only 89km but as tough as hell. We ascended a total 2200m. Unfortunately what goes up must come down, and that's what happened to our mate Kevin Evans, he broke his collarbone on a treacherous decent.

The Epic is a strange race, one mans downfall can be another mans luck. Soon after we caught up with David George (Kevin's partner) I punctured. Davie helped fix it and sent me on my way with some of his spares. At about 20km to go Davie caught up with us and 'towed' us in the finish helping us maintain our top 30 position - thanks 'Lighty'.

Thanks to everyone for all the support.

Stu
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Today's action

From the Cape Epic site (thanks Guy)

Ube Fan

My man Rene cheering on my other man David. Tokai prologue - amazing support.

Thanks to everyone who came to watch and sent messages of encouragement.

Stu

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The Prologue

Team 1974 ride to 32nd place overall in the Prologue at Tokai.

Pictures by Rolie

On the stoep

Our home for 3 nights

Beautiful Tulbach

GC: 32nd - 1:15.20

Thanks to all our families and mates for the awesome support. We are on out way to Tulbach now. Our position is 32 over all - happy twins

Marian, Rob and Karl

High octave supporters - nice shoes Marian!

Our youngest fans

Lyra and James you guys rock. high 5 James

Dropping grams

Bruce Anderson (@Bruanderson) 2011/03/27 9:51 AM Stu makes Last minute tweaks dropping weight for the TT #CapeEpic - starting at 11:01am yfrog.com/h3wakhsj

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Epic Spectator Guide

Check out the spectator guide. There's a picture of Bruce and me from last years race.

Stu

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Epic registration @ V&A Waterfront

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On the wheel

Just registered at the V&A and taking a spin on the big wheel like tourists in our home town - Bru and Stu

New Epic Team

My man Rene Hasselbacher aka Hassie with Hassie jr. Nice pic Rene.

Stu

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Stu in bicycling mag

Fixies culture

Where to watch the Epic prologue

We will pass the watching point 3 times on the way out.

Team (twin) 1974

This is (not) me. Bruce arrived on Wednesday night from Johannesburg. I took him to Tokai forest this morning to check out the Prologue route.

Stu

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Sandbar Sundowners

Join us at The Sandbar in Camps Bay for a sundowner on Friday 25 March at 18:30. It would be great to see you before the Epic.

Stu & Bru
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Prologue Start Time change

Hi Stuart, Hi Bruce,
 

Thanks so much for understanding, your new prologue start time is

11:01:35. 

Cheers!


Kind Regards

Sarah Harrop

Absa Cape Epic


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Epic shopping

Jason -owner of Olympic Cycles and I stocking up. We have had awesome support from him and are looking forward to his epic Olympic support over the next week.

Off to face the music

Hard intense intervals and long miles are only
do-able with a good mix.
Thanks to these guys who got me through hours
of training.

I'm off to Cape Town this evening, 4 days to go
before the we face the music.

Bru

A quick burn on Table Mountain after work.

After work there is nothing nicer than riding the tracks on Table Mountain.

Stu

PS: just over 4 days until Epic 2011.

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Tokai Forest

This is Epic Prologue territory. I rode most of the accessible prologue route yesterday evening and again this morning. Great route really technical. If there is only one stage you ride in 2011 Epic then this is the one. Classic mountain biking.

Can't wait till Sunday.

Stu


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Table Mountain Lap

This is my 'backyard'. Table Mountain has some great jeep tracks that are all MTB friendly.

Stu

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Epic Prologue

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The Lioness

On Sunday morning we came across 2 Lioness' on the outskirts of the Lion and Rhino Park. We stopped to admire them and as typical Joburgers, we felt somehow secure with an electric fence between us and mortality. Bru

Argus Cycle Tour

Here's a picture of my group going up Boyes Drive, where Karl and Jo were watching. I'm in there somewhere. Thanks to everyone for their support along the route.

Stu

Some more pics from this mornings ride from Guy.
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Re-cycled

Did a bit of trail riding this morning with my neighbour, Guy at Teak Place in the Cradle. Nice and fast. Think I'll go back tomorrow. Bru
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Pre Argus Pedal

Gorgeous day in Cape Town before the Argus Cycle Tour.
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