The Absa Cape Epic’s route is one of life’s ever-changing constants. No two editions, in the race’s 19-year history, have been the same and that tradition holds true for the 2022 edition of the Untamed African MTB Race.
In 2022, the challenge begins at Lourensford Wine Estate on Monday, before traversing the Hottentots Holland Mountains to Elandskloof. After two stages of rugged riding on the trails of Greyton, the race heads towards the mountain biking mecca of Stellenbosch.
Altogether 657 km and 16 900 m of climbing after setting off from Lourensford, the Absa Cape Epic reaches Val de Vie Estate where winners will be crowned and spots in The Book of Legend will be claimed.
After the first stage with lots of intense climbing, riders will roll into a marathon stage 2, taking them to the Elandkloof area outside Greyton.
At 118 km, with 2 350 m of climbing, stage 2 could be the undoing of those who neglected to remain committed to their training regime over the Christmas season.
Stages 3 and 4 are loops of the Greyton area, with its raw mountain bike trails. Expect lots of dust, but with distances of 96 km and 74 km, these will be two of the easier days on the 2022 Cape Epic.
Riders will navigate from Greyton to Stellenbosch on Stage 5, which should be another punishing day, with 109 km and 2 400 m of climbing.
Stage 6 promises to be the most rewarding of all, with 76 km of Stellenbosch’s excellent single track mountain bike trails, although riders will earn their downhill fun, with 2 700 m of climbing once on the day.
As is tradition at the Cape Epic, its last stage will be shortest, a mere 68 km, with riders routing from Stellenbosch to the Val de Vie finish. Here the public is invited to join the festivities after the grande finale.
