Arrival in Cape Town
Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Your hotel is located in the heart of the V&A Waterfront within easy walking distance of the many shops, restaurants and attractions on offer here.
Enjoy the afternoon and evening at your own leisure, depending on your arrival time there are several options of things to do in the city.
Optional Activities (at an additional cost):
- Visit the lively V&A Waterfront where there are a variety of shops, markets, restaurants activities and attractions to enjoy
- Sunset Cruise in Table Bay
- Sunset views from Signal Hill
- Sunset Kayak Experience along Table Bay Coastline
- Sunset hike up Lions Head
Table Mountain - Table of the Cape (20 km, ascent 600m)
In 1572 classic Portuguese writer Luis de Camões characterised Table Mountain as the mythological giant, Adamastor. The petrified titan provides the opening 20 kilometres of the Absa Cape Epic, on the northern slopes of the famous mountain. The riding, on the roads and trails of Table Mountain National Park, is fast and technical at times. Returning riders will be well briefed on what to expect: steep gradients heading both up and downhill.
The Prologue features climbing from the off; through the campus and the UCT XC Track and onto the dual tracks of Table Mountain National Park. The first significant challenge is the Quarry Climb, with its 19% average gradient. After passing through Deer Park and summiting the climb to Dead Man's Tree, the asphalt of Tafelberg Road provides rolling respite before the white-knuckle descent of the day's Land Rover Technical Terrain: Plum Pudding. Rhodes Memorial's singletracks provide the day's final test of skills and reflexes.
Meerendal Wine Estate - Stairway to Heaven (27 km, ascent 750m)
Not since 2017 has the Absa Cape Epic Prologue unfolded at Meerendal Wine Estate, and in 2023 it returned to the estate and its world-class trails. Meerendal has hosted the Absa Cape Epic on eight previous occasions. The climbing from the off of the Untamed African Mountain Bike Race, all the way to the summit of the Dorstberg. Downhill skills will be required too, on trails traversing Fair Cape and Hoogekraal before a final climb up Stairway to Heaven leads back into Meerendal and the new singletracks on the estate’s lower slopes. Cape Town landmarks, Table Mountain and Robben Island, provide a sublime backdrop to what is sure to be thrilling riding.
Oak Valley - Captives of Chronos (47 km, ascent 875m)
Time, the old saying goes, waits for no man. And nowhere is that more relevant than in the race of truth: the battle against the clock within the boundaries of Oak Valley and Paul Cluver Estates. At 47 kilometres long, the mid-race time trial is more taxing than any which have preceded it in the history of the Absa Cape Epic. Designed to continue the relentless tests which set for the teams, it features 875 metres of climbing too, all of which comes in steep ramps rather than long drags. The course is packed with singletrack, making it a test of skill as well as fitness. Maintaining a rhythm to climb twisting trails – like Berg Adder – and then descend with the required aggression – down trails like Puff Adder, Vissie’s Magic and Sounds of Silence – will require absolute focus. It will be a day that, despite its composition as a small section of the overall route, will test from start to finish.
Lourensford - The Spear (78 km, ascent 2 300m)
The Prologue and Stage 1 of the 2022 race hinted at the spectacular mountain biking within the vast Lourensford Wine Estate. 2023 delved into the details. Exploring trails both old and new. Taking on sculpted icons like the Lourensford Ultimate and rugged remains of South Africa’s first foray into trail building, like the Blue Gum Dam singletrack. All 78 kilometres and 2 300 metres of climbing take place within the boundaries of the estate, and given the quality of the trails there is no compromising on the route, despite never crossing a fence. Rather, the riding is superb throughout.
Full Day at Leisure in Cape Town
Today you will enjoy a full day at leisure to relax and enjoy some down time or to take part in some of the other exciting activities on offer in and around Cape Town. We can also arrange more mountain biking for you on the Cape Peninsula if you would prefer to stay in the saddle!
Optional Activities (at an additional cost):
- Full day tour of the Cape Winelands
- Paragliding from Signal Hill or Lions Head
- Sky Diving
- Quad biking, sandboarding and/or bumper balls in the Atlantis sand dunes
- Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai or Simon’s Town
- Scenic helicopter flight
- Lions head guided hike (morning or sunset) or Table Mountain guided hike
- Robben Island Excursion - with option of a private guided tour with Christo Brand as the guide (Nelson Mandela's prison guard who became his friend)
- Cape Malay Cooking experience in the Bo Kaap
- If this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday a visit to a local Food Market (e.g. Oranjezicht City Farm or Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill)
- Constantia Winelands Zip and Sip Trip (half day Ziplining and Wine Tasting in the Constantia Valley) or half day wine tour in the Constantia Valley
- Snorkelling with Seals from Hout Bay
- Kayaking with Penguins from Simon's Town
- Waterbike Ocean Adventure from Simon's Town
- Surfing lesson in Muizenberg
- Full or half day safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve - only 2 hours from Cape Town
- .... and more! Let us know if you have something different in mind!
