Kloof cyclists aim for Epic race
Jonathan Cech and Ian Smith will be taking on the gruelling seven day, 718km mountain bike race, the Absa Cape Epic.
KLOOF residents Jonathan Cech (32) and Ian Smith (43) of Kloof, Durban will be teaming up for this year’s Absa Cape Epic as Team Dion Wired.
The 11th edition of the Absa Cape Epic will take place from 23 to 30 March which will see riders battle the natural elements of South Africa’s harsh mountain biking terrain for the coveted championship title and prize purse of R1.6 million. The legendary Untamed African mountain bike stage race will see riders complete 718km of intense riding with 14 850m of climbing, starting with the Prologue at Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville and finishing at the traditional Lourensford Wine Estate.
Both Jonathan and Ian will be participating in their first Absa Cape Epic this year. Jonathan, who is a designer by profession, said he decided to try his luck to receive one of the early bird entries. Ian said he received a jolt when he was called up and asked to be Jonathan’s cycling partner.
Jonathan and Ian train together four times a week. “Twice a week indoors at the Cadence Cycling Centre and at least one long ride every weekend, sometimes even four times a week,” said Ian.
Jonathan believes the most important ingredients to complete the Absa Cape Epic successfully are to train hard and to eat well. “There are so many vital ingredients. I’d say mental strength is the most important. If you’re mentally strong you will make the effort to put the necessary training in, you will be able to cope with the physical and emotional stress of the event, and you will be able to get on well with your partner – I hope,” added Ian.
Ian decided to participate in the Absa Cape Epic because it is seen as the ultimate mountain biking race. “If mountain biking is your passion, why not attempt the ultimate event? It’s really mostly about seeing if you can manage to complete this physically and mentally demanding event. It’s the challenge,” he said.
Jonathan said the race was on his bucket list of mountain biking events. He wanted to attempt the race and see how far he could push himself, and what he could learn about himself while pushing his body to the limit.
