The Absa Cape Epic. Will I do it again?

The question is being asked - will I?

On the evening of the Queen Stage, as I rested my head on Stefan’s shoulder, I said: “Baby, I won’t do this shit again.”

He held me and nodded but seemed unconvinced.

That day was my hardest day on a bike, ever - and I’ve had HARD days.

The next day, Stage 6, was even harder.

Nope, I thought. I’ll finish what I started but this is NOT fun.

I normally enjoy pain to a certain degree. I revel in the knowledge that I can endure, that I know I have it in me to conquer.

From Stage 3 already, my body felt like it slowly started to break down.

Early on in Stage 1, I had a crash.

My shirt and bibs were torn, my lower back and bum badly bruised and a slice was taken out of my leg. Elaine came over to help me up.

I needed a moment before I could take her hand and to be honest, I was surprised when I could get up.

Relieved, I realised nothing was broken. I was hurting but adrenaline took over and we finished the Stage - pretty strongly in my opinion.

As the days went on - general/ expected fatigue set in but also - my back continued to ache badly and it made the relentless climbs even tougher.

Walking was more painful than riding and I simply could not ride up those steep h̶̶i̶l̶l̶s̶ mountains. Elaine carried our team.

By Day 6, I was buggered. Giving up was never an option but holding on was becoming more difficult. There were many moments when my head felt like it was going to explode and I would fall off my bike - the effort required just to keep moving was taking its toll on me.

I moved so slowly that Elaine would ride her bike up a hill and walk back down to get mine - reaching where she had left hers while I struggled to keep up. She would then push BOTH of our bikes while I tried to compose myself.

Bits of single-track were a welcomed joy that made me forget the pain, momentarily. We pulled through, within the cut-off on the Queen Stage but I wasn’t sure how my body was going to move the next day.

All I could do was my best and I was determined to give it, so we set off on Stage 6 and it topped the previous day as my most challenging day on a bike. This word is so overused but I can think of no better explanation - Stage 6 was brutal.

We missed the cut-off. I was sad but I was not shattered as I felt we gave EVERYTHING that day.

I was proud and to be honest, I felt the cut-off given was unfair given the day's circumstances, so I chose pride in our effort and remained committed to seeing it through - still feeling that this would be my last rodeo at the Cape Epic and the honour of doing it as a #SheUntamed ambassador deserved nothing but my all.

Finding out that the time was later adjusted, putting us back in the game, gave me a greater respect for the event organisers. They recognised fair and honoured it.

We tackled Stage 7, enthusiastically as we were well and truly ready for it to be over at that point.

Crossing the finish line at the Grand Finale - the question entered my mind, will I put myself through this again?

I thought - probably not, but maybe…

Today - it's feeling more like the other way around. Maybe... probably. 🤭

I guess time will tell.

—-

My dream is to help other women like me - it’s never too late to start mountain biking. Your goal does not have to be the world’s toughest mountain bike race. The goal, I believe, should be taking part, getting involved - riding more, learning more.

Riding trails is for everyone and for the girls and women out there who do want to start riding things that scare them a little - fuzzing go for it.

I’m cheering for you, and it encourages me to want to get stronger. The support I’ve received from the SheUntamed community has touched my heart, and I hope to one day be able to pay it forward.

#YourStoryMatters #SheUntamed