Following Gareth McKee’s updates from Stage 4 of the Absa Cape Epic, teammate Johnny McRoberts takes over reporting duties for  stages 5-7.

Stage 5: Queen Stage. 98km, 2850m Climbing. 4k Rolling Start.

The day began with grey skies and cooler temperatures.  Faces were showing signs of fatigue from early starts, forced eating, and tired legs.  We knew this stage, with its significant climbing, would be tough.

We got a good start and joined the usual group that had formed earlier in the week.  We’d made some Latvian friends who had a similar pace and strategy; having a bit of craic and taking the odd picture along the way added to the miles.  It was an interesting start to the stage involving culverts in the road and pitch-black tunnels, which transitioned us into familiar vineyards and up into the hills.  I found this terrain very enjoyable.  The trails were forest-based, with terrain and dirt similar to home; less hard-packed and baked than what we had experienced earlier in the week.

Two significant climbs took us to the stage’s water points.  Gareth was showing signs of fatigue, dropping back a few times.  With tight switchback forest climbing and large groups, it was hard to keep track, but I noticed him falling behind.  I stopped and waited, and we continued, but again, he started to drift off the wheel.  I wasn’t sure if it was fatigue from earlier in the week or if something else was developing.  Before the next water point was another climb.  We had dropped off the groups and were now riding alone.  I suggested we stop to regroup when he indicated he was having chest issues.  We had 10km to the next stop, which had medical facilities, and it flet like the longest 10km of the race.  I pushed him as much as I could, urging him to make it there.  When we arrived we went straight to the medical tent and they acted immediately.  It was unbelievable how quickly they got him settled, wiring him up to a monitor.  There was concern about a heart arrhythmia.  We stayed there for about 15 minutes, during which time he thankfully seemed to stabilize.  However, to be safe, they wanted him to stop and transfer by ambulance to the race venue medical.  They were relieved that the issue had settled and he didn’t require hospitalization, but they wanted to be sure.  I asked him to confirm he was happy with their decision, knowing this meant withdrawal from the race. He was understandably reluctant, but respecting the medical team’s concerns he agreed.  Disappointed, we both knew it was the right decision.  They then advised me to continue the stage.

I put on a jacket as it was freezing, having been raining for some time.  In the midst of our drama, we had passed Zach Carlton, Alex Wild’s teammate from CycleSport.  Zach had walked 10km with a broken wheel to the stop.  We chatted and I explained my situation, so we decided to ride together, as we were both now solo riders.  With the majority of the climbing still to come and another 40km, it would have been a lonely day, especially in the rain so we were both thankful of the company.  I waited for him to fix his wheel, and then we set off to complete the stage, chatting and having good conversations.  He was an amazing guy.  Having met Alex earlier in the week, and listening to their daily podcast with Jonathan from TrainerRoad, it felt fitting to ride with Zach.  We ascended the “Neck” climb, the biggest of the day.  A monster at 14% average gradient for 8km.  I enjoyed it, though I struggled to keep up with Zach, who was on a 38T and stuck in 38 at the back.  Overall, it was a tough day – both mentally and physically.  We had suffered a blow, our General Classification (GC) race was over, and Gareth was out of the race.  But he had made the right decision, and we hoped tomorrow would bring better luck.

Stage 6: 88km, 2250m Climbing.

Race rules meant that Gareth was allowed to start again.  Although technically not part of the GC, he was classified in ‘Group M’, and I was to ride solo.  However, they allowed him to start in our normal group, which meant we could ride together.  I was designated an ‘IF’, “Individual Finisher,” or as the race termed it, a “Lonely Leopard”.  This situation allowed us to ride as a pair.

It was another hard day. A very compact area meant we traversed around the Lourensford Trail and wine area, up and down and zig-zagging many trails, looping back on ourselves multiple times.  Gareth had recovered well, taking full advantage of the after-stage sandwiches and microwave meals.  Some pizza and the buffet dinner were also enjoyed.  As Simon Curry would say, he could compete in the eating world championships!  It certainly worked.

Although not at race pace, Gareth felt more comfortable in the wet conditions and was again able to push on the descents, making up time on the flow trails.  I did my part, using my watts to push and assist on the climbs.  Something you never see anywhere else, yet I’m sure if anyone saw the live footage, it’s done from pro level to amateur, making this truly a unique team event and part of what makes it what it is.  You are in it together, as one fast rider means nothing; it’s what you do combined.  Towards the end, the weather worsened, making the last sections completely muddy. Again, Gareth excelled in this, while I struggled.  Some sections required side-saddling, clipped out and padding.  Again, something you didn’t realize how good you were at until you saw others, less familiar with mud.

But now, overall, after yesterday’s low, we finished and knew we had one more day in us.  My misfortunes at the start of the week and Gareth’s mid-week issues left us fresher than most, so ironically we were quite confident going into the last day. This being the strongest I had felt all week over the last three days.

Stage 7. 64km, 2100m.

(Shortened to 40km with 1000m climbing due to weather conditions.)

The shortening of the stage was a controversial decision, made just 10 minutes before the start.  The pros were completing their warm-up, and we were getting ready to go.  The overnight constant rain had made the terrain very wet.  The course, which I knew from the previous day, had the descent of “The Neck” climb removed due to the dangerous conditions.  We didn’t really know what lay ahead, but half the climbing and 40km meant it was more encouraging to roll the dice and see what was left in the legs.

It started fast, with some road leading onto the trail network.  The terrain was more fire road gravel type, requiring constant power output, averaging 20-30kph for some sections.  It suited us well.  Gareth was feeling the best he had all week.  We used the team dynamic and pushed on the flats and climbs, quickly joining a group ahead.  The next climb saw us mixing with the B Group who had started ahead of us on time.  We ascended, and then we were gone.  50kph downhills, speed bumps every 50m, not lifting out.  We were gone.

We continued to make up ground and caught the pro women’s field and then the front group.  We stayed there and used the guys to our advantage.  It turned out to be a cracking fast stage, good fun, and a rewarding way to finish the event.  We rolled over the line in the top 100 on the day.  We were not placed, but I ended up 20th on the stage of the Individual Finishing Group and 20th overall on GC for the week out of these Individual Finishers.

Overall, it was a great experience.  Across a week of racing over varying and challenging conditions, we dealt with whatever we encountered.  Keeping positive and assured that it was meant to be tough, and it lived up to the definition of what Epic truly is.  We lived like pros, being looked after by our Team Manager, who played a massive role in keeping everything running smoothly.  A special mention goes out to him, who gave up his busy time as a multi-business owner to share and be part of this experience.  Personally, I would not have been able to do this and put in the massive effort and hours to be ready for this without my wife’s full support.  And I mean full support; she arranged the whole trip and all the logistics of travel, motorhome, and everything in between.  A massive thanks to her for this, and for her patience.  Gareth would like to say the same to Ruth.
And again, for all the support from Banbridge CC and the wider community online on Strava, etc., that gave us encouragement.  Truly, this is achievable to anyone.  Hard work, support, and commitment pay off.

The Telefónica Tech sponsorship of the Club assisted us as a team, and Masquebici had our backs covered at the event; both bike and rider care. I never had a mechanical or stiff muscle all week, so they come highly recommended!

Johnny.