Tag Archives: Kevin Vermaak

ABSA Cape Epic 2014: an epic battle of scenic cycle challenges!

Cape Epic 2014Today the 11th ABSA Cape Epic gets off the ground, the world’s ‘premier mountain biking challenge’, according to the Weekend Argus. A total of 1200 riders will participate in the tough 718 km race, described on its Twitter Bio as ‘The Untamed African Mountain Bike Race’, covering a unique route each year.  It receives extensive local and international media coverage, attracting attention to the rugged beauty of the Winelands.

Cape Epic organiser Kevin Vermaak had the vision to create a cycle challenge from Knysna to Cape Town over eight days, beginning with 200 riders in 2004.   Today the race starts at Meerendal wine estate in Durbanville, and the journey takes the riders through Arabella Wines in Robertson, The Oaks in Greyton, Oak Valley wine estate in Elgin, and finishes off on 30 March at Lourensford  wine estate in Somerset West.   A tent village is set up for the riders at the end of each day.

The race has a total prize value of R1,7 million, and the prize for the fastest woman rider has been increased to R690000.  Famous participants today are Formula 1 world champion Alain Prost; former Springbok rugby captain John Smit and former Springboks Continue reading →

Cycle tourists to come rolling into the Cape!

Cycle tourismWhile Cape Town benefits from the annual Argus Cycle Tour held in March, it will soon see even more international cyclists on our roads, the Western Cape aiming to attract 100000 cycle tourists by 2023.  This is the bold plan of  Alan Winde, provincial Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, and Finance, reports the Cape Argus.

Minister Winde recently visited the Netherlands, and its Dutch Cycling Embassy, a network of cycling experts.  The country has a very low cyclist fatality rate, and the cycling embassy is willing to come to the party, the Minister announced.  ‘To assist, the Dutch Embassy has offered to host a workshop here. Talking points will include the social and economic impact of cycling. It will also help with an economic impact study on the benefits of cycling for the Western Cape‘.

Dave Bellairs, Director of the Argus Cycle Tour, supports the Minister’s Continue reading →