SPARK BIKE
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Guides
  • Rider’s View
  • News
  • Join the club
Search
  • Become an expert cyclist – join the club
  • Your Account
SPARK BIKE
  • Reviews
    • Bike Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Tech Focus
  • Guides
    • How To 101
    • Bike Log
    • Buyer’s Guides
    • Travel
  • News
    • Industry
    • New Gear
    • Races & Riders
  • Rider’s View
  • Info
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Videos

Video: Absa Cape Epic – Stage 3

  • Joel Meintjes
  • March 20, 2019
  • No comments
  • 2 minute read
Total
2
Shares
2
0
0

The Emerald Princess

No Absa Cape Epic sojourn in Elgin wouldn’t be complete without an assault on Groenlandberg. But in 2019 the famed emerald mountain, though the highest point of the route, does not earn the honour of the title of Queen Stage. It remains an unavoidable challenge however, drawing rider inexorably under its spell, and like Le Tour and Alpe d’Huez it is the undoubted iconic climb of the Absa Cape Epic. It does not stand alone in providing the challenge of Stage 3, the Nuweberg, South Hill and the Mac Daddy climbs add their weight too, bringing the total altitude gain to 2 800 meters for the day. In the last decade the Untamed African MTB Race has been over the famous mountain on seven occasions, including twice in consecutive days in 2011, a fact which riders will do well to remember while they are cursing the route team as sadists. The day kicks off with a near-immediate ascent of the Nuweberg and the first elite riders through the Dimension Data Hotspot will earn a cash prize for their efforts. Next riders will take on Groenlandberg herself, the highest point in the race, at 1 100 meters above sea level.  A white knuckle descent follows, then the stage’s Land Rover Technical Terrain, a dual track climb to Die Neck. Dropping down to the Elgin Valley floor a mix of rocky singletrack, concentration demanding dual track and two more infamous climbs await. There are riding rewards on offer too, following the last significant climb of the day the initially rocky but always thrilling Lebanon trails take riders back to the northern side of the N2 highway. Then the trail home follows the easiest possible route and includes flowing singletrack through cattle filled pastures, not a bad way to end the day with the second largest accumulated altitude gain in the 2019 Absa Cape Epic.

Total
2
Shares
Share 2
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Joel Meintjes

Joel's goal is to help you become an expert in the field of cycling. He has helped many riders decide on buying new bikes and coached a handful of young aspiring riders. He's been on the bike and on the roll since 2013, and has gained bucket's full of knowledge from his tinkering with bicycles.

Related Topics
  • Absa Cape Epic
  • Stage 3
Previous Article
  • Races & Riders

Absa Cape Epic: Anna and Annika Keep Their Perfect Record Intact

  • Joel Meintjes
  • March 19, 2019
View Post
Next Article
  • Races & Riders

Absa Cape Epic: Drama on Stage 3 Sees Yellow Jerseys Change Hands

  • Joel Meintjes
  • March 20, 2019
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Videos

Video: Absa Cape Epic – Grand Finale

  • Joel Meintjes
  • March 23, 2019
View Post
  • Videos

Video: Absa Cape Epic – Stage 6

  • Joel Meintjes
  • March 23, 2019
View Post
  • Videos

Video: Absa Cape Epic – Stage 5

  • Joel Meintjes
  • March 22, 2019
View Post
  • Videos

Video: Absa Cape Epic -Stage 4

  • Joel Meintjes
  • March 21, 2019
View Post
  • Videos

Video: 2019 Absa Cape Epic – Stage 2

  • Joel Meintjes
  • March 19, 2019
View Post
  • Videos

Video: 2019 Absa Cape Epic – Stage 1

  • Joel Meintjes
  • March 18, 2019
View Post
  • Videos

Video: 2019 Absa Cape Epic – Prologue

  • Joel Meintjes
  • March 17, 2019
View Post
  • Videos

2019 Silverback SESTA Pro Eagle Review || SPARK BIKE

  • Joel Meintjes
  • July 19, 2018

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

about
Get the Ride Pass
We have been creating expert cyclists since 2015. Join our club and support quality journalism. Try our Ride Pass for just R30 a month.
Sign Up
  • Become an expert cyclist – join the club
  • Your Account
  • Subscriber Agreement and Terms of Use
Latest Reviews

2020 Trek Supercaliber 9.9 AXS Review – Point. Shoot!

3:59 PM 29 Jul 2020

2020 Specialized Roubaix Sport Review – Heed the Call of the Pavé

8:52 PM 10 Apr 2020

2020 Trek Top Fuel 9.8 Review – The Icon Reborn

8:12 PM 21 Dec 2019

2020 Canyon Lux 7.0 SL Review – King of the XC Hill

9:27 AM 07 Dec 2019

Cannondale Scalpel-SI 3 Review – Lefty OCHO Rules

7:53 PM 13 Aug 2019
Spark.
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Creating expert bikers since 2015

Input your search keywords and press Enter.