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FAQ

PUBLIC LOTTERY REGISTRATION

Why a lottery system?
Since the first Cape Epic in 2004, the race has been completely sold out in record times. After Cape Epic 2005 was sold out in less than 5 hours, we introduced a public lottery system, which has worked very well since the 2006 Absa Cape Epic. Most of the start places are allocated via the public lottery process, but there are also entries available through:

• Charity Entries
• Reserved Volunteer Entries from the previous race
• Wildcard Entries
• Partners and Sponsors Entries
  

Why do you charge R50 to apply to ride?
This is simply to ensure that all applicants are serious and wish to take up their entry if chosen via our public lottery system.

When will the public lottery close?
Midnight on 30 June.

When will I know if my application to ride was successful?
You will receive an email at the address entered during your application to ride stating the outcome of your application by 15 July.

Must we apply to ride in our 2-person team?
No, you must apply to ride as an individual. If you are successful in your application, then you will have the chance to enter a team with your chosen team partner.

Can I apply to ride more than once?
No. During the apply to ride application you must supply a unique ID/Passport number, email address and full name.

Can both my partner and I apply to ride?
Yes, this will increase your chances of being successful in the lottery, since both of you stand a chance of winning an entry in the public lottery.

What if my partner and I are both successful in the apply to ride process?
You can discard one invitation and enter your team by using only 1 invitation to ride. You can only enter once. Once entered all other invitations will automatically be cancelled.

What if my lottery application is successful, but I then choose not to take up my invitation to enter?
You don't need to do anything; your invitation will be discarded and we will invite another rider that applied to ride. However, if you wish to change a team partner after taking up our invitation to enter, normal Rider Change Fees will apply.

GENERAL REGISTRATIONS

Do past participants get preference to register?
Riders who have completed their 6th Absa Cape Epic receive a guaranteed entry into 2012. Should riders not take up their guaranteed entry by the specified deadline the entry will be allocated to the lottery pool.

How do you determine a participant's age for category classification?
Strictly a participant's age on the first day of the race.

How do I ensure my team is on the Waiting List?
You should apply to ride through the public lottery. If you are unsuccessful in the public lottery you will automatically have the option to join the waiting list.

Do you only accept online entries?
Yes, via the public lottery process, although if invited into the race you can pay your team registration fee either by credit card or direct bank transfer.

Must I specify both team members at registration?
You apply to ride as an individual and if successful, you must register your team partner during the next phase of registration. Any changes after registration will incur a rider change fee.

Can we change a team member after registration?
Yes, this is the same as above - the change incurs a Rider Change Fee.

PREMIUM PACKAGE UPGRADE

I've not yet registered, can I buy a premium package entry?
No. The premium package is only offered as an upgrade option to teams that are registered.

What if I have already registered, and subsequently want to upgrade to the premium package?
The premium package upgrade is available in the online store in the rider zone.

The premium package seems a little expensive - how come?
Yes, it does seem an expensive fee to ride a mountain bike race, doesn't it? But remember that we have to pay daily rates to a host and a masseur for 10 days, and also provide their food and accommodation. We need to rent a Microbus, buy special insurance, and pay fuel for 10 days. The numbers start to add up. The cost to teams that do something similar privately is normally considerably more than our premium upgrades option.

PAYMENT

Must we pay the full team entry fee at registration?
You must pay the full team registration fee by 1 August, otherwise your invitation will automatically expire.

We will pay by direct bank transfer - can team members pay separately?
No, payment must be made in one amount as a team payment.

During registration, we chose to pay by direct bank transfer - is it too late to pay by credit card?
No, you can login to the rider zone and still pay by credit card.

Do you offer a credit card budget facility?
No.

WAITING LIST REGISTRATIONS

Can I register to be on the Waiting List if I did not apply for the lottery?
No, only unsuccessful lottery applicants will be invited to register on the Waiting List.

Do I have to register myself and my team partner on the Waiting List?
No, you only register yourself. You nominate your team partner once you have been invited into the race.

I've registered onto the Waiting List  - when do I find out if I can take part or not?
Wait-listed teams will be invited into the race as spaces become available. Registered teams may drop out for medical, logistical or other reasons.

How do I know my position on the waiting list?
You can check this when logged into the supporter zone.

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES do we compromise the integrity of our waiting list procedure.

RIDER CHANGE FEES

Why do you charge to change a team partner?
Each time a team member changes, we have to perform a significant amount of admin. As we get closer to the event, this admin gets even greater, and it is at a time when we are under even more pressure. The rider change fee also reduces black market trade in team start places.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME

Why do you charge volunteers to join your Volunteer Programme?
We only charge volunteers in the first year that they want to join the programme. Many of our volunteers are invited to return year after year because they enjoy the experience so much. We charge new volunteers with whom we have never worked as a measure of their commitment to the Absa Cape Epic.

Why don't you accept everyone who is willing to pay to join the Volunteer Programme?
We try to do this, but are limited by the available space in the race village and by the number of roles that can be performed by volunteers.

Will Volunteers know before the event what their responsibilities will be?
Yes, you will be fully briefed at the volunteer workshops in February. Many of our returning volunteers request to keep their same roles.

Is attendance at the volunteer workshops compulsory?
The workshops in Johannesburg and Cape Town are compulsory for South African volunteers. The final workshop on Friday before the race is 100% compulsory for all volunteers - no exceptions.

Can I give my reserved team start place for next year to someone else?
Yes, you will receive one reserved team start place that you can give to anyone you choose. Normal registration fees and registration deadlines apply.

Do we need to organise our own accommodation in Cape Town on Friday, and Gordon's Bay on Saturday before the start of stage 1?
Yes, but you can also book accommodation through us.

SPONSORSHIPS

We have a personal sponsor for our team - can we place some sponsor branding in the Race Village?
No. Personal Sponsor branding is limited to you riding in the cycling outfit of your sponsor.

ACCOMMODATION

Why don't you allow private camping in the race village?
We provide toilets and showers to service our riders, crew and volunteers in the race village. In some remote race village locations, there are no services besides those that we provide. Our services are sufficient to service registered riders, but if more (non-registered) people make use of these facilities the service will be negatively affected.

Where can private campers and mobile homes park if not in the race village?
You can buy our 'Mobile Home Race Support' optional extra and you can park your mobile home in the dedicated mobile home area of the race village and then you can make use of our race village facilities. If not, you must secure your own camping sites in local caravan parks and campsites. The tourism boards of the towns can provide this information to you.

Do you only allow mobile homes in the dedicated mobile home area of the race village?
Yes. No private tents and no caravans.

Will there be a mobile home area at Lourensford?
No.

Will you cater for vegetarians in the race village?
Yes, but you need to notify us when completing your registration form.

Will there be a facility to charge cell phones in the Race Village?
No, not officially.