Beech ready for his 10th Epic

2013-02-15

Cyclist Craig Beech (40) is looking forward to riding his 10th Absa Cape Epic this year, having participated in all the events since its inception in 2004. Beech will be partnering with Izak du Plessis, who he has ridden with in both 2006 and 2007.  Hopefully, with Beech and Du Plessis having taken on the demanding race before, they will be able to understand how each other operate and successfully complete this year's Cape Epic.

The Absa Cape Epic will see 1 200 cyclists from around the globe complete the demanding eight day mountain bike adventure of 698km with 15 650m of climbing from Meerendal Wine Estate to Lourensford Wine Estate.

Beech has numerous achievements under his belt ranging from the Transalps in 2004, the Attekwas in 2007 and 2011, the Sani2C in 2010 and 10 days of unsupported riding from Stellenbosch to Kenton-on-Sea both in 2008 and 2012. Of course, along with many other races too, one of his biggest achievements must be having entered and finished the Absa Cape Epic all 9 times.

Beech, a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) conservationist whom works for Peace Parks Foundation (PPF), considers his biggest achievement off the bike being his involvement in conservation in Southern Africa. PPF and our many partners have consolidated a considerable amount of land to conservation and conservation related initiatives in the region, says Beech. With this job as well as training for the Cape Epic, commitments can be strained. Adds Beech: I’m fortunate in that I have very understanding friends and family and having some of those being a part of the riding and training. It needs to be a part of your lifestyle for it all to come together.

Having taken part in all the Absa Cape Epic races, Beech has many experiences, both good and bad. I think the best experience has to be the riding of routes and tracks (as sought out by Dr. Evil himself) which would normally not be open for public access, and coming to know the diverse and amazing landscapes on offer in these parts of the world. So much so that a flight in and out of Cape Town can never be the same again, as I find myself scouring the landscape from 10km above sea level for those trails ridden and scouting for some virgin trails still to be discovered. My worst part of the experience has to be the queues! I don’t do that very well. Fortunately there haven’t been many but when they do come, that truly makes for a very bad day on the bike.

Besides these experiences, the Absa Cape Epic has impacted Beech and changed his life tremendously. It has become a part of my annual routine, each year taking a break in the wet winters from disciplined riding and then spending a good part of 6 to 8 months of the year preparing for this one race. It has also resulted in annual leave at the end of the year taking on a different flavour in that whatever is planned needs to include a bike and many hours spent on it, says Beech. My ultimate highlight is in 2008 when I found out how fit I really was. It’s difficult to explain how amazing it is to ride an event where you’re really well trained and fit. It offers something unique and special to each day’s riding, and of course the time off the bike afterwards.

With too many memorable experiences to mention, Beech adds that the folks that he annually sees and has befriended have really been special. Something which the organisers have failed to bring into their stats, is that ­ and my mates and I chuckle about this all the time ­ my partner during the first Cape Epic, was the very first person ever to bail out of the Epic! 14km into the ride whilst still climbing out of Knysna, Alberto unceremoniously lifted his foot with the pedal still attached to show that he had twisted it out of the crank arm. Memorable, in that I think it resulted in him becoming one of the most meticulous bike mechanics I know. He adds that during the event, riders sense of humours fluctuate such as in the beginning of the race, many riders are chirping each other in good spirits, but towards the end of the race, Beech has witnessed intra-team and inter-team sense of humour failures resulting in fist feuds along the trails. Day 7 mostly sees the return of sense of humours, or you have those who have that glazed look in their eyes fighting off pain and weariness as they trudge the last miles home.

As every rider can attest, there has not been an Absa Cape Epic that has been easy. Beech mentions that the 2012 edition of the race was the toughest one yet for him. The reason being is that I was not in the best condition for it, and sadly my partner was one of those who picked up a stomach bug on the first night and he was unable to make it through the first day. So my limping along and spending copious amounts of time in the saddle resulted in very little time to mingle off the bike, resulting in a less than favourite Epic.

Beech sums up the Cape Epic in one word - determination. Undoubtedly, every rider needs that in order to cross that finish line. Its mighty fine to just cross that finish line and get my hands on that chilled Sauvignon Blanc, sip on it in the shade and ponder on the happenings of the last week’s activities, whilst watching the jubilation amongst the finishers and well-wishers.

His riding partners over the last nine years have included Alberto Puddu, Liz Ward, Tim Dixon and Izak du Plessis. He has completed four Absa Cape Epic’s with Ward and four with Du Plessis after this year’s race. The question many may ask Beech is why he would come back every year. With that he responds: It’s about the entire package, the training, the diet discipline (which is the biggest challenge) and the lead up to the event, and then whilst on the course, wondering what lies around the next corner. It’s not only about the bike, but about the landscape and surrounds too. 

Beech enjoys the technical aspects to mountain biking such as the climbs, descents and single track. He believes that once those are all thrown into the mix, he is able to revel in it and make up some ground. Says Beech: I am now on a stricter diet following the very sad and long ride of the 2012 edition ­ and must say, am already feeling the rewards. This diet is all about portions, about rations of food groups and basically not being hungry. I’m also not one for supplements and try to stay away from those, and will only make use of them when needed, like when goat is ones only option somewhere in Africa. Beech is also following a Coach driven training programme for the first time and with some interesting finds coming out of it, Beech is sure the rewards will be just as interesting come March.    

Beech’s advice to other participants is to simply ride, eat, sleep, repeat. With this year being a big race, one may want to set big goals. I have set some personal goals for myself at work, and then some personal life-chapter decisions looming. I also want to keep a higher level of fitness throughout the year and with that in mind, we¹ve planned a European riding trip during the early part of our winter.