The grandest of Grand Finales

2016-03-17

Where else can you be entertained by a fabulous live band, take part in a trail run, have your children entertained, enjoy great food, have a drink or two and get to watch the culmination of a world-class sports event … by helicopter if you so wish?

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All of that and more is on offer at the Absa Cape Epic Grand Finale at Meerendal Wine Estate on Sunday, March 20.

The Grand Finale is a spectacle in itself: the closing stage of the world’s premier mountain bike stage race is a sought after victory for every serious mountain biker across the world. It is also the culmination of eight incredibly tough days in which the participants have traversed some of the most rugged peaks and valleys of the Western Cape.

Besides watching world class athletes racing for victory down Meerendal’s legendary singletrack (the winners are expected at about 11am), spectators can enjoy a number of other offerings during the day:

*  The Liqui Fruit Vineyard Trail Runs: Trails runners can get some exercise of their own by taking part in the 6km or 11km trail running races, which are being held on great new routes through the spectacular local vineyards.

*   The Kids Zone and Pump Track: Children of all ages can have tons of fun in the Liqui-Fruit Kids Zone, where they can enjoy the games on offer, face painting and art. Supporters can safely leave kids under the age of 12 in the hands of our capable babysitters. They will have loads of entertainment to choose from: besides puzzles, lego, bubbles, hoola hoops, face painting, and more, there is a dress-up corner and colouring-in competition where pictures will be uploaded to our Facebook page. Many of the little ones will be inspired to emulate their heroes and we have just the forum for them to do so: there will be a kids’ bike fun race and a pump track to expend some energy. Mountain bikes will be provided at the pump track.

*  Liqui-Fruit Kids MTB Races: Another great activity for the children on the morning of the Grand Finale will be the Liqui-Fruit Kids MTB Races. There are different distances to accommodate all kids who are 12 and younger with 860m, 2,3km and 3,4km routes available. Just like their Epic heroes, they will finish their races under the finish arch, offering them a taste of what their mountain biking futures may hold.

*   Food and Refreshments: Relax and enjoy a drink in the shaded Castle Lite Chill Zone while watching the action live on television or the big screen. There will also be a range of food trucks in the Grand Finale race village at Meerendal, so all tastes will be accommodated: grab a bite before you settle down to enjoy the drama of the finishing line.

*  Entertainment: Be entertained by cover band the Professors in the Chill Zone to celebrate the closing of the 2016 event. Jo Popp from the City Bowl and Gavin Gold from Kommetjie make up this rocking cover duo. While Gavin rips the guitar solos and contributes soulful vocals and harmonies, Jo does the main vocals and loves interacting with the audience. In between live sets the dynamic duo DJ ensuring you don’t miss out on any of your favourites. 

*  Hospitality: 2016 has seen the introduction of the brand new Epic Lounge hospitality experience at the Grand Finale. This is a premium space created to allow you to experience the heart and soul of the Absa Cape Epic. Come and enjoy the festivities in the Epic Lounge as eight days of courage are celebrated while this amazing journey comes to a close for the 2016 participants. The package includes preferential parking, a local menu and complimentary bar as well as dedicated showers and toilets.

*  Epic Flights: Experience the 2016 Absa Cape Epic from an exclusive “bird’s eye view” in a helicopter tour. Soar over the picturesque Western Cape in South Africa with its beautiful mountains, passes, fields and valleys.  

See our website http://www.cape-epic.com for details on how to book for the Epic Loung or Epic Flights