Tented Accommodation

The standard team entry includes tented accommodation in each Absa Cape Epic race village for seven nights (i.e. Sunday to Saturday night, inclusive). Each rider will have access to:

• One two-person tent per rider (this will comfortably fit the rider and his/her rider bag)
• One comfortable mattress, covered in plastic NB: please keep the plastic on the mattress
• One mattress cover
• Note: accommodation is NOT included before the first day of racing (Prologue), nor after the Grand Finale, however pre and post race accommodation packages can be purchased.

Merchandise

Each rider will receive:

• Absa Cape Epic Columbia® jacket
• Absa Cape Epic rider bag
• Absa Cape Epic Buff®

Each official finisher will also receive:

• Absa Cape Epic finisher's medal
• Absa Cape Epic Columbia® finisher's t-shirt (only given to official finishers)
• Woolworths picnic lunch to enjoy with your supporters at the Grand Finale day

Luggage Transport

Each rider’s Absa Cape Epic rider bag is transported between Race Villages. Riders need to make arrangements for transportation from the location of the first day’s riding to the first Race Village, unless they have purchased an upgraded package or optional extras that cover this transport.

Riders can check in a bike box or bag at registration in Cape Town. These bike boxes and bags will be securely stored for the duration of the event and available at the Grand Finale.

At Grand Finale all luggage must be collected by 16:00, including the luggage checked in for storage before the race.

Note: Riders who haven't purchased accommodation packages or a premium upgrade before the event need to make transport arrangements to get from the Prologue to the first Race Village.

Bike Wash and Security

At the finish line of each stage bikes are taken from riders by the Bike Wash crew. Bikes are washed and transferred to the secure bike park. Bio-degradable cleaning agents keep the bikes clean and shining throughout the race.

The Bike Wash crew are specially trained to operate the high pressure hoses used for bike cleaning and do not spray directly into the bike's bearings or seals.

Once cleaned the bikes are stored in a 24-hour manned security bike park in rider number sequence. Only riders are allowed access to the bike park and will be responsible for collecting their own bikes should they require maintenance or repair. While the bike parks are extremely secure, they are generally uncovered, so bikes are not protected from rain.

Note: Only riders are allowed access to the bike park. No other person will be allowed to retrieve a rider's bike, even if a bike service package has been purchased.

The Strip Stop and Woolworths Chute Bag

The Absa Cape Epic and Woolworths offer a handy service for riders. This service is simple: riders can discard any unwanted kit (leg warmers, arm warmers, gloves, riding jackets etc.) at the start chute and at Water Point 1 of each stage, so that they don’t have to carry it for the remainder of the stage. Ideal for cold mornings that turn into baking middays. Each rider will receive a WW Chute Bag at registration day to use during the event.

How it works:

• Riders can hand in any unwanted kit at the chute and at the Strip Stop situated at Water Point 1 of each stage.
• Riders must deposit the items in their WW Chute Bag in the container at the side of the chute and in the bag that will be provided to them at Water Point 1. Riders must seal it and clearly mark it with their team’s race number.
• One bag per team is permitted at the Water Point 1 Strip Stop per stage.
• WW Chute Bags and Strip Stop bags will be transported back to the Race Village and can be collected in the WW Recovery Zone once you finish that day. 

If you’re racing a snake and every second is precious, you’re more than welcome to provide your own bag at Water Point 1, provided you carry it with you from the start. However, they must be sealable and clearly pre-labelled with your team race number. Please note that we can take no responsibility for any items that are not placed in clearly labeled, sealed bags. 

The Strip Stop promises to take good care of your kit, however the service is used at rider’s own risk.

Note: Any uncollected items at the end of the event will be donated to charity.

Medical Service

Mediclinic, a leading provider of professional medical support at major sporting events, has been involved with the Absa Cape Epic since the race's inception.

Services provided:

• An emergency medicine specialist heads a team of seven medical doctors, seven registered nurses, 12 medics and 34 marshals.
• A fully-equipped field hospital, situated in the race village, is operational before and after each day's riding for wound treatment, injuries, etc. Emergency services are available round the clock.
• Mobile medical support, comprising several 4x4 ambulances each manned by a doctor and a registered nurse, is positioned near refreshment stations en route.
• Rapid evacuation to nearby medical facilities in emergencies is beyond the scope of the field hospital.
• All riders' detailed medical information on riders is available to doctors, nurses and medics instantly, allowing medics to make informed clinical decisions.

Basic services are free, however, medication for pre-existing chronic illnesses and ailments will be charged at cost. Consumables for repeated daily strapping of repetitive stress related injuries will be available at cost throughout the race. Riders that require daily strapping are welcome to bring their own consumables (rigid strapping tape).

Food and Nutrition

The Rider Dining Marquee in the Race Village provides breakfasts and dinners for each and every rider, starting with dinner on Sunday night after the Prologue and ending with breakfast on Sunday before the Grand Finale. A wide selection of food is served buffet-style at each meal. The Absa Cape Epic caterers are certified Halaal, and vegetarian options will be provided for riders who have indicated this preference before the race. Water is provided in the race village as well as during dinner in the dining marquee. All other beverages (alcoholic and soft) can be purchased from the bars in the Castle Free Chill Zone, as well as outside the dining marquee.

• Breakfast (from 5am to 7am) includes cereals and porridge, hot options, fresh fruit, tea and coffee, bread and spreads. Riders will be able to make their own sandwiches for the day's stage.
• Dinner (from 6pm to 7pm) includes salads, carbohydrates, a red and a white meat option, cooked vegetables, dessert and fresh fruit. 
• The Castle Free Chill Zone has a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages on sale throughout the day.
• On the Route there will be up to three full service water points and one hydro water point on the route each day, depending on the length of the stage. Filtered water is chilled in refrigeration trucks so that no matter the air temperatures riders will have cool water and energy drinks at each water point. An example of the nutrition that will be available at the water points is: 

Water Points

Full service water points include: 
Sweets, protein/cereal bar, fresh fruit, marmite or Cheese sandwiches, fresh fruit or mini muffin, fruit cake or dates, baby potatoes and savoury snack e.g. rice crackers, pretzels
(Courtesy of Woolworths)

Hydro water points include:
Limited non-perishables, USN bars, USN drink, coke and water

Please note: there will only be one full service water point and no hydro water point on Stage 5 (Time Trial)

Please see the 2018 water point schedule alongside for your preparation.

Post Race Nutrition 

After riding each day Woolworths greets every rider on the finish line with a complimentary hamper of nutritious Woolworths food to start the recovery process. The race finish area is typically in the centre of each stage town or on large sports fields. Food stalls will be operating in the finish areas from which riders and supporters can buy take-away food should they wish to. Riders are responsible for their own nutrition between race finish and the evening meal provided in the Race Village. 

Example of recovery meal: 

• Sandwich/Wrap/Pasta Salad
• Dairy drink
• Fruit
• Protein snack
• Additional snack e.g. nuts

Example of top-up meal:

• Hot or cold meal
• Protein drink 
• (Courtesy of Woolworths)