Maryke van Zyl may think that she’s bitten off more than she can chew, but with her expertise, and a good training program, she’ll no doubt be ready for what may be one of her greatest challenges yet. Here she advises others on how to fuel the body before, during and after the monumental task of eight days, 781km and 16300m of climbing.

Twenty five riders, current and past along with other mountain bike fans piled into the Pedal Studio in Putney, London, to meet and listen to the current Absa Cape Epic 2011 Champion and UCI world number 1, Sally Bigham, present the Absa Cape Epic 2012 Route launch.

Fifteen kids from the JAG Riders programme at Bergsig Primary in Bonteheuwel spent some one-on-one time with MTB racing champions, Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm. Platt and Sahm, who together make up the Bulls team, won the Absa Cape Epic in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

The new route was officially unveiled on Tuesday in Cape Town, but it was the official Route Launch Dinner in Johannesburg that had the sponsors, media and riders rubbing shoulders with the best riders in the world.

At a recent media function, founder Kevin Vermaak unveiled the new Absa Cape Epic logo which was designed by the Cape Town office of The Jupiter Drawing Room.

Comprising of 10 very unique and accomplished individuals, one of the exciting elements of the race, Team Absa 2012 will be working together (in pairs) in pursuit of a common goal: To finish the epic journey!

The new route of the ninth edition of the Absa Cape Epic, which takes place from 25 March to 1 April next year (2012), will be as exciting and challenging as previous years.

It’s not confirmed yet, but we may be seeing the rainbow stripes of the world champion jersey racing on the trails of the Western Cape in March 2012 at the Absa Cape Epic again. This time the multi-coloured shirt is on the shoulders of Jaroslav Kulhavy.

Cycle Lab will be hosting a 3 day riding clinic with three times Absa Cape Epic winners, Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm of Team Bulls. The duo won this prestigious race in 2007, 2009 & 2010 with Karl sporting a fourth win at the inaugural Absa Cape Epic event.

Ever had this same dream? You arrive home from yet another long training ride and your keys don’t fit the locks. Your partner opens the door and squints, trying to figure out why you look vaguely familiar. She’s cut her hair. The kids stand behind, all grown up. Another man calls from inside, “Who is it, honey?!”

Enjoyment and satisfaction. Where the Absa Cape Epic is concerned, there’s usually a big difference between the two. But 2012 route testers discovered both over the weekend, experiencing some of the most magical scenery the Western Cape has shown us yet...

Rider information evenings are hugely popular as race week nears the six months to go mark. In order to help riders prepare for the Absa Cape Epic, Rider Information Evenings were hosted in Cape Town and Johannesburg at the end of September.

Quite literally, the Absa Cape Epic’s official charity Big Tree Foundation has just laid the foundations for the next school to benefit from the charity. Since it's inception in 2004, the Absa Cape Epic has been committed to give back to the villages and towns that it touches.