Cape Epic Begins!

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Well, I'd hoped to post some stuff about last Sunday's terrific ride, but I wound up just a bit busy welcoming our baby boy into the family on Tuesday night. My lovely wife, Danielle, set a personal best (PB) for delivery; just 2.5 hours after dinner, Seneca Otis came out into the world. It was kinda like a cyclocross race: short and, uh, intense. He's a beautiful, mellow fellow, and yes, he does have rather strong legs! My priority is taking care of the family, but I think I should manage to get some posts in over the next few weeks while I'm on leave. Its a busy time indeed!


Ok, so now to the topic at hand. As I mentioned in a previous post, Tall Tree's David Stachon is in South Africa to race the Cape Epic mountain bike stage race. I'll receive an update on Dave's progress each day for the week, and post them here. 


Today the race launched with what sounds like a really interesting prologue. Read on for the copy I received. I'd say 15th in the Masters category (of 199!) is an awfully good start, and I expect Dave to handle the cumulative stress of the following stages really well. Go Dave!


For the second time in the Absa Cape Epic presented by adidas' history, riders participated in a prologue. A common feature in grand road cycling tours, the prologue in the Tokai Forest, part of Table Mountain National Park, allowed spectators to see teams race against the clock. The event saw 1 200 excited mountain bikers from 54 countries enjoy comfortable sunny weather with the first team starting their 8 day journey at 07h00. Regarded as the Eden of mountain biking in Cape Town, this revered network of trails in Tokai Forest represents all of what makes this sport so great, with tough climbs, fast descents and flowing single-track forming the 27km route. This showcase event was a race against the clock to decide the seeding in the field and which teams will wear the coveted zebra-striped leaders' jerseys at the start of Stage 1 in Saronsberg/Tulbagh.


David Stachon achieved the following results:

Stage Time	:	1:23.01,8
Stage Position	:	15. in Masters category (of 199) and 89. in general classification (of 600)
Overall Time	:	1:23.01,8
Overall Position	:	15. in Masters category and in 89. general classification