EPIC LEGENDS
The final Pioneer presentation offered a great time to look back at the winners from the week and those who gave it their best. It also showcased riders who have taken on the challenge of becoming an Epic Legend. These are riders who have completed all three epic races around the world: Swiss Epic, Cape Epic and The Pioneer. It’s a major investment to tackle all three, but the reward in experiences will be cashed in for years to come.
Two riders who have tackled all three epic events within 2019 are South Africans Denzyl O’Donoghue and Pieter du Preez from team Axis House Cycle 4 CANSA. After racing the Cape Epic in 2017 and 2018, the team committed to the full series in 2019, while also raising money for the Cancer Association of South Africa through the ride for CANSA program.
“Our purpose was not just to enjoy ourselves but more importantly to actively give back to society and chose to create awareness and raise funds for the CANSA foundation” said Denzyl on the team’s aims. Not only did the team successfully tackle all three events, they also raised around R300,000 (around $30,000) for the CANSA organisation. ‘Although Pieter and I now have a new chunk of “serious bling” each, the true legends are those battling the big “C”, we are proud to have been able to contribute towards a better world.’
Another team who have made it to Epic Legend status is the first Spanish Epic Legends of
Emma Anderson Cryns and Jose Antonio Pena Salcedo from team The Wheels. They raced the Swiss Epic in 2017 and ventured further afield to tackle the Cape Epic and Pioneer to become Epic Legends in 2019. For Emma, the three races offered up very different experiences:
“Swiss Epic in2017 was PURE MTB!” stated Emma. “Endless single tracks, landscapes, high mountains, forests, little villages... for me the most beautiful of all three. Demanding but fun.
A pity that there is no common camp, and they distribute us in hotels. Though, on the other hand you sleep super well! But the essence of being able to share the experience with other bikers is lost.”
“The Cape Epic in 2019 was luxury. In my life, in all the races I have done, none have treated me as well as this one,” Emma added. “You have to live it to feel it. A luxury camp, incredible food, facilities, every detail a biker needs. Feed zones where they clean your glasses, they offer you sun cream, they put oil on the chain, food and drink is never lacking... amazing! The bad part is the route, too much 4WD track and very few single tracks, for my taste.”
And thirdly, Emma told us about The Pioneer 2019. “Just EPIC. We have had bad luck in this edition, very bad weather, shortened stages, we have not been able to enjoy the authentic Pioneer. I think it is the most demanding of the three of them, very hard and eternal climbs. In a word, the most epic of the three.”