South Africa Plays Host To 11th Annual Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike Race

Yesterday I posted a story about two South African adventure racers who are attempting to break the speed record on the Drakensberg Grand Traverse. While that attempt is still on going, it isn't the only major outdoor sporting event to watch in the country. The Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike Race is also underway, hosting some of the top riders from around the world in a stage race that is both fast and technically demanding.

The race got underway on Sunday and is eight days in length. It runs from Durbanville to Somerset West, covering some 718 km (446 miles) in the process. On top of that distance, the riders face a grueling 14,850 meters (48,720 ft) of total climbing over the course of the eight stages, which can zap the strength out of their legs with the daily grind.

At the moment, the race is led by Team Centurion Vaude which is made up of Markus Kaufmann and Jochen Kaess, both of Germany. They're followed by Team Meerendal Songo Specialized – Christoph Sauser (SUI) and Frantisek Rabon (CZE) in second place, and Team BMC Mountainbike Racing – Lukas Fluckinger (SUI) and Martin Fanger (SUI) in third. With five more stages yet to go, it remains anyones race however.

The video below are highlights from the first stage. It'll give you an idea of what the 1200 riders are experiencing out on the course. Looks like a great race in a great setting.

The World Cycle Race Returns For 2014!

Long distance cyclists who are still stinging from the fact that they missed out on the chance to ride in last year's World Cycle Race will be pleased to find out that the event will return in 2014. Our friends the Adventurists are bringing the WCR back for another go, while putting their own unique stamp on the race as well.

The World Cycle Race 2014 is scheduled to get underway on March 22 of next year. That is the Spring  Equinox and was specifically selected to allow riders plenty of time to prepare and because it means that daylight conditions won't be more favorable in one location over another. This is especially of concern this time out, because the race will get underway from three different locations. In order to encourage more participants from around the globe to join the WCR, riders will be allowed to set out from three different locations – London, Singapore and Auckland. Those sites were specifically selected because they have routinely been stops for past cycling circumnavigation attempts as well.

Once on the road however, the cyclists are free to choose whatever route they feel is best. Like last year's race, they can ride in either direction around the globe but they must cover a minimum of 18,000 miles (28,968 km) and they must pass through two antipodal points while doing so. The first person who returns to their starting point will win the race. Riders can choose to compete in three different categories. Supported, Solo and Partners. A winner will be crowned in each category for the overall fastest time.

Last year, Mike Hall won the race in a blazing fast 91 days, 18 hours. This year's competitors won't have to worry about facing Hall this time out though. He has come on board as a WRC Ambassador and is working with race organizers to ensure the event goes off without a hitch.

Registration for the World Cycle Race is completely free. You simply need to fill out the form found on this website to express your intent for joining the race. Further information will follow soon there after.

Video: Expedition Amundsen - The World's Toughest Ski Race

There are so many amazing athletic competitions taking place on our planet that it is impossible to keep track of them all. Take for instance, the Expedition Amundsen race that took place a month ago on the mountain plateau of Hardangervidda in Norway. The race is 100 km in length (62 miles) through some of the toughest and most remote backcountry in all of Europe. To put it mildly, this is a tough race under the best of conditions.

But the 2013 edition of the race didn't take place under the best of conditions. Part way through the event, a storm rolled through the region, stranding 63 of the 136 competitors in their tents for more than 36 hours. They sat out the storm before proceeding to the finish line, where the race leaders were able to cross before things took a turn for the worse. All told, 51 racers were forced to withdraw due to the extreme weather and difficult conditions.

The video below gives you a sense of what this race is all about. It looks like it was brutal out there, but fortunately everyone got home in one piece.