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 waterproof canvas tent per rider (this will comfortably fit the rider and his/her rider bag) dimensions: 2.1 x 2.1 x 1.75m
• 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.

Each rider will receive:

• Absa Cape Epic gift
• USWE 100L trolley Rider bag

Each official finisher will also receive:

• Absa Cape Epic finisher's medal
• Absa Cape Epic finisher's t-shirt (only given to official finishers)
• Picnic lunch to enjoy on the Grand Finale day

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 Accommodation package or Avis Upgrade package through the Optional Extras store, that cover this transport. 

Riders can check in a bike box or bag at registration venue before 13:00 on the day of registration. These bike boxes and bags will be securely stored for the duration of the event and available at the Grand Finale.

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

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.

Over the course of the week, the Absa Cape Epic offers a fully equipped bike service support team both on route and in the Race Village. Their teams will ensure that your bike is professionally maintained from the Prologue right through to the Grand Finale.

Technical support will be available to all riders on route at the water points each day. Please ensure that you carry your credit card with you to pay for any services or parts required on route.

Please note: Limited booking space may be available within the Race Village Tech Zone, so we would suggest you book your spot in advance if you plan to make use of any of their services.

Route Tech Support:

Olympic Cycles

Race Village Tech Zone:

Manic Cycles 
Contact person: Francois Esterhuizen 
Contact number: 082 413 8935
Email: francois@maniccycles.co.za

The Absa Cape Epic 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 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 Aramex Strip Stop situated at Water Point 1 of each stage.
• Riders must deposit the items in their Aramex 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  Aramex Strip Stop per stage.
• Aramex Chute Bags and Aramex Strip Stop bags will be transported back to the Race Village and can be collected in the Recovery Zone once you finish that day. 

If you are a racing 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 labelled, sealed bags. 

The Aramex 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.

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.

• An emergency medicine specialist heads a team of medical doctors, 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 that are beyond the scope of the field hospital. Please carry a credit card with you to facilitate swift admission procedures.
• All riders' detailed medical information is available to doctors, nurses and medics instantly, allowing medics to make informed clinical decisions. (It is critical that you take the time to complete your Medical Questionnaire through your online profile.)
   

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).

Full-service water points will have a range of snacks on offer to keep your energy levels up where they need to be.

These include sweets, protein/cereal bars, fresh fruit, marmite or cheese sandwiches, fresh fruit or mini muffins, fruit cake or dates, baby potatoes and savoury snacks e.g. rice crackers, pretzels.

Full-service water points will also be stocked with USN energy bars, USN endurance drinks, Coca-Cola and water. 

Hydro water points along the route will include: USN energy bars, USN endurance drinks, water

After each stage, riders can head for the Recovery tent where they can choose from a wide selection of sandwiches, protein snacks, fresh fruit, drinks and other snacks as well as a ready-to-heat meal (also complimentary) to start the recovery process. There are also food stalls in the finish area where riders and supporters alike can buy a range of take-away food. Riders are responsible for their own nutrition between race finish and the evening meal provided in the Race Village.