Loyalty

Amabubesi Finisher Club

It is a great accomplishment to finish the Absa Cape Epic - just once! We honour and reward riders that return to race the Absa Cape Epic multiple times with an exclusive loyalty programme.

Riders that have finished the event three times are awarded membership of Amabubesi – the Absa Cape Epic Finisher Club. "Amabubesi" means "pride of lions" in Zulu, a fitting description for the tough breed of riders who tackle the Absa Cape Epic repeatedly.

An annual Amabubesi breakfast is hosted in Cape Town on the day before the start of the race. It is a time to come together with fellow members of the prestigious club and swap Absa Cape Epic war stories and encourage those taking on the challenge once again.

Three completed Absa Cape Epic races grants membership to the Amabubesi Finisher Club.

In addition to a special certificate and medal to honour their achievement, Amabubesi club members receive benefits according to the number of races they have completed, such as:

An invitation to the annual Amabubesi Breakfast for all members riding the current year's race
Additional Amabubesi gifts for all Amabubesi entrants
A separate finisher area at the Grand Finale with personalised medal and a personalised digital certificate that will be made available in your online profile
A guaranteed team entry into the next Absa Cape Epic after ten finishes. Normal registration deadlines apply

Member List

About the Last Lions

Since its launch in 2004, the Absa Cape Epic has taken riders across 16,003km of untamed terrain, through 177 stages and up 347,041 vertical metres. That is the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest more than 39 times.

Yet only two riders have experienced every kilometre, every climb and every chapter of the race: John Gale and Hannele Steyn. On 28 February 2004, they stood among the 550 riders gathered in the dawn light of Knysna, embarking on the very first Absa Cape Epic.

More than two decades later, they remain the only riders to have completed all 22 editions, witnessing the race evolve from its original Knysna to Cape Town format into the world's premier mountain bike stage race.

Across their extraordinary 22 year journey, Gale and Steyn have:

Completed all 177 stages, including 17 Prologues.
Taken on five individual time trials, in 2011, 2018, 2019, 2023 and 2025.
Finished the longest stage in race history, the 146km Stage 5 from Swellendam to Bredasdorp in 2008.
Completed the edition with the most climbing, with 18,529m in 2008.
Raced the longest route in Absa Cape Epic history, covering 966km in 2008.
Experienced the race through its original format and its evolution into the modern host town era.

Today, only two riders remain. One day, there will be one. The Last Lion.

The Last Lion Trophy

Dylan Lewis has created a work that captures the noble majesty and regal bearing of the king of Africa’s big cats for the Last Lion trophy. His sculpture, which will be presented to the last rider to have finished every Absa Cape Epic, exudes the respect and strength that the competitors and the lion have in common, celebrating their legendary status.

Lewis has forged a reputation as one of the foremost figures in contemporary sculpture. Born into a family of artists, he followed the path of his father, Robin, himself a renowned South African sculptor. He is one of a select group of living artists who have had more than one solo auction at Christie’s in London. Lewis takes wildlife as his inspiration, and has focussed on the cat in his work, imbuing his bronze sculptures with power and movement, using texture to represent Africa’s primeval, rugged and beautiful landscapes and the ancient, unforgettable rhythms of the continent. His sculptures work on an abstract as well as physical level.

For the Last Lion, Lewis has sculpted a lion lying on a rock as he looks across the plains, king of all he surveys.

Hannele Steyn

Profession: Geneticist/Microbiologist from Knysna

What keeps you coming back to the Absa Cape Epic:
“I love the race and it became my favourite race experience from the very first one when I had no clue what to expect or what multi day racing was all about. As a professional racing for Adidas International that was also the sponsor of the Cape Epic, it was just one of the planned races on my calendar, but after I retired form professional racing in 2007, I had done four already and wanted to get to five at least. Each year after that I was fortunate enough to get a sponsor and then it became a challenge to get to number 10. If you have done 10, you must either stop or again carry on till the next big number.”

When do you think you will stop doing the Epic?
“While I love it and because this race is such a challenge, I will try and do it until something outside of my power stops me.”

John Gale

Profession: Chartered Accountant from Cape Town

What does it take to finish the Absa Cape Epic?
"A whole year of luck in training and being lucky enough with health, work and personal life to be at the start line. Eight consecutive days of luck on the bike. Not picking up an injury, not dehydrating, not getting sunstroke, not breaking the bike. It needs a lot of luck. Each year the field is stronger, faster, better equipped and better prepared.”

Why do you keep on coming back for more?
“I have the tiger by the tail, like Baloo; he has to come back to feel that the other end has teeth. The first stage is always the most difficult. After eight days of training I am ready for the later stages.”

Epic Legends

All the races demand their own level of commitment, whether in preparation or to cross the finish line.

The Epic Legend loyalty program offers a celebrated award for competing in the different Legend races within the Epic Series, which carry the most prestige.

Cape Epic