The last two race seasons have dealt a tough blow to industries and individuals around the world. In the small world of endurance mountain bike events, the going has been brutal for some, and merely terrible for others. Some events needed to make difficult decisions in early 2020, with last minute cancellations and postponements. And […]
Wrapping up the 2019 Cape to Cape
Cape to Cape, Port to Port and Reef to Reef are some of the best promoted mountain bike races in Australia at the moment. But does that mean they are the best? That is something worth thinking about, as it really depends what you define as best. This has been my fifth visit to Western […]
Middle Earth mind games at Cape to Cape
In 2019, the stage plans for Cape to Cape had a bit of a shuffle. While the past two years have seen the final day start and finish at Colonial Brewery, this year that stage is stage 3 (today) and tomorrow we will finish on Margaret River’s finest singletrack. This stage is all about Middle […]
Going long at Cape to Cape
At 72km, the second stage of the 2019 Cape to Cape would be one of the longest stages ever at the 4-day mountain bike race in Western Australia. Starting and finishing at Leeuwin Estate winery, the course would be less hilly than stage one, and likely to be super fast. But you may not have […]
Always finish the stage race – Cape to Cape lessons.
If I’m honest, when I woke up this morning I really didn’t feel like racing the 4th and final stage of the 2018 Cape to Cape. This sounds a bit rubbish but there are a few excuses (I can’t call them reasons). It was raining again, I was tired, the ride to the start (this […]
Margaret River mystery tours at Cape to Cape
They always say that some races leave the best for last. I’m not sure that’s the case for Cape to Cape, and I think plenty of people would agree that they leave the best bits for Stage 3. This might sound controversial, but I think the trails in The Pines, and the new trails we […]
Going until you can’t at Cape to Cape
Yesterday was a surprise result for me at Cape to Cape. 23rd doesn’t sound like much to write home about, and I have finished better on the first stage at Cape to Cape in other years. But I also had different fitness those times. On stage one this year, I went in with very moderate […]
The best in the west – Cape to Cape Day One
It’s October, and that means stage races are going crazy. With the Cape Pioneer Trek, the Crocodile Trophy, Cape to Cape and soon the Brazil Ride kicks off – it’s a pretty hectic time. If you were gifted with unlimited funds, you’re looking at four really diverse events to pick from. In Australia, the clear […]
The Redback day 4: Final stage again finishes in sprint. De Rooze and Thomson take GC crowns
A few tired legs on the start line in downtown Alice Springs for the final and arguably hardest stage of this year’s Redback MTB stage race. Rider’s today faced 45km of predominantly the rocky, well cambered singletrack that typifies the riding in central Australia. Chatting among the riders there was more or less complete agreement […]
Who can win the 2017 Cape to Cape
The 2017 Cape to Cape has been running like clockwork. About 1800 riders have descended into the red dirt, loam, sand and limestone trails of Margaret River, for the 4 stages of racing. Brendan Johnston is leading Open Men and Samara Sheppard is leading Open Women. But, there’s 50km still to go and nothing is […]