The Absa Cape Epic is the most famous mountain bike stage race on earth — eight days and around 650 kilometres of untamed Western Cape singletrack, farm gravel and mountain crossings, ridden in pairs every March.
The Epic moves its route every year but lives in the same country: the mountains and vineyards around Stellenbosch, Wellington, Tulbagh and the Overberg. It is raced in two-person teams, which makes it as much a test of partnership as of legs, and its 'Untamed' reputation is earned — heat, distance and technical terrain stack up day after day.
Epic Series run the race and entry is theirs alone, by waiting list on the link above. Our part is the year before. We put together private blocks on the terrain the Epic actually uses — long Winelands and Swartland days, technical time on the Stellenbosch trails — with the accommodation, food and logistics handled so the only decision you make is what to ride. Partners and family come along on road bikes or e-bikes. If a proper Epic preparation camp is something you would want, tell us and we will build it.
Straight from the organiser, checked 13 August 2026. Always confirm on their own site before you plan around a date.
“The untamed African MTB race.”Absa Cape Epic, in their own words
Mapmaker Collective does not organise, own or sell entries to this race. We are a Cape Town cycling tour operator who rides it, admires the people who put it on, and builds trips around it. Entries are handled entirely by the organiser on the links above.
21 to 28 March 2027. The stage towns had not been announced as of 13 August 2026.
Eight days, a prologue and seven stages. The 2027 edition is provisionally around 650km with 15,500m of climbing. The 2026 edition was 707km and 15,900m.
Yes. It is raced in two-rider teams who have to start and finish every stage together. Categories run from Elite through Open, Masters, Grand Masters, Great Grand Masters and Mixed.
Through the Epic Series waiting list, known as the Rite of Passage, at epic-series.com. Entry is around R125,900 per team for South African residents and R165,900 international. Mapmaker Collective does not sell entries.