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Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 Cape Epic - The Send It Daily - 322

Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 Cape Epic - The Send It Daily - 322

Extra Extra! Read all about legends playing bike tag, blowing up rear wheels, the brutal Cape Epic, and guaranteed laughs. LET'S SEND IT👇

1319 words of pure stoke.
Read time: 4 min 48 seconds.

Cape Epic vibes 🥵

Photo of the Day

We’re not sure if Danny MacAskill and Kriss Kyle are locked in an intense game of bike tag, a high-stakes round of copycat, or if it’s just a "last one down buys the beers" situation.

📷 Marcus Cole behind the lens.

Video of the Day

Nothing new that knocked our socks off today, so we’re going with a throwback!

Tropical vibes, urban freeride, and Japan’s southernmost area, what more could you want?

Ayato’s riding is absolutely unreal and we can’t get enough of those raw hucks to flat.

⏰ Watch time - 7 min 39 sec

Tropical Vibes / MTB Urban Freeride in Japan's southernmost area

Bonus: Looking to class up your next cocktail hour with some fine entertainment?

Forget smooth jazz. Throw on five years’ worth of trail building, packed into one mesmerizing time-lapse video.

Watch dirt get shaped, berms get sculpted, and jumps come to life in the most satisfying way possible.

It’s like watching Bob Ross, but with shovels, pickaxes, and a lot more sweating.

Sit back, sip that drink, and let the sound of rakes on dirt be the soundtrack to your evening.

⏰ Watch time - 1 hour 9 min 58 sec

Send of the Day

No berm is safe. Throw back to when Jack Pelland blew up his rear wheel!

Watch here

The Ultimate MTB Challenge - Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 Cape Epic 🥵

In case you’ve been living under a rock, the Cape Epic is in full swing.

And by "epic," we mean pure, unfiltered suffering on two wheels.

This isn’t your casual Sunday group ride.

It’s 603km of lung-busting climbs, soul-crushing terrain, and enough heat to cook a mid-ride snack on your top tube.

Now in its 21st edition, the Cape Epic remains one of the gnarliest stage races on the planet—a place where only the toughest survive, and the rest question every life decision that led them here.

Strap in, hydrate aggressively, and pray your legs don’t file for divorce.

How the Cape Epic Got Started

Back in 2004, someone decided mountain biking just wasn’t hard enough… so they created the Cape Epic.

Founder Leon Evans dreamed up a stage race that would break legs and make even the toughest riders reconsider their life choices, all while showcasing South Africa’s breathtaking (and brutally unforgiving) landscapes.

Fast forward 21 years, and it’s become the premier MTB sufferfest, luring in the world’s top pros and ambitious amateurs who think they’re signing up for “a fun challenge.”

Spoiler: It’s anything but.

PC: Kelvin Trautman

What’s New in the 2025 Cape Epic

This year’s race promises to be one of the toughest yet, with 300 kilometers of new trails and the introduction of a time trial stage.

Here’s a quick look at what to expect:

Prologue (March 16)

The prologue is where the race began, and was the first taste of what’s to come.

Set on the iconic trails of Meerendal, Fair Cape Dairies, and Hoogekraal, riders experienced sharp climbs, technical descents, and beautiful spectator points that mad them wonder if they should’ve trained a little harder.

The prologue is a short but intense introduction to the race and serves as a reminder that no one is safe, no matter how experienced they are.

Stage 1 (March 17)

Stage 1 of the Cape Epic is notorious for being a brutal wake-up call.

It starts off deceptively mild, only to quickly devolve into a series of punishing climbs that tested even the fittest of riders.

It’s a true mano a mano battle, where teamwork is everything, and hiding in the pack won’t help you.

This is where early contenders started to show their cards, and those who weren’t prepared quickly found themselves struggling.

Stage 2 (March 18)

This year introduces a brand-new feature: a point-to-point time trial.

This stage is a test of pure power and teamwork, with a mix of climbing and rolling terrain.

Weather conditions could play a huge factor here.

A strong wind or scorching heat might separate the powerhouses from the rest of the pack.

Stage 3 (March 19)

Stage 3 will take riders up the rugged Paarl Mountain, where they’ll face steep climbs and technical descents that require both skill and grit.

One strong showing here could set a team up for success in the latter half of the race, while a bad day could lead to a painful recovery process.

It’s a critical stage that could shape the final outcome of the race.

Stage 4 (March 20)

Stage 4 takes riders through the rocky terrain of Paarl Mountain, and while the views are beautiful, the heat and rocky outcrops will feel like a furnace on riders' legs.

The sun and challenging terrain make this a true test of endurance and mental toughness.

Stage 5 (March 21)

Stage 5 is the longest stage of the race, and it’s going to push riders to their limits.

With a series of brutal climbs and long stretches of trail, this stage is all about endurance, strategy, and recovery.

This is the day where a solid performance can give riders a much-needed advantage heading into the final stages.

Stage 6 (March 22)

This stage will be one of the most picturesque of the event, with riders weaving through vineyards, fynbos, and orchards.

But don’t be fooled by the beauty.

The technical trails and steep climbs will demand everything from tired legs.

With the grand finale just around the corner, teams will need to dig deep to hold onto their positions.

Grand Finale (March 23)

The grand finale is the last chance for riders to make their mark.

It’s a fitting end to the race, with a challenging climb and technical descents that will leave everyone with memories (and probably some battle scars).

The riders who have kept it together all week will have the chance to celebrate their efforts as they cross the finish line.

PC: Kelvin Trautman

Why You Should Care

The Cape Epic isn’t just for the pros.

It’s a true spectacle for fans as well.

Watching riders push themselves to the edge through unforgiving terrain is a reminder of the grit, teamwork, and perseverance mountain biking demands.

Last year, Ghost Factory Racing dominated the women’s race, and Matthew Beers and Howard Grotts claimed the win in the men’s category.

The 2025 Cape Epic is proving to be one of the most challenging editions yet.

With new trails, time trials, and unpredictable weather, it’s the ultimate test for any mountain biker.

Whether you're a fan or a future contender, this race is a celebration of endurance, skill, and the spirit of mountain biking.

PC: Kelvin Trautman

Dream Rides ❤️

We’ve seen bikes that look good, but this one feels good.

If you want to ride for the adrenaline rush, the full-commitment drops, and the white-knuckle runs, this is the bike for the job.

Got a bike that makes your friends drool? We wanna see it! Shoot us an email at editorial@thesenditdaily.com, and maybe your ride will be the next superstar.

Trail of the Day

Switchgrass Trail - Salina, KS

PC: Criffey

Fast, fun, and 11.8 km of bliss.

This trail hits the perfect balance.

Just 119 m of climbing to warm up and 120 m of descent to send it all the way down.

Laugh of the Day

Busted 😂

Watch here

That’s all for today folks. We hope everyone gets some saddle time out there. See you all tomorrow! 🤙

For the ❤️ of two wheels.

We write The Send It Daily Monday - Friday (we’re out riding on the weekends). We do not proofread our material before sending and did not get A’s in English.

Our mission is simple: To advocate and bring awareness to the athletes that Send It and the media teams that capture it.

If you’re looking to feature content on The Send It Daily, reach out to editorial@thesenditdaily.com.

For more information, visit us at thesenditdaily.com