Help Louis & Alwyn to get to the Cape Epic 2017

The Cape Epic: Taking place from 19 to 26 March 2017 and will be as challenging as ever. Local and international mountain bikers will tackle the demanding eight-day adventure through the Western Cape region in South Africa.

The Absa Cape Epic must be completed by both members of a two-person team with only 650 teams and 1300 entrants allowed to ride the race. The route changes every year, leading aspiring amateur and professional mountain bikers from around the world through roughly 700km of unspoilt scenery and 15 000m of accumulated climbing, over some of the most magnificent mountain passes in South Africa.

The Absa Cape Epic is the most televised mountain bike stage race in the world and the only eight-day mountain bike stage race classed as hors catégorie by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). This official UCI status makes it a highlight on the professional racer's calendar. The Absa Cape Epic also attracts aspiring amateur riders wanting to test themselves against the best.

Funding: Taking part in the Cape Epic requires very hard work, many hours of continued training and 100% commitment. Over and above the time and energy invested by us to prepare for this event we also need to be financially capable of paying our entry fees, our coaches, our recovery massages, bicycle maintenance, nutrition and supplements, pre-epic races, skills training and many more other hidden costs.

So far we have managed to pay our way but as we move closer to the event our pressure to train harder is increasing and requires our complete focus. At this stage we do not have a primary sponsor and we are looking at different options to raise money to ensure that we can perform at our best in March 2017 at the Cape Epic.

Our Goal: We have set ourselves high, but achievable goals. Yes, the objective is to finish the Cape Epic 2017 and to enjoy every moment of it, but we have set our eyes on a realistic placing and so far we are on par with what we would like to achieve.

We are very excited to take part in this "challenging" event, which by some may be described as the toughest Mountain Bike stage race in the world! We appreciate the support of every single person and even the smallest contribution towards our dream will be appreciated!

Louis Visser:

18 years old | Amateur Pro Cyclist | Take a look at my CV & accolades on www.louisvisser.co.za

Cape Town Cycle Tour Juniors Winner 2016 | 94.7 Cycle Tour Juniors Winner 2016 | Winner of the last 2 races of "Ciclista Club Colindres 2016" [in Spain] as well as taking the sprinters jersey in one of the multi-day races.

Alwyn Kannemeyer:

30 years old | Social Cyclist

Some of the completed Races include: 36One, Trans Baviaans, Wines 2 Whales, Houw Hoek Tour, Karoo to Coast, Cape Town Cycle Tour, Stellenbosch Cycle Tour, Coronation Double Century.

Thank you so much! We will be smiling at you each day as we cross the finish line!