With the stage being a relatively short one today (by Epic standards), it was a mad rush for the TREAD team to get from the various water and spectator points, and then to the finish. The top riders came through Water Point 1 at a blistering pace, and it was barely ready for them. Thank goodness for google maps, we managed to get around and to the finish just in time to catch the Pros burn across the line. As usual there were mums at all the water points and we had a chat to a few.
Mum working at the Epic: Simone van Zyl from Paarl is working on her first Absa Cape Epic. She has an events management background and has been involved in high-profile events including Wimbledon, The Open Golf and Royal Ascot, to name a few. Her five-year-old son, Nicolaas, is a keen mountain biker and regularly rides the Jonkershoek 11km route. He thinks he has the coolest mum. We chatted to Simone at water point 1 on todays stage where she is the Pit Stop manager.Mum supporting the Epic: Meryl Russell came well prepared to Water Point 3 with her travel coffee mug. It was still early and the sun was yet to warm up the day. Meryl was trail side supporting her son, Brent Russell, team number 609-2, who is competing in his fourth Epic. It’s Meryl’s fourth time supporting at the race too. They are from Cape Town and have been driving through to the spectater points and finish line daily. Meryl has proudly, yet always anxiously, been supporting Brent since he started mountain biking years ago. She admits that its the waiting that gets to her and panic mode sets in when he doesn’t arrive when expected! Brent is a qualified mechanical engineer turned pastor.
Mum riding the Epic: Refueling in the Woolworths Recovery Zone after her Stage 3 ride was Louise Ferriera, Team 49-2. Louise told us she had a great day today as she liked the technical stuff. She is competing in her fourth Absa Cape Epic and has a triathlon background. When asked why she got into mountain biking: “I love being in nature”. Louise is a mother of two, a daughter of 17 and a son of 20. Her daughter is in matric and its a hectic year for them. Being a mum is always tricky as we usually put children and family before our own needs, and thats no different for Louise who fits in most of her training before work.
