There are only two mountain bikers that have completed every edition of the Absa Cape Epic – John Gale is one of them. Incredibly, he completed 11 editions of the world’s most demanding mountain bike stage race on the same bike – a SCOTT Spark RC. Here’s some insight into this record-breaking combination of man and machine.
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John Gale lives in Cape Town and is an accountant by profession. He has somehow managed to find himself in a position to enter – and complete – all 20 editions of the Absa Cape Epic so far. He has obviously entered the 2025 edition of the world’s most prestigious mountain bike stage race. But for the first time in 11 editions, he won’t be doing it on his old SCOTT Spark RC. He will be riding – a new brand-new SCOTT Spark …
Despite having completed all 156 Cape Epic stages, Gale doesn’t see himself as some kind of hardcore hero. His SCOTT Spark, on which has completed 88 of those stages – more than half – however has achieved mountain bike greatness. No matter what your brand allegiance, you cannot help but be impressed at this remarkable feat.
Not surprisingly, Gale has replaced his trusty Spark RC with the latest version of the same model – the SCOTT Spark RC World Cup EVO. While he says there’s nothing wrong with his old Spark RC, he felt the need to embrace the updated technology that’s seen cutting-edge design and development of three new Spark models since 2013, all still retaining the Spark’s great riding characteristics, but refined to be lighter, stiffer, more stable and just as reliable.
His old SCOTT Spark RC won’t be consigned to a dusty corner in his storeroom, it will, rightly so, be treated like mountain bike royalty and be sent to the SCOTT Sports HQ in Switzerland, where it will be proudly displayed among bikes that have been raced by the legendary Nino Schurter to Olympic, World Championship and World Cup titles.
Schurter and Gale couldn’t be more different in terms of their life paths, but both have invested a significant volume of their time and energy in their individual mountain biking success by piloting SCOTT Sparks… For Schurter, that success is winning, for Gale, it’s getting through another demanding Cape Epic to maintain his exceptional record.
Most mountain bikers will relate better to Gale than to Schurter and will also appreciate the durability and reliability of Gale’s trusty Spark. Whether you’re racing to win, as Schurter will be again this year, or just riding to finish, as Gale will be again this year, in a race like the Cape Epic, a dependable bike is a must.
We asked Gale a few questions about his old and new SCOTT Spark bikes.
Incredibly, you completed 11 Cape Epics on the same SCOTT Spark RC. What years did you ride this bike?
Jakes Jakobsen (my Cycling Sensei and first Cape Epic teammate) had vetoed early adoption of 29er technology, but in 2013 he allowed that 29er design would be suitable for me and approved the Scott RC. So, from 2013 to 2024.
What a great bike! Its drivetrains have gone from 3×9 to 2×10 and eventually to 1×12. It has seen forks go from 100mm to 110mm and has just kept going. From 2013 to 2024 it has completed each Cape Epic without missing a beat. I could not have asked for more from a bike.
What was the reason you rode that many Cape Epics on the same bike? Did you experience any major issues with that bike?
My SCOTT Spark RC continued to serve me and I continued to ride it! With Clint Elliot servicing it and Warren Lamb (SRAM South Africa) providing the brain power to spec the bike and manage compatibility of parts and cyclist, I simply could not have been happier.
No one can ride Cape Epics without some mechanicals. However, the vast majority of my troubles were on 26ers – prior to this Spark. I don’t normally let mechanics fiddle with the bike during the Epic. Clint prepares it for the Epic and then unless something breaks the bike just works.
You now have a new bike. Tell us a bit about it?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with my 2013 SCOTT Spark RC, but the technology has improved. There is no comparison between the new bike and the old (much as I still love the old). It is like comparing a WW1 biplane to a Space Shuttle.
Everything is brand new, so of course it is clean and precise. But this technology is at a different level. It is so much more advanced than I had imagined. The new bike is very much more rigid when climbing and I have elected to continue with a fixed seatpost. Not yet ready for a dropper post.
And what do you think about the integrated rear shock?
I love the clean design and appreciate the protection from mud and dirt. It is also a bonus to be able to carry two water bottles on the frame again. The frame design allows an incredible amount of travel at the back (120mm), which really does make the bike a great ride.
“While we place a great deal of emphasis on introducing consumers to the SCOTT brand, we believe their journey is only complete when they have bought their second SCOTT bike. It’s stories like John’s that are just as important to us at SCOTT as Nino winning a major race title” said Joggie Prinsloo, SCOTT Sports Africa Brand Manager.
“That second SCOTT bike is more than a purchase, it confirms the consumer’s trust in the SCOTT brand that’s been earned through our commitment to Innovation, Technology and Design. This carries through right from new-bike day to our commitment after-sales service, which we deliver through our excellent dealer network, added Prinsloo.
You can read more about Gale’s perspective of his new SCOTT Spark and his extraordinary mountain biking journey on his blog, Fat Bob, here.
Find out more about Gale’s new SCOTT Spark RC World Cup EVO here.
