International Participants Host Absa Cape Epic Parties

Each year the build up to the Absa Cape Epic is exciting not only for riders but also for the volunteers and spectators who provide much needed support.

With the rider evenings, route launch, expo at the V&A Waterfront, riders, local volunteers and spectators have the opportunity to get involved long before the actual race begins. Not to be shown up by the locals, our international riders and volunteers have taken the initiative in the build-up to the 2010 Absa Cape Epic, and we were very excited to learn that they have been organising Absa Cape Epic parties in their home countries.

Swiss volunteers Maya Kaegi and Miriam Geisser recently organised a Swiss Absa Cape Epic get-together close to the beautiful Lake Constance, which borders Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

Says Miriam, “After being volunteers for the first time in 2008, we already felt that gathering the Swiss Absa Cape Epic fans for a nice dinner to talk about what we all experienced would be a really nice thing to do”. The gathering turned out to be a huge success, with Maya and Miriam reporting that it was fantastic to see such a great response and to be able to celebrating the memories of the 2009 Absa Cape Epic together.

The “Swiss Absa Cape Epic Reunion 2009” was attended by riders, pro-riders, volunteers (old and new) and fans alike with much catching up and sharing of experiences from previous editions of the event the order of the day. Together the group watched the official Absa Cape Epic DVD and viewed a collection of photographs. “It was a lot of fun, having the scenes and pictures commented from everybody's own experience. You can imagine that our pro-riders did not see all what we have experienced and the other way around”, says Miriam.

Issuing a challenge to other countries represented at the Absa Cape Epic, Miriam and Maya told us they are “convinced that with such events, we also build up the understanding and respect for each other's work.” This build-up party has given riders and volunteers a chance to get to know one another and to build up a country team atmosphere that will be undoubtedly be on display at the 7th edition of the Absa Cape Epic.

Absa Cape Epic team

In this photo: Matthäus Meyer (Rider 2008/2009), Monika (Rider 2008, Matthäus's Girlfriend), Dirk Pauling (Rider 2009), Silvan Meier (Rider 2009), Jochen Käss (Rider 2008/2009), Andreas Kugler (Rider 2009), Thomas Zahnd (Rider 2009), Nicole Braun (Rider 2009), Irene Rüesch (Rider 2009), Marco Dietiker (Rider 2008), Roger Brudermann (Rider 2008/2009), Karin Brudermann (Supporter 2008/2009), Werni Meyer (Supporter 2008), Miriam Geisser (Waterpoint 2008/2009), Maya Kägi (Waterpoint 2008/2009), Mirjam Bucher (Volunteer 2010), Robin Rüesch (Irene's Brother and Maya's Cousin).