SOUTH AFRICA’S CAPE EPIC mountain bike race is 8 days of precipitous inclines, tortuous tracks and stretches even the most hardened international athletes struggle to get to grips with – Cyclists ride 800 kilometres through the Western Cape’s unspoilt nature reserves and private farm land, and climb 15 000 metres in mountain passes and single track sections with sheer drop-offs making the adrenalin flow a bit faster than normal.
The Cape Epic is the most widely covered Mountain Bike Race in the world, being televised in more than 170 countries in over 30 languages. 600 Teams of 2 riders each will leave Cape Town on Sunday, 27 March for a test of physical and mental endurance hard to be equaled in any other sporting events around the globe.
This year’s race is unique as it is being tackled by our very own Zhann Meyer (Regional Head of Commodity Trade & Agriculture for Africa) and Robin Bairstow (Head of OCC for Zambia). Our two noble cavaliers have been preparing for the race by venturing into Africa's exotic open spaces: Training in Leopard’s Hill south of Lusaka and participating in various adventure races in South Africa, averaging 12-15 hours in the saddle each week. Having already covered more than 3,000 training kilometers, the trials and tribulations are numerous with hardware casualties culminating in the form of shattered bike parts, ruined tyres and smashed helmets!
But all this effort is not in vain – Zhann and Robin will be navigating the Western Cape highlands for a very good cause, Seeing is Believing – Standard Chartered’s global sight campaign which is aimed at giving the gift of sight to individuals worldwide. South Africa is one of the Group’s ‘Seeing is Believing’ countries – so any funds which Zhann and Robin raise, will be matched by the Bank, ultimately doubling the benefit of sight for the local community.
The race is from 27th March to 3rd April – So please dig deep into your pockets to incentivise these two to cross the finish line in one piece – which Cape Epic rules dictate to be within 2 MINUTES of each other at the end of each day.....so if nothing else, Zhann and Robin will have cemented an eternal bond by the time the reach the checkered flag! We wish them luck and know they will make Standard Chartered proud.
For more details on the Race, please visit www.cape-epic.com to see what these guys are letting themselves in for
EFT’S / CHEQUES / CREDIT CARDS IN ALL CURRENCIES WELCOME! – Feel free to sponsor per kilometer or make any form of contribution – every cent counts!
Account Name: Standard Chartered Bank
Bank: Standard Chartered Bank
Branch code: 730020
Account number: 00188425100
Swift code: SCBLZAJJ
Payment Reference: “ZHANN MEYER SIB” or “ROBIN BAIRSTOW SIB”
