Event Of The Year | The Marvellous Cape to Cape, WA

The Cape to Cape is now in its 12th year. For those who’ve been a part of it would know why it’s outlasted many mountain bike events in Australia, and for those that haven’t take a look below. Now the oldest and largest Australian round of the Epic Series events consisting of the Port to Port in Newcastle, Reef to Reef in Cairns, The Pioneer in New Zealand, Swiss Epic and the high-profile Cape Epic in South Africa.

C2C is a momentous event and never ceases to amaze us at how many people make the annual pilgrimage way down the south-west of Western Australia, to the remote region of Margaret River for four days of riding and good times.

Going in! The trails would often start with a bit of fire-road to warm you up, spread people out, and give you a chance to see some of the countryside – if you were looking.

We’ve lost count of how many Cape to Capes we’ve been to, we came away from this year’s event feeling damn good about this particular one. The perfect weather and trail conditions helped, but it was the vibe and atmosphere that made it for us this year, meeting new people, seeing more of the region and watching the great racing unfold.

It’s four days of racing on a wide variety of trails. One day may suit you in particular, or your partner or the rider that you beat the day before. It’s a chance to ride with your partner in the pairs category or take it on solo. It’s an event with plenty of support, the large event team with a great group of volunteers keep the show rolling, and it’s a very well-oiled machine.

Each day, the official proceedings wrap up around lunch – or before for the fast – and you’re left with hours to do whatever you want.

We spent our afternoons by the beach, swimming in the ocean, hanging at the brewery, chilling at the bike shop cafe, and riding the sweet trails close to town.

Below you’ll find a selection of our favourite images from the event, enjoy!

The iconic start line beacon, the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

Where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet, and the Cape to Cape begins.

It feels like you’re dangling precariously off the edge of the continent down at Cape Leeuwin, it’s a highly dramatic place with the weather swirling around overhead and the oceans raging on either side of the narrow headland. If the weather is terrible, it’s double-terrible down at Cape Leeuwin, but on this particular day it was positively lovely!

From Alice Springs to Cape Leeuwin, this pair was on a mega-adventure.

Day one is a chance for the colossal field to stretch the legs and the order in which you finish will place you in the wave start groups for the second stage to spread the large field out nicely. It’s not hours of lush singletrack, that is coming up.

Clint and Josh from the course crew, before they got busy, keeping everyone going the correct way.

A birds-eye view of Cape Leeuwin, a seriously dramatic place sticking out into the ocean.

That iconic shot of the main pack with Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and the start line behind.

A stark contrast to last year’s mud-fest. It was a dusty affair this year and made for some great images. Here Trekky leads Cam Ivory, asserting their intentions very early on.

A few rowdy descents were thrown in to keep riders on their toes.

Pushing hard up the rigorous and less-popular Sally Hill Climb, “thanks, Sally…”

When you’ve worked hard out there, it’s impossible to hide the emotions when you cross the line.

When the sun came out and grew in warmth, the colours in the ocean popped.

No words, sorry Karl and Em, thanks for being such good sports for the camera again. 🙂

Vines, pea-gravel, giant trees and delicious loam.

Riders would start the second day in waves, five minutes apart. As they darted their way towards the singletrack, trains of riders kicked up plumes of red dust, and the action was on.

This day has some of Margaret River’s most scenic trails, through the Booranup Forest under towering Karri trees. Below the soil is a delicious ochre colour, a perfect match for mountain bike tyres, so the turns are grippy and fast.

Foxes and racoons, grapes and coffee beans. The ever-smiling duo Anna and Briony love these events, and they nailed it this year.

Support comes in all shapes and sizes. Chewbacca thought each bike rider was its owner, so it was extra busy this week!

This was the first mountain bike stage race for this duo, Lucy and Ella ride in a road racing team, but this week they tried their hands on something different, and clearly loved it!

Leaving Leeuwin Estate, and heading into lush farmland, the riders got to see a vibrant part of the region. Riders were really mooving on the fast roads…

Jonny Waddell settling into his own pace below a towering tunnel of trees.

Love this photo! Check out the Karri trees and dense undergrowth. The singletrack through Booranup Forest is a ribbon in a tunnel of loamy soil beneath giant native trees.

Jo Bennet floats through the forest, happily chatting with her peers.

Bazinggaaaa! Threading the singletrack of the immensely popular Lord of The Rings section.

Brad dives into a creek crossing to cool off.

If you’re yet to ride the surfaces of C2C, you may find these slippery little buggers quite entertaining! Pea gravel requires a gentle steering technique, or you’re on your butt.

Faces of C2C, Holly and a day two smile.

Leeuwin Estate is one of the founding wineries in the iconic wine region, seriously lovely wines to taste, and their beautiful grounds are nice to explore.

Down to the Settlers Tavern in Margaret River main street to watch the day’s video highlights on the telly and tuck into some satisfying pub grub, they even had VIP bike parking for C2C riders, nice!

Trekky’s custom painted Giant Anthem, commemorating ten years of being cancer-free.

From the brewery to Middle Earth, and back.

Look, we’re big fans of breweries, we’re not going to lie. And Colonial Brewery is a particularly pleasant place to be, even without the beers. The lush grass, live music, fresh food and buzzing atmosphere makes it a hit for the riders and their support teams. Friday arvo, sorted!

From the brewery, riders flew through the farming roads out to Middle Earth, a singletrack haven built by locals, with a curiously unique landscape and wickedly fun trail features.

Thumbs up for Sally Hill, with all of her fans behind.

An udderly speedy start to spin the legs before a long day out under the sun.

The singletrack labyrinth of Middle Earth is unlike anywhere else we’ve ever ridden. The vegetation is wild!

Andy Blair and the ice coffee milkshake section.

We witnessed race tactics being discussed, as the elite pack hurtled towards the finish.

Crowds gathering to welcome riders to the finish.

Pat and his stoked support team, spotted down at the beach later that afternoon.

Empire Cycles soigneur taking back to the team, like a good captain.

World Champion superstar Sam Hill taking part in the event where he could, despite not racing due to injury.

Saturday arvo and the beach was buzzing with awkward tan lines, the locals certainly can’t miss it when Cape to Cape is in town!

Back to the Colonial Brewery for the Colonial Capers function, delicious food under the stars with like-minded folks.

Line up, one more time. Singletrack delights, and gin and tonics.

Only a hop-skip and a jump from the centre of town, the fourth and final day left off from the Margaret River Distillery and took in all of the juicy singletrack that the town is known for.

From classic pine-forest singletrack to the playful zone Compartment Ten, it’s a day for the singletrack savvy to let the brakes off, boost jumps, rail turns and spend any energy left after four days of pedalling.

WA represent, many mountain bike legends right here.

Handcycles had a fabulous course planned specifically for their needs.

Let’s roll out! Cortney from the Ironman media team, in full flight.

Just a wee scratch on the knee of Holly Harris, didn’t slow her down one bit.

Holly and her trademark grin, whizzing through the singletrack lined with vibrant wildflowers.

Pine forest roads and singletrack all over the place.

The iconic wall ride draws a crowd, as do the never-ending jumps and berms. Odams and Carson locked in battle.

With cameras in hands, we witnessed an absolutely gruelling display of spirit as the two leading teams drove themselves into the ground covering the final few km to the finish.

Medals for all finishers, a real achievement to accomplish.

The surprise on people faces when crossing the line and Sam Hill handed them their finish medals were priceless. Some took theirs off, and asked to do it all over again a second time.

Tony Tucknott was next level Tony on the microphone as the event MC this year. Love this man!

Sam Hill’s wife Bridget and F45 crew chuffed with their efforts. Let the gin flow!

Bubbles for the elites, hard-fought race this year.

Taking a break from the beer and wine, with a g&t.

That’s it from us (Mick), see you all again next year, if not earlier at Port to Port 2020. Yiew!

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