“Avoid heatstroke: do the Tourdeboland before your EPIC”
Are you coming to sunny South Africa for the EPIC? And did you notice the adjective ‘sunny’ in that sentence? Yes, it can get very hot here. Especially so when you teleport from a Northern hemisphere winter – arriving at CPT international to be greeted by the African sun can be quite something! So do something safe and sound and fun: one of our Premium end-to-end bicycle tours around the Western Cape. It makes perfect sense, to us at least. And even though the heading is a bit tongue-in-the-cheek, science backs up the notion:
The science of heat training
Heat training enhances cycling performance by triggering physiological adaptations, including increased blood plasma volume and hemoglobin mass, which improves oxygen delivery and cardiovascular function. It also improves thermoregulation by increasing sweating efficiency and reducing heart rate drift during intense efforts. These benefits, similar to those from altitude training, can be achieved through cycling in the heat – like on our Bolandcycletour and Tourdeboland.
We can even guarantee a bit of wind training, too.
Connor had a +11.4% increase in FTP from heat training in just 2 weeks
GCN says this new training is why the pros are faster than ever. “You get that natural increase in EPO.” Connor also said the heat training was absolutely horrendous. But he did it inside – not in the stupendous beauty of the Western Cape Winelands, with friends, while having tons of fun off the bike in the afternoons. Which is what we will be doing.
And now for a personal account:
This is why Jennifer is doing it again next year
Don’t take our word for it – ask Dr Jennifer Burtner, former Medical Director (retired in 2021) now doing part-time Urgent Care in Bend, Oregon. Jen is also a top triathlete (pictured above as she starts this year’s EPIC for team Joy Ride) and this is why she returns to do the Tourdeboland again before her EPIC next year:
How hot was the EPIC this year?
Expletive! The highest reported temperature at the Epic was over 50 degrees Celsius during Stage 3 of the 2025 race, which led to the stage being stopped prematurely for safety reasons after scores of riders suffered heat-related illness. More on treadmtb.co.za/cape-epic-stage-3-stopped-early-for-safety
Did the Bolandcycletour help you?
Unequivocally YES! I flew in from Canada and the temperature swing was massive – from subzero when I left to 40C during our 1st week on the bike. It was quite a system shock, and I am glad we took the first few days easy. It definitely helped, and we had a week off between the Bolandcycletour and the EPIC.
Do you recommend it to others?
Most certainly. I am coming back to do the EPIC again in 2026 and I am also entered for the Tourdeboland. Which is presented by the same friendly people with Nico, John and Carinus. And I am looking forward to experiencing the same warm* South African hospitality again (see what I did there?)
4x Reasons to do a Tour de Boland cycle before your EPIC
- Perfect timing – our bicycle tours run prior to the CTCT. Both are road bike tours (you can rent bikes). There is a longer 1500km over 3 weeks version (Bolandcycletour) and a shorter 500+kms over 1 week version (Tourdeboland). You finish on the Sunday with the spectacular Cape Town Cycle Tour and then have a whole week off the bike before the EPIC starts!
- Perfect taper – ours are bicycle tours, not races. There are no podiums and no prizes. But there are friendly faces and the sights and sounds of the Boland. You get to enjoy our beautiful countryside as we meander through the winelands, and you get to soak up the African sun. Just don’t drink too much after the ride. Or do, as we cater for both.
- Perfect pricing – YES, we know the EPIC entry is expensive. $8k+ for a team to sleep in a tent for a week is something (but so is the experience). Ours come in at either (A) a fraction of the cost for the week-long Tourdeboland; or (B) comparatively priced but for 22-days, including mostly 4-star hotel accommodation and meals for the Bolandcycletour.
- Perfect tourism – you are coming to SA for The Untamed African Race, and while you are here why not include some or most of our top tourism attractions? We cater for just as much fun off as on the bike. Think olive tasting, wine tours, Table Mountain, stargazing, game drives, African safari, the Big Five, depending on which tour, and so much more.
Spaces are limited
And there you have it. If you need more info, or want to talk through the details, reach out to the team at trap@cyclotourism.co.za to get you on the list. Let’s go!
