Super Joyce sets a tough benchmark

MOST people have no idea what kind of hard work and commitment it takes to achieve ‘super hero’ status in sport.

And while not at the level of a Usain Bolt or Tiger Woods, KwaMbonambi mountain biking queen Joyce Benade is right up there in the biking world’s status ranks after completing 10 Cape Epic Mountain Bike Challenges.

‘I am only the second lady to have achieved this and nobody will be able to repeat this feat before 2016,’ says Benade.

This gruelling Western Cape race attracting mountain bikers from around the world, is a murderous eight-day test of endurance over 800km and 15 000m of mountain pass climbing.

To complete one Epic is already a massive achievement.

‘I only took up cycling when I was 37 and started with an impressive fall going downhill, not knowing what I was doing, and broke the bones in my face.

‘I could not blame the bike or anybody else for my crash as it was my own lack of skill and knowledge that caused the fall.

‘I have learnt a lot since that first crash, but it has not stopped me from having a few more.’

Joyce competed in her first Epic with John Swaine in 2005, which lead to the duo competing five Cape Epics as a team.

Every year 600 teams enter, but only about 100 ladies are included.

New format

The race format changed in 2009 after it was found that the distance was too long and moving camp everyday too expensive.

‘With the new format one now stays in the same village for two or three nights, ride the routes around that town before moving on to the next race village.

‘The distances became shorter as the routes became much more technical.

‘What makes the Cape Epic such a challenge is riding 100km plus with a 2 500m ascent on day one, and then repeating it day after day.’

‘Seeing what can go wrong on the route with riders crashing and breaking bones, dehydrating, collapsing because they rode to hard and their bodies cannot endure anymore, is heart-breaking.

‘Fortunately in the 10 Epics I rode, I did not have a single puncture or any bike mechanics that jeopardized my finishing.’

‘The last two Epics have been physically tough as I suffer from severe pain in my hips and lower back due to calcifications in my hip tendons.

‘The worst Epic must have been my first. I did not know what to expect and I went into the race with three broken toes on my left foot that was really painful when putting on the riding shoes or doing the walking sections of the route.

‘Getting bitten by a spider on the right leg on day two and getting cellulites in that leg, suffering from the dreaded chafing from day two and having blisters under my feet were but a few of the pains I endured.

‘After finishing that Epic though, I knew I could do it again. Nothing could be that tough again.’

Over the years Joyce has picked up the nickname ‘Slow Poison’.

‘You need to take the first step or pedal stroke and that is the beginning of every person becoming a conqueror.’