Family man Hendrik van Huyssteen will participate in the Absa Cape Epic for the 10th time in 2013.
The legendary mountain bike stage race, which takes place from March 17 to 24, will see Van Huyssteen and his daughter Laurike take on the demanding eight-day mountain bike adventure of 698km with 15 650m of climbing from Meerendal Wine Estate to Lourensford Wine Estate.
“The 2006 race definitely stands out as one of the most memorable as we started with the elite riders every day,” says the 55-year-old, who finds the first and last stages the most challenging.
Van Huyssteen, who is an electrical engineer by trade, started mountain biking in 2000 and considers his starting his own company 11 years ago his biggest achievement off the bike.
He says that training for the event is always fun as his whole family are cyclists and have previously partnered with him in the Cape Epic.
“It’s easy as we just get on our saddles and do a couple of mountain bike races. I’ve participated in the Cape Epic since its inception and made many new friends.
“The event takes over my life for six months of the year and it has basically become a ritual – beginning December training starts although we cycle throughout the year.
“The highlight of my Cape Epic adventures has been to compete in last year’s race with my whole family (wife, son and daughter). I’ve also partnered with each of them individually in previous years.”
His toughest race was when he competed in the masters’ category and finished 39th overall and 10th in his category in 2006.
“You need a lot of luck to make the finish line in this race. So many things can go wrong.I’ve had broken ribs, I’ve crashed – you name it.
“The best part of the race is the buildup and excitement before the race begins and the worst part has been to stand in a cold shower in the rain and cold after a hard day.”
