I almost felt like Schumacher in ‘96

If you’ve missed the times I’ve shared my cycling adventures on Instagram then you wouldn’t know how big a cycling fan I really am. More road than mountain bike of late, but a passionate hobby cyclist nonetheless.

This story actually goes back to my childhood. See, when I was growing up my dream was to be an F1 driver. To be fair, that’s still the dream. Anyway, quite soon I understood this dream was out of reach. Though I’ve grown up immensely privileged, my parents did not have the means or knowledge to get me into a kart.

So my school years were focused on getting grades good enough to get into engineering and to hopefully one day work as an engineer in F1. Despite starting the degree the engineering thing also didn't work out, but that’s a story for another day. It was during these years that I discovered cycling. Long before I was allowed to get a driving license, I was desperate to experience speed on wheels. So, a cheap mountain bike led to local cycle races, which led to my first full blown carbon racing bike. I still ride it today and it is a beauty.

There is nothing quite like the sensation of sending it down a mountain pass on slicks, exposed to the elements, powered by your own legs, leaning through corners, judging apexes and picking a line. It’s seriously thrilling. So when I put my bike on the tarmac of Spa-franchorchamps a few years back, I almost felt like I was on debut like Schumacher in '96. I even get goose bumps writing that. Pinch moment for sure.

Suffice to say, I love bikes. And I love shooting bikes. But the two have rarely come together in my as yet short professional career. Until a couple of months ago.

The Cape Epic is internationally acclaimed as the toughest marathon mountain bike race on the planet. 8 days of gruelling stage racing, attracting the absolute top riders globally each year, and it takes place right on my door step, the cape wine lands.

I've been desperate to shoot this event for a few years now, but never really had the time. Since going full time freelance, my calendar has become more flexible and the stars finally aligned. My friend Warwick was one of those stars and helped get this project across the line, thanks bro!

It was one of the most enjoyable 10 working days to date. For so many reasons. But crucially, it’s allowed me to begin my expansion of work beyond motorsport. I appreciate the value that operating within a niche has, and I don’t want to go too far, but I’m so excited to explore other areas of the sporting world. Cycling is top on that list. I still seek adrenaline, action, speed and jeopardy so I won’t be filming chess games any time soon, though I certainly wouldn’t rule it out!

Filming Cape Epic was the first step towards that expansion and I’m so so stoked for what's ahead!