The race will take place for the 16th time in 2019. Since its inception the organisers have introduced annual innovations to build the race into what it is today. Any changes are always made in line with their unstinting philosophy of innovation and improvement. A significant part of the route takes place on privately owned land which is made available exclusively to the organisers of the Epic. As such organisers and landowners alike ask that riders respect this right to privacy during the rest of the year. Trespassers can expect the justified wrath of landowners and the law. Their names will be forwarded to the race office and the organisers will implement a lifetime ban.

All riders must enter as a two-rider team. Teams register in one of four categories that include Men, Ladies, Mixed, and Masters - where both riders must be 40 years or older. The minimum age of participation is 18 years. Each of the eight stages begins at 07h00. The rider’s team must remain together at all times during the race and they are expected to reach the finish line by 17h00 daily. At each stage, the winners of the day receive prizes and the leaders in the overall classification are given their leader jerseys.

The Absa Cape Epic is well organised and presented, with the focus being the participants. Their satisfaction, well-being and enjoyment of the race are the organisers' primary goals. The organisers aim to deliver an unsurpassed and unforgettable mountain bike and African travel experience.

To this end, they offer 24-hour full service around the race, including tented accommodation in race villages, carbo-loaded breakfasts and dinners, race nutrition, bike servicing, masseurs, and entertainment every evening. You can also experience the Absa Cape Epic without actually racing it by joining the Volunteer Programme or one of the Companion Programmes: Epic Trippers or Adventure Boot Camp for Women. The companion programmes are designed for those who love the idea of mountain biking or adventure travelling through the Western Cape but who do not want to race over 700 kilometres.

They also cater for those whose partners are riding the Absa Cape Epic and who would like to share the experience without actually cycling the whole way; and for those who prefer staying in a hotel and enjoying a few picnic lunch-stops along the route. Riders who prefer more luxurious accommodation than the tented race village can opt for one of the premium upgrade or mobile-home packages. Premium package riders stay in hotels and guest houses and get their own dedicated masseur and host.

The Absa Cape Epic has grown in popularity around the world. Every year more than 40 foreign countries are represented and more than a third of the field travel from outside Africa. The race has firmly established itself as an internationally recognised iconic event.