The Race That Measures It All - An untold story and the beginners guide to mountain bike stage racing by Neil Fourie

This book is a poignantly personal tale of two brothers’ journeys to becoming some of the youngest participants to race and finish the ABSA Cape Epic, after suffering life threatening accidents. It is an inspiring story, written in a casual and easy-to-read style that gives the reader a behind the scenes view of what goes on in the hardest bicycle race on earth.

The book illustrates Neil Fourie’s personal story of dealing with, and overcoming adversity after breaking his back at a South African National Mountain biking event. The book goes on to illustrate valuable information about the preparation, nutrition and training leading up to the ABSA Cape Epic, as well as an insightful, to-the-point view of what the average person goes through, both mentally and physically, during the ABSA Cape Epic.

About the Author:

Neil Fourie holds provincial colours in hockey, and both road and mountain biking disciplines of cycling, as well as national and provincial colours in Judo. Neil started studying Investment Management at the University of Pretoria in 2007, where his life was turned upside down when he crashed during South African Champs held in Stellenbosch, breaking his back.

After successful surgery, Neil had to undergo intensive rehabilitation where he had to learn how to walk again. However Neil made a full recovery and returned to the very spot where he broke his back and claimed a silver medal in the U/23 division during the South African Champs the following year.

In 2010 Neil was involved in a bad car accident which almost claimed his life, breaking both his wrist and femur, perforating his femoral artery and being left for dead in cold and rain for sum hours. After it was said to be nearly impossible to ever race a bicycle again, in 2012, Neil and his brother conquered the world’s hardest mountain biking event, the ABSA Cape Epic.

Neil holds a Marketing degree, with a forthcoming honours degree in Marketing Management and will be leaving to complete his Masters degree at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland in August 2014. Neil is also a single handicap golfer, and a keen surfer too.

IN SUMMARY

 UNIQUE SELLING POINTS:

- An inspiring story showing that anything in life is possible

- An insightful guide for any form of cyclist, from training tips to nutritional information to bike set up, that hasn’t been included in any other relevant/cycling books on the market.

- A behind the scenes, accurate, to-the-point, untold version of what goes on in during the hardest bicycle race on earth.

- The book is endorsed by:

Kevin Vermaak (Founder of the ABSA Cape Epic)

Douglas Ryder (Team principal MTN-QHUBEKA/Former SA Team Captain)

Bruce Reyneke (Former Professional Cyclist and Bicycle Shop Owner)

Ronel van Wyk (Former SA Champion and Professional Cyclist)

John Lee Augustyn (Former SA Champion/Olympian/Grand Tour

Rider/Professional Cyclist-MTN QHUBEKA)

 REVIEWS:

- Go Multi Magazine, Ride Magazine and Full Sus SA

- Bike Life SA will be conducting a brief review of the book on Super Sport’s show, super cycling. The book will also be promoted via various social media platforms and hand outs at various races and mountain bike parks nationwide.