With Table Mountain National Park as their playground, Capetonians are fortunate to have world-class mountain biking trails are on their doorstep. For local riders Rebecca van Huyssteen and Kylie Hanekom, training in the Mother City means balancing their full-time careers with their passion for elite racing. It’s an urban-meets-adventure lifestyle that few cities can match.

Photo: Jess Meniere

Both riders are currently competing in the Absa Cape Epic, the most prestigious mountain biking race in the world, showcasing Cape Town as a global destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Kylie has done two Epics, and this is Rebecca’s second. It’s the first time they’re riding together. Click here to see how they are faring.

“Cape Town is a rare city where you can finish a morning meeting and be on a mountain bike an hour later, riding some of the best trails in the world.”

Everyday Epic

What makes Cape Town a dream for riders is the daily access to top-tier trails. Whether it’s a sunrise spin up Signal Hill or a sunset lap in Tokai, there’s no shortage of single track right from your front door.

This proximity to adventure is exactly what Cape Town-based property developer Blok leans into. Known for their contemporary, design-driven apartments in neighbourhoods like Sea Point and the city centre, Blok creates spaces for people who embrance active city living and want a home that connects them to the outdoors as much as it does the culture of the city.

“Cape Town is a rare city where you can finish a morning meeting and be on a mountain bike an hour later, riding some of the best trails in the world,” says Rebecca. “For us, training isn’t just about race prep—it’s about living in a place that fuels our passion every single day.”

Art and Adrenaline

For this year’s Cape Epic, Team Blok isn’t just showing up fit, they’re showing up in style. Cape Town artist Xia Carstens was brought in to design the team’s race kit, injecting a bold, artistic edge into the elite racing scene.

“We wanted something that wasn’t just about function but also told a visual story.”

Known for her expressive work that captures movement and emotion, Carstens approached the jersey as more than just performance wear. “We wanted something that wasn’t just about function but also told a visual story – one that connects to Cape Town and the unique way we live and ride here,” she says.

The result is a kit that feels deeply rooted in place: a blend of colour, flowing lines and fierce individuality, mirroring the dramatic landscapes and wild spirit of the trails themselves.

Photo: Jess Meniere

Capturing the Culture

The creative synergy didn’t stop with the jersey. Photographer Pippa Yates captured the collaboration in a shoot that showcases Cape Town’s dual identity.

It’s a reminder that in Cape Town, the adventure doesn’t stop at the trailhead. It continues in the creative studios, on gallery walls, in bike shops, and in homes built for an active life. If your dream is to live an active lifestyle without giving up the energy of the city, discover how Blok is building homes designed to connect you to both.

Explore Blok’s properties designed for active, city-connected living: blok.co.za

READ MORE ON: BLOK city living culture cycling culture Ride Cape Town