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@axelsman

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🌍 Giraffes running alongside your bike. A venomous snake on the trail. And a podium battle that goes down to the final day. Welcome to Cape Pioneer! 🦒

🚴 5 days, 392 km and over 7,000 metres of climbing
📍 South Africa’s spectacular Karoo wilderness
🔥 Wild river crossings, rugged trails and unforgettable wildlife
🎯 Second place in the mixed category after five intense stages

Michelle and Axel travelled to South Africa for an MTB stage race. What they experienced went far beyond racing. One moment in particular made them forget all about the results.

Cape Pioneer calls itself a Race with Soul. Now we understand why.

🔗 Full details via link in bio

#CapePioneer #CapePioneer2026 #MTBStageRace #MountainBiking #SouthAfricaMTB

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Two weeks of SA🇿🇦 Countless new memories ❤️

Two weeks filled with incredible landscapes, new connections, unforgettable moments, wildlife, the best coffee (sorry Italy 😉), incredible sunsets and stories we’ll be talking about for a long time🥰

South Africa was so much more than ‘just’ a cyclingholiday😇

Of course, the bikes were a big part of our adventure — they always are. 😉🚲 But we also explored by car, did some touristy things, spotted whales from the roadside, went on a mini safari, enjoyed spring in full bloom 🌻 and met so many wonderful people along the way😃

We stayed in many beautiful places, but we started and ended our trip at @yeboguesthouse 🏡 A place that already feels a little bit like coming home and feel so welcome, where everything feels familiar.

And then there are the trails… 🤩 They are a big part of why we keep coming back. So of course, we couldn’t resist scouting some new ones for our trip with @mtb.southafrica next year👀🚵‍♀️ More about that later… 😇

And now… straight into the next adventure🫣🇦🇼
@laleyendamtb.aruba 🤩🏝️

Excited? VERY😍

I still can’t believe where this love for cycling keeps taking me🥹 Just follow your passion and Be in the Now. 🫶🏻 I’ll keep you spamming 😇

#southafrica #mtbtrails #stellenbosch #mtbadventure

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Best day on the bike ever? 🤩 🇿🇦
Racing through the South African Chandelier bush… and suddenly you’re riding alongside giraffes 🦒🤯

Just another day at the @capepioneer MTB Race 😅🇿🇦

I didn’t even know what I was hearing at first — these loud, deep thumping sounds. And then suddenly, they were running right next to me so close on the left! 🦒🤯

Followed by what I think were a few wildebeest… although you can barely see them because I was way too excited trying to film everything😜

Still processing what just happened today 🇿🇦✨
More about the final stage later, but I simply couldn’t wait to share this😍❤️🫶🏻

#chandelier #chandelierchampagne #racewithsoul #mtbrace #oudtshoorn

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You signed up for a mountainbike stage race in South Africa… 🇿🇦 But honestly, the @capepioneer is about so much more than racing!❤️

It’s the incredible food, the coffee, the wine, the braai, the beers, the pool, the massages, the beautiful surroundings and, most of all, the people🥰

All those little moments that make a stage race an unforgettable adventure!

And yes… there is some real racing involved too😜

This is exactly why we love MTB stageraces. You don’t just ride through a destination — you really experience it!

Pohhh @capepioneer - What an experience🥰🔥
One day to go! ☺️🙏🏻

#oudtshoorn #wilderniss #mtbrace #memoriesforlife

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Here we go @capepioneer 🇿🇦🔥

The past three days have already felt like three weeks. Swipe for the impression ☺️👉🏻
So much has happened, and being back here in South Africa feels even more special than I imagined❤️

We’ve been completely spoiled and relaxed at @yeboguesthouse, and enjoyed the local Lourensford Classic together with locals @ayandawitbooi13 & @barnes.lutho. Such a good start to this adventure🙌

A few years ago, racing here felt like something that was way beyond our reach. And now… I’m actually here! Thnx to @cycloworld.cc 🫶🏻

Off course we ride as a duo / mixed team category. A proper bucket-list adventure as couple 😉

Registration went perfectly, the bikes are ready… so there’s only one thing left to do: ride! 😅

So happy I don’t really get nervous about things like this anymore. I’ll just do what I’m good at: enjoy the moment, embrace the adventure and see what happens🤩❤️

@capepioneer Let’s go! 🇿🇦🔥

#mtbstagerace #wilderniss #gardenroute #racewithsoul

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HERE WE GO!✈️🌍

The biggest adventure month of the year is about to begin… and yes, I’m VERY ready for it!😍🙏🏻

So… what’s on the agenda? 👀

🇿🇦 19 September — @mtb_at_lourensford classic
🇿🇦 22–26 September — @capepioneer / @cycloworld.cc
🇿🇦 Days with @mtb.southafrica to prepare our 2027 trip
🇦🇼 9–11 October — @laleyendamtb.aruba
🇳🇱 18 October — @hammerstone.mtb

A little crazy😅 Just looking at this list makes me so excited🤩

The discipline was always there. Not because I’m particularly good at being disciplined… but simply because moving my body, being outside and riding my bike makes me just so happy❤️

But amongst all the traininghours and adventures, there’s one thing I want to keep doing: listening carefully to my body and enjoy every moment 🙏🏻

I feel no pressure to make every ride perfect. Just ride, explore, laugh, get dirty, eat cake and enjoy the ride🫶🏻

I’m super grateful for everything that’s coming our way!
Stay tuned… 🫶🏻🥳

#cyclingadventures #mountainbiking #gravelcycling #mtblife #mtbrace

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Not every day in the mountains comes with blue skies😇

📍 Bernina 🇨🇭/ Forcola 🇮🇹 🏔️

During our time in Livigno, we did some amazing tours with so many alpine trails — and even with a little rain, this scenery was absolutely incredible🤩

This rain was a complete surprise, because we started in the morning with a clear blue sky! Luckily, we always bring a rain jacket when heading high up into the mountains. 🌧️😅 Still, we saw so many people riding up without one…🙈

But when the trail looks like this, who needs sunshine? 😉 Just sharing some good memories 🫶🏻
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#livigno #livignomtb #mountainbiking #mtblife #cyclingadventure

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Last weekend’s ride on the Veluwe / Posbank was such a good one💜🤩

This is one of my favourite @mtbroutesnl in the Netherlands:
📍 @mtbzuidveluwe Rheden

The variety is just so good: singletracks, optional technical sections, beautiful nature, gravelroads and, of course, the blooming heather at the moment😍💜

And then there were the Highland cows… 🐂
On the trails, next to the trails, along the cycling paths… basically everywhere😅

A little extra slalom training for us😉

I absolutely love it! They definitely make a great ride even more fun🥰 Luckily, they were in a good mood that day — no calves around, I guess😉

So yes, maybe not the best place to chase KOMs… 😂
(But honestly, who cares😉)

Would you dare to pass the Highland cows like this too? 🐂😉
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#mtblife #mtbride #veluwezoom #cyclingnetherlands #scottspark

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August slipt away…
#augustdump #italy #memories #livelife

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Our Livigno MTB Collection is LIVE ☺️🇮🇹🥳

We love coming back to Livigno and over the years we’ve collected so many favourite rides❤️

We get so many questions and messages every time, asking for MTB tips, GPX files and our favourite places in Livigno. So this time, I decided to put it all together in one Komoot collection😃

15 MTB routes, mainly aimed for Cross Country riders (XC or E-MTB): from short to full-day alpine adventures😎🔥

I’ve put quite a lot of time into making the routes, descriptions and tips, so if you find the collection useful, it would mean a lot if you could follow me @mieskuh and @erkerlivigno as a little thank you for the work that went into it 😇💚🙏🏻

And if you’re planning a stay in Livigno, you might find a little something from Erker in the collection description too… 😉

Want the collection?
Comment “LIVIGNO” below and I’ll send you the link in some days😇

Now it’s time to plan your next Livigno adventure!😜🇮🇹

#livignoismagic #mtbtrail #carosello3000livigno #mtblifestyle #stelviooffroad

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🌍 When a shot at the Gravel Worlds turns into pure survival…

🚴 108 km of fast, demanding gravel
📍 2,200 metres of climbing around Singen, Germany
🔥 Heat, an upset stomach and more than 5 litres of fluid
🎯 Our first UCI Gravel World Series race — and one we won’t forget

The course was stunning. The organisation exceeded expectations. The racing felt surprisingly safe.

But sometimes your body has other plans.

Two laps, one serious hydration miscalculation, a handful of life-saving ice cubes and a finish line that suddenly felt more valuable than any qualification.

And yes… those post-race fries tasted incredible. 🍟

🔗 Full details via link in bio

#HegauGravel #GravelWorldSeries #UCIGravel #GravelCycling #GravelRace

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