Jacksonville Coffee Brews Resilience on the Queen Stage: Fueling the Ultimate Endurance Test

Sponsored by Jacksonville Coffee

Stage 5 of the Absa Cape Epic, the infamous Queen Stage, is a titanic 98-kilometer odyssey with 2,850 meters of climbing—a trial of unyielding endurance, mental fortitude, and relentless pacing. Sponsored by Jacksonville Coffee, a brand celebrated for its rich, energizing blends and community-driven spirit, this stage embodies the essence of perseverance. As riders Cobus Olwage (IPT) and Brian Bear (MediCharge) confront the race’s most grueling test, the parallels between Jacksonville Coffee’s mission to fuel passion and the stage’s demands brew a compelling narrative of grit and warmth.

The Queen Stage: A Marathon of Grind

The Queen Stage earns its regal title through sheer brutality. Its relentless climbs—equivalent to ascending the Statue of Liberty 30 times—demand sustained effort, strategic energy management, and moments of respite to refocus. Much like the careful roasting of coffee beans, success here hinges on patience, timing, and mastering the “long brew” of endurance. Technical descents and scorching temperatures compound the challenge, pushing riders to their physical and emotional limits.

“This stage is a slow burn,” says Brian Bear. “You need the tenacity to keep grinding, even when your legs scream to stop. It’s like brewing the perfect cup—every step matters.”

Jacksonville Coffee: Roasting Resilience, One Cup at a Time

Jacksonville Coffee, renowned for ethically sourced beans and small-batch roasting, thrives on turning raw potential into rich, invigorating results. Their process—meticulous, passionate, and community-focused—mirrors the ethos of the Queen Stage. Just as their coffee fuels mornings and inspires connections, Jacksonville’s sponsorship symbolizes the energy and camaraderie that propel riders through the Cape Epic’s darkest hours.

“Coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s a ritual of renewal,” says Clint, Jacksonville Coffee’s Head Roaster. “In the toughest moments, a single cup can reignite focus. That’s what we hope to bring to Stage 5—a spark of warmth and resolve.”

From Bean to Bike: Shared Rituals of Strength

• Fuel for the Climb: Jacksonville’s dark roast mirrors the riders’ need for sustained energy. Just as caffeine sharpens the mind, strategic nutrition and pacing sharpen performance on the trail.
• Moments of Respite: The stage’s brief flats and aid stations offer chances to recover, akin to sipping coffee mid-storm—a small pause to regroup before the next surge.
• Community in the Grind: Jacksonville’s commitment to local farmers reflects the teamwork of Olwage and Bear, who draft off each other’s strength like partners in a shared brew.

Riders as Baristas of the Trail

Preparation for the Queen Stage involved more than physical training; it required mental conditioning. Olwage and Bear studied elevation charts like roast profiles, identifying where to push and where to conserve. “You can’t rush a roast, and you can’t rush this stage,” says Olwage. “Jacksonville’s craft teaches us that greatness takes time—and heat.”

Bear adds, “When the climbs bite, I’ll think of that first sip of coffee—warming, centering, reminding me why I’m here.”

Brewing Triumph on the Summit

By sponsoring Stage 5, Jacksonville Coffee toasts the intersection of craft and courage. Their logo, emblazoned on rider kits, serves as a beacon of warmth amid the race’s frostiest trials. As teams ascend the Queen’s merciless slopes, they carry the spirit of every coffee lover who finds strength in simplicity: Keep grinding. Stay grounded. Rise together.

To Cobus, Brian, and All Warriors of the Queen Stage: May your resolve be as bold as a dark roast, your spirit as bright as a morning brew, and your journey as rich as the community cheering you on. Good luck—every pedal stroke is a step closer to the peak!

Savor Jacksonville Coffee’s Cape Epic journey at https://jacksonvillecoffee.co.za/ and join the conversation with #BrewTheEpic.