Cape to Cape 2024 set to be sixteenth for Rowan Brown

2024 is set to be Rowan Brown’s sixteenth consecutive Cape to Cape, with the Dunsborough born rider one of two people to ride every edition since it was first held in 2008.

After first finding a taste for two wheels as an eight-year-old, with BMX and triathlons, he quickly found a love for mountain biking and competed at his first WA State Championships as a 12-year-old.

Mountain biking has taken him across the country and to New Zealand and Canada, though the trails of Western Australia’s South West have always been home.

“As an elite competitor, I have enjoyed racing regularly in a number of events around the state, including the Karri Cup, Dwellingup 100 and Kalamunda 50 and getting on the podium on various occasions,” he said.

“I have always enjoyed racing in the State Series and have won the series overall on two occasions.”

Cape to Cape, Australia’s favourite four-day stage race is the race he still looks forward to the most every year.

“Cape to Cape has always been the highlight on my racing calendar. I raced in the first Cape to Cape when I was just 15 years old, and I have raced every single one since.”

Brown still remembers his first Cape to Cape like it was yesterday.

“I remember warming up at that first event with James Williamson, who was the current world 24-hour champ at the time, and being stoked that he would spend the time with a junior rider like me.

Over the years he has tasted success including a podium finish on his home trails.

“Another great memory was making it onto the podium in third place on the final stage of the 2014 race, after getting into a breakaway with Dylan Cooper and Reece Tucknott and managing to hold it for most of the stage.

His run of consecutive appearances almost came to an end last year, when he and his wife learned they were to welcome their first child with the due date just three days before the start. Son, Alfie arrived three weeks early and Brown was able to take to the start and keep the run alive.

2023 would only get better for Brown, as in addition to welcoming his new pride and joy he went on to achieve his best Cape to Cape result and share this moment with his newborn son.

“This turned out to be a really special year for me, as I managed to snag third place overall in the solo category and carry a sleeping Alfie onto the podium with me.

“Then celebrate by opening a bottle of wine gifted to me at the 10th Cape to Cape and sharing it with Jason Dover, as 2023 was his final Cape to Cape.”

While 2024 will be Brown’s 16th time at Cape to Cape, he is already hoping his son will one day join him on the race.

“It’s exciting to think that if Alfie gets into mountain biking, we could one day ride the 30th Cape to Cape together, and Alfie would be the same age as I was at the very first Cape to Cape.”