mrcg

So, without knowing the trails, but reading that they have some decent technical challenges (which are welcome), I don't consider the distances and ascent sufficient to be classed as a serious enough challenge for experienced and pro riders. Day 1 and 2 are just too short. Own tents are perfectly fine accomodation options, as long as no heavy rain/thundershowers occur. Good luck to all participants

Only trails I know are in Aus. Klein-Aus Vista Hotel/Lodge and camping spot offers great trails. Some very tough. Speak to Piet Swiegers, who's made the trails and is a very strong and capable rider too

Thanks for the details. Question: is the epoxy strong enough for such a high torque spot? Anyway, will hit up Nild and see what he says. Thanks again

Sorry for the highjack. Have a set of carbon cranks (left crank) where the pedal insert has been stripped. Would you guys recommend a helicoil insert? Needs to be reverse thread. Bike shop didn't find anybody who could provide a reverse thread helicoil. Any recommendations for who could assist? Much appreciated

Guys, a loaf of bread has also increased by more than 100% over the last year's, in step with everything else. So in relation to that, the event is actually virtually the 'same' price, relatively speaking. So, still a bargain and one of the best events around, with awesome tracks and a fantastic night ride. Bummed I missed this year, but will be back for next one for sure. Well done Eselfontein for keeping it real

Hey Ouzo, Been having this issue on both tiz and cyclingstream. The picture freezes but commentary is still there. What I do on tiz is go to the below alternates. Those work 100%. Sometimes there is only one, which opens a new advert tab site. You must close that/hit "return/back" and click the play button again. Then it runs perfectly.

Well done Alan. Very good results. Pity he "blew" today.....should've let Nino go earlier and pace himself. Hindsight....... Still, Alan is 3rd in championship. Big up for that!

Guys, all you need is Google. Stream. On your TV, laptop or phone (then linked to your smart TV). No tech savviness needed. Tiz cycling stream carries the MTB too (besides road events).

First up: huge congrats and big up to the definitive GOAT, N1no. What a ride and what a career. Which is possibly why we missed Alan's move: we were witnessing history in the making. I think that's where the live feed should be - with Nino. Maybe we'll get to see Alan's move later. Huge congrats to Alan! Great ride!!

So in quick summary: Route was unrideable in parts according to OP. That's his opinion, which he is entitled to. And he was apparently backed up by other riders. All non-riders of this particular event can't really comment on the specific sections OP is referring to. However, the word "unrideable" is not inclusive and exclusionary. A route is judged from the view (skill, talent, fitness etc.) of the beholder. This is also in part dependent on expectations. What is unclear (and only one poster noted this), is how the condition of the track evolved in the run-up to the events' day and what the organisers felt necessary in preparation of the route, how important they felt making certain adjustments were called for and if a full route inspection by a commissaire actually took place. It is absolutely feasible that the huge amounts of rain dislodged a small rock slide/fall and was responsible for a larger placement of rocks on route. Certain things are also outside of control of organisers. I also feel, expecting them to possibly invest large resources in removing rocks (how big were they - would heavy equipment have been necessary?) is a bit much. Sometimes parts of a route/course will become unrideable (even in contrast to a previous edition) - just jump off, hike and re-mount and carry on. Judge your ride on your own output, challenge completed and lessons learnt. Each ride is unique and provides lessons and improvements. It would be interesting to hear the feedback of any pro who rode, as well as others on these particular sections. So, to close dear OP: in my humble opinion, just because a section or sections were not rideable (due to possible various circumstances) shouldn't determine the overall delivery of this event. The Monster has traditionally marketed itself as tough - sometimes its tougherer than previous. Just go with the flow and try again next year. I would do it yearly (I've done it twice), if I wasn't based in CT. Lastly, the food issue: you should immediately raise this with the respective caterer. Not much an organiser can do there, other than not invite them back (IF this was a common experience of many customers). Peace out

I think if you search/google the internet you might find some free streams e.g. Tiz-cycling, which has a mountain bike category. Not sure they will be live streaming, but I've always found some stream somewhere. It might be with ads at times, but one can mostly work around that

Re food at epic: the saving grace was always the Woolies spread at the finish each day. Properly packaged (although too much plastic), good quality and variety. It was excellent to top up on required carbs, protein etc. The wet towel after hot days in the saddle were lifesavers. Can't speak to this year's edition, as I wasn't there. Food at main tent (brekkie, dinner): it has always been average to poor, with few exceptions. Has always been my biggest gripe. The caterers try their best, but they haven't employed the best. Not enough emphasis on hygiene (also a big rider problem!). Water points: not sure what the setup was this year, but last year there were individually packed portions to exactly prevent the "slobber and grab". Again, this is also rider problem: unaware, don't care or just plain lazy (not all, but enough for it to be a problem for all). Ablutions: this is also a big rider problem, as they mainly feel entitled to have people clean up after them (motto: I've paid for it). Same with food hygiene: too many riders are just too lazy or unaware. With the amount of riders passing through the various stations (look, showers etc), the cleaning crew struggle to keep up at peak times. That said, we also know the motivation of most cleaners.... Bottom line: Epic is on a major cost saving drive to bring costs down as much as possible. Hence not getting the best e.g. caterers - many services have fallen by the wayside. Of course it's all a profit calculation, but there is a fine line. However, this won't (currently) keep the riders/entrants away. Many more riders, as increasingly voiced by many, will just find their own accommodation and food solutions. Which is another substantial cost implication. Maybe one day, the "village" might even disappear, similar to overseas events (where catering and tents are not the norm). The standard set by Sani2c/Joburg2c in terms of hospitality will never be reached again - think they've also lowered the standard themselves due to cost vs entry cost price pain point of riders

How did you enter? Check their website for info and contacts. Or just Google. Plenty options

Congrats to Spez! Very happy for Matt. At least we have another Saffa winner. Such a pity Amy and Candice couldn't provide the win. Hopefully next year a new try. Congrats to SCR and Scott for an awesome finish to this Epic. Interesting news from SCR on build up to their Epic. At least Nino will be back next year to try get his 3rd win. He just needs to find a teammate who is a bit closer to his level. Congrats to all the other jersey winners too. AND all finishers. Over and out

Live stream and coverage slightly disappointing: very little visuals of Scott team, as well as ladies. Perfect overall conditions today for helicopters, e-bike coverage etc, so not sure why the production is a little off. We mainly see the lead group, which is fine but cutting to Scott/chasers as well as women should be done frequently in between. Areas for improvement

SCR on the attack with the last "flattish" stretch to the finish. Don't think they can get away much from Matt. Seems like maybe Chris isn't a big watt bomb on the flats, compared to the others. But am sure Matt will bring him back all the time. So still sticking with my prediction: SCR for stage win, Spez for overall title and Scott 2nd in GC. Let's see

I think it's been all too much for Amy and she just finally cracked. Totally understandable, after all she has been through this week. Just a side note on her wheel/rim damage: having seen the footage of incident, this is a small technical error she made in my mind. Perhaps she was slightly unsighted by rider in front of her (Sophia or Kat?), but one should always try to jump any "depression"/gap/hole in trail, especially at speed to prevent impact of wheel/drive train.

I timed the gap at +-2:30 at moment. Seems SCR not as strong today after yesterday's efforts. Spez and SCR cooperating to widen gap to Scott. Think SCR will try to get the stage win and Spez getting the overall.

Wishing all riders a great last day of riding! Feel for Andri (and Nino), but the best team wins. Also holding thumbs for Spez team (go Matt!) and a little for SCR. Gonna be exciting racing! Same for the ladies. Yellow jersey is essentially down up, but hope they race lekker too

Well Robbie, when I did it in 2017, it was super hot. Stage 1 (Hermanus) was well over 40°C and people suffered badly. Cut off was extended (don't recall how much). Stage 2 woke up to the same heat and the decision was taken to stop the race after 70km (if I remember correctly). So essentially shaving off +-30km, which translates to about 2h ride time on average. So, essentially the same as a cut-off time extension.

Yeah, this with some illuminating YouTube footage (see e.g. Craig Kolesky Stage 6 footage) shows that large portions of the latter track were just unrideable (floods, thick mud build up in bike), forcing riders to walk long sections. This walking seriously impacts your times. As we know conditions worsen with time, notably with 100's of wheels churning up the muck. Under those conditions, it is only fair to adjust cut-off. I even think they were not liberal enough. Craig is a midpack rider (his assertion), so just imagine latter groups, who admittedly usually lack in various departments. Nevertheless, I think it was only fair, as conditions moved into a category window well beyond what can be reasonably expected. Moral of the story: unless you were there and rode it, you just cannot ever judge.

Oh dear .....wheels are coming off for Candice and Amy. 35min down

No way will N1no go for a stage win. They will only defend the lead and mark as much as possible. Main goal is to get Andri over the course in the least time possible

Ladies: first three teams through the 54km mark. Waiting on Candice and Amy, but they are still at least 15min down.....rotten luck