rmabreu

For those that never did the Epic, there's no other conclusion possible than "it is hard, very hard". But as all things it is hard up to a point, so if you train well and are relatively fit / technical, it's not "impossible hard". What struck me at the Epic (rode it for the first time this year, finishing top 50% exactly - 308) is that even though all days are hard it is the accumulation of hard days that make it harder than average, not any single day. This year the only day of respite we were supposed to have which was Stage 2 converted into a mud fest, draining a lot more energy from everybody than what it was supposed to. But if you go look at individual days of other ultra-marathons there are probably much harder days. Stage 1 of Brasil Ride in Bahia, Brazil (one of the other 2 UCI ultra-marathons) is arguably much harder than this year's Stages 1 or 5 of the Epic, with 145km, over 3k up and through very dense forest with numerous hike a bike sections and impossibly technical single track downhills. The same was heard of some of the stages of TransAlps (though I did not do it yet). So - very hard, but far from impossible if you commit to the training required... As for paying for it, 120% worth it the first time, incredible logistics, attention to detail, organization, everything. Quite can't compare with NO other race I did to date. As for paying for a second time, in my case the sheer need to fly 12hs to get to it make it a much harder proposition, so the entry fee would not even be the worst part of riding it again... Maybe if the course and/or format is significantly changed it would deserve a second time. And I agree with kandui, the personal feeling of achievement is indeed immense.

What is the weight of the Ti pair?

I also rode in the middle of the pack (we finished 308 in GC), and had ZERO mechanicals or flats. I used the Ra/Ra - Ro/Ro combination in the SnakeSkin version and had no issues at all with the tires, barely needed to calibrate them after each stage (rode with 25PSI). My partner rode Maxxis Crossmarks UST and also had no issues at all. Honestly I believe that a lot has to do with the tires but also a lot has to do with the way you ride them, the lines you select in rocky downhills, etc.

Relatively intense in the sense of having the climbing meters but not the hard effort. Coming from a few weeks of off-days due to a flu before last week, so need to keep building rhythm...

Had an intense week last week with 6 days out of 7, 16hs of saddle time, 380km and 4,000m climbing. This week plans are for a 2hr moderate flat spin tomorrow, 2hs relatively intense climbing session on Wed (1 to 1.5k), zero for Thu and Friday (traveling overnight to SA) and just a quick spin on Sat.

Did a fair amount of riding last week in the new shoes already, so in a sense they are not new anymore...

Had the same input before, and indeed considering a shoe change - I just tried the Spez Evo MTB Shoe, and although it is really stiff for pedaling, it has a much larger contact patch on the sole and is fully rubberized. I found them much better to walk than the Sidis. Question for those who already did the Epic last year: Are there some stages where you do most of the walking and some where you don't need to walk that much? Tks

Maniax, considering that everyone else but you responded, I guess you have your answer.

Thank you V12 man for the tip on the sole, will work on that!

Lots of racers on XTRs pedals from what I hear and concerns on the durability of the EggBeaters, hmmm got me thinking... Although I am pretty light (64kgs) I did have to service pedals more frequently, but the Candy 11s worked for me flawlessly during a whole season of races including the two Epic style 7 day races I did, both of which with no service need. Now that I restarted training heavily on the MTB (was more of a roadie for last year) the Candys are giving me a little bit of an issue with squeaking and creaking, thus the move to new EBs. V12man, I was on Sidi Dragons as well but the 2s, and have just made the switch to the Drakos, and let me say I am blown away by how better and more comfortable they are than the Dragon 2s... Rodrigo

Hi Epic riders, I thought it would be interesting to start a tread on equipment choices for the 2014 Epic, in particular those of tires and pedals, given that bikes are very personal and/or sponsored. I am riding the Epic for the first time, but did 2 similar style ultra-marathons in 2011/2012 - the Brasil Ride 7-day stage race in Bahia - Brazil. They were completely modeled around the Epic and are now one of the 3 UCI-sanctioned ultra marathons together with the Epic and TransAlps. Outstanding race for those who love the Epic, and a huge selection of incredible single track in the middle of it all. Now for the choices, and already asking for advice from those who have ridden the Epic before: I am riding a 14' Epic S-Works 29, and have switched the Fast Track tires to a pair of 2.25 SnakeSkin Schwalbes - Rocket Ron front and Racing Ralph rear. What are you riding and do you believe this is a good pair for the Epic? As for the pedals, I have been riding with a Candy 11, but given the ease of reentry I will switch to EggBeater 11, what are you all riding? Looking forward to next week, and we will show as team ABR - Amigos da Brasil Ride (Friends of Brasil Ride). Rgds Rodrigo

If you're using Garmin 500s, 700s or 800s you can pretty much track everything except the geo coordinates with the GPS off. It will give you power, speed, distance, heart rate, altitude / elevation changes and temperature even with the GPS not enabled...