DNF at Epic

[kosmonooit]

I heard from one of the Epic guys earlier in the year that they have to bank on about 30 - 40% not getting past day 3/4 to be able to turn a decent profit. Not sure why but that was his comment during a sponsors meeting.

 

Jeez I didn't know it was R37K, I was thinking about it but I think I'll head for Jozzi2c next year.

 

That's exactly what I was speculating yesterday .... money in the bank as they say. But still speculative & anecdotal.

[petatodd]

For 37k I'm pretty sure I'd finish. I did Sani for free with no training and 2 weeks notice and I smashed every day as hard as my fat ass would let me. 37k and you know I'm training 20 hours a week for plenty months in advance. Anyone who spunks that much cash and doesn't prepare deserves some ridicule and a whole heap of pain.

 

The Sani or W2W is like half a morning on the Epic for 3 mornings. Yes if you are a fit cyclist and have done the season, you can ride the Epic. Slowly. Ride magazine did that in 2005 by chucking Martin Droske onto the race with a month's notice. He finished in plenty of hours but was very very tired every day.

 

There are so many unknowns. One year we came across one of the favourites for the masters on the side of the road after 20kms on day 1 with a broken derailer. Removed some kit and some links and he had a single speed. 108km on a single speed, missed the cutoff and was kicked off. DNF. He rode all the other days and completed but he is a DNF that year.

 

 

So for 37K you going to carry a spare derailer too, Lucky Luke? Oh yeah, I forget, it's got easier now with service points.

 

Another year my partner bailed after picking up a bug and riding through days 3 and 4, the Doc pulled him off day 5. I finished alone which was not lekker after us 2 training together for 20+ hours a week for 9 months. Of course, we never trained 8 days straight, we are ordinary guys with families and jobs.

 

This year a 4 time Epic finisher bailed day 1. In an ambulance. After a heart attack. No, he was not under prepared, he just had a heart issue that day and nearly died. Luckily he bailed and lived.

 

Very few weekend races can prepare you for or compare to the Epic and if it's not your year to finish then it's not your year.

[scotty]

Speaking of SS, the Epics on now

[T-Bob]

That oke on the SS is making a mockery of gear'd riders and is a legend throughout. Loving it.

[ichnusa]

That oke on the SS is making a mockery of gear'd riders and is a legend throughout. Loving it.

 

William from William's Bike Shop in Somerset West.... legend!

[Chain-L]

 

 

William from William's Bike Shop in Somerset West.... legend!

 

They seem to be falling further behind every day if you compare to other teams on geared bikes that generally seem to finish in more or less the same position in the field every stage. The longer stages hurts them more than the other guys due to spinning out.

 

What an achievement it will ge if they can finish!!

Has it been done before?

[knievel]

Did you see the guy right at the end of show (epic day 3 round up on ss) throw his bike into the gate? What a spoilt brat.

 

Poor sportsmanship at its best!

[flymango]

I'm one of the 2012 DNFs. I spent the last 9 months training, often at the expense of spending time with my eight month old boy...committed to finishing to the extent of obsession, and came in, knowing I had the legs and lungs. Had to pull out, after 10 hours of vomit and sh*t spells on Tuesday night. Trust me, there is nothing more devastating than sitting on the side of the road, with nothing more to give...getting back in the saddle for 500m and repeating. Put that time (and yes, own money) in and you'll understand the feeling. Ironically, it's my boy that gave me the stomache virus. So yes, lots of reasons...but none of them I would guess would be "I thought it would be easy".

 

So sorry to hear!! I wanted to wish you well as we passed each other on our bikes last week at the entrance to the estate. I can't begin to imagine what you must be going through.

[Capcha]

I'm one of the 2012 DNFs. I spent the last 9 months training, often at the expense of spending time with my eight month old boy...committed to finishing to the extent of obsession, and came in, knowing I had the legs and lungs. Had to pull out, after 10 hours of vomit and sh*t spells on Tuesday night. Trust me, there is nothing more devastating than sitting on the side of the road, with nothing more to give...getting back in the saddle for 500m and repeating. Put that time (and yes, own money) in and you'll understand the feeling. Ironically, it's my boy that gave me the stomache virus. So yes, lots of reasons...but none of them I would guess would be "I thought it would be easy".

 

Had that bug for 7 days, only came right yesturday... its no fun. Sorry to hear about that.

[Ranga]

Did you see the guy right at the end of show (epic day 3 round up on ss) throw his bike into the gate? What a spoilt brat.

 

Poor sportsmanship at its best!

 

I saw that last night as well.

What an idiot

[Lucky Luke.]

The Sani or W2W is like half a morning on the Epic for 3 mornings. Yes if you are a fit cyclist and have done the season, you can ride the Epic. Slowly. Ride magazine did that in 2005 by chucking Martin Droske onto the race with a month's notice. He finished in plenty of hours but was very very tired every day.

 

There are so many unknowns. One year we came across one of the favourites for the masters on the side of the road after 20kms on day 1 with a broken derailer. Removed some kit and some links and he had a single speed. 108km on a single speed, missed the cutoff and was kicked off. DNF. He rode all the other days and completed but he is a DNF that year.

 

 

So for 37K you going to carry a spare derailer too, Lucky Luke? Oh yeah, I forget, it's got easier now with service points.

 

Another year my partner bailed after picking up a bug and riding through days 3 and 4, the Doc pulled him off day 5. I finished alone which was not lekker after us 2 training together for 20+ hours a week for 9 months. Of course, we never trained 8 days straight, we are ordinary guys with families and jobs.

 

This year a 4 time Epic finisher bailed day 1. In an ambulance. After a heart attack. No, he was not under prepared, he just had a heart issue that day and nearly died. Luckily he bailed and lived.

 

Very few weekend races can prepare you for or compare to the Epic and if it's not your year to finish then it's not your year.

 

Yep, that's why my post said 'doesn't prepare'. Are all the guy's pushing their way to a three hour prologue and 8 hours + on day 1 victims of bad luck or illness? If they are then I apologise to them like I did to the earlier poster who has had to retire.

 

Just on the derailleur thing. If it was the hanger that broke, yes I'm definitely carrying a spare. Otherwise SS would have to do to if it came to that.

 

As for the fact that the event is hard, I should freaking hope so. If not I'm asking for a refund.

Edited March 29, 2012 by Lucky Luke.

[Tumbleweed]

They seem to be falling further behind every day if you compare to other teams on geared bikes that generally seem to finish in more or less the same position in the field every stage. The longer stages hurts them more than the other guys due to spinning out.

 

What an achievement it will ge if they can finish!!

Has it been done before?

 

I seem to remember a story about two nutters who begged Kevin Vermaak for a late entry, and he agreed as long as they did it on SSs. I think they finished.

[Mellow]

I'm one of the 2012 DNFs. I spent the last 9 months training, often at the expense of spending time with my eight month old boy...committed to finishing to the extent of obsession, and came in, knowing I had the legs and lungs. Had to pull out, after 10 hours of vomit and sh*t spells on Tuesday night. Trust me, there is nothing more devastating than sitting on the side of the road, with nothing more to give...getting back in the saddle for 500m and repeating. Put that time (and yes, own money) in and you'll understand the feeling. Ironically, it's my boy that gave me the stomache virus. So yes, lots of reasons...but none of them I would guess would be "I thought it would be easy".

you did the right thing. You did the yards but just missed out on the glory days. No reason you can't go back and finish.

[walkerr]

I'm one of the 2012 DNFs. I spent the last 9 months training, often at the expense of spending time with my eight month old boy...committed to finishing to the extent of obsession, and came in, knowing I had the legs and lungs. Had to pull out, after 10 hours of vomit and sh*t spells on Tuesday night. Trust me, there is nothing more devastating than sitting on the side of the road, with nothing more to give...getting back in the saddle for 500m and repeating. Put that time (and yes, own money) in and you'll understand the feeling. Ironically, it's my boy that gave me the stomache virus. So yes, lots of reasons...but none of them I would guess would be "I thought it would be easy".

 

Really sorry to hear that man ... nothing worse when you've put heart and soul in to be struck down by illness.

[walkerr]

William from William's Bike Shop in Somerset West.... legend!

 

Top guy - will be going in to see him after he's finished (hopefully) as he's building some wheels up for me. Doing anything MTB on SS deserves big respect in my book.

[Flowta]

They seem to be falling further behind every day if you compare to other teams on geared bikes that generally seem to finish in more or less the same position in the field every stage. The longer stages hurts them more than the other guys due to spinning out.

 

What an achievement it will ge if they can finish!!

Has it been done before?

 

I reckon days where there are long flat sections are the most difficult as you have to spin at +140rpm at times.

 

Uphills and downhills they will hold their own.