Epic 2012, How does it rate?

[G-Unit]

I was one of the many newbies this year, and I really dug it! Hype was fantastic, riding was tough and technical and the weather just added that 'Epic' feel. If it weren't for the prIcetag, I'd be back in a heartbeat.

 

Like you guys say, maybe pIck up a cheap entry in Feb next year...

[mtbDobby]

i bombed out of epic last year....I have revenge on my mind and have a paid up early bird entry for next year....I am already crapping myself but that is a good thing!!!

[Shebeen]

i saw a pair at the prologue who apparently had just pulled out - murmured some comment about not feeling well. - they didn't look happy, so wasn't going to ask details. otherwise looks like loads of pairs had a dropped rider by the finish. so that either means it was tough, or there are plenty of fools with too much money and not enough legs.

[Garfield2010]

I have never done the Epic. I have done the Argus which in my opinion is much tougher. What I could also derive from my television set is that this years Epic seem to had too many "free miles" to really be called the Epic.

[robsc]

I have never done the Epic. I have done the Argus which in my opinion is much tougher. What I could also derive from my television set is that this years Epic seem to had too many "free miles" to really be called the Epic.

Is that an April fools statement ?

[Garfield2010]

Is that an April fools statement ?

 

I have done numerous races so I know what I am talking about. The fact that I have made 1,834 posts also automatically gives me street credit.

[rattlesnake]

I have never done the Epic. I have done the Argus which in my opinion is much tougher. What I could also derive from my television set is that this years Epic seem to had too many "free miles" to really be called the Epic.

 

I'm gonna get some popcorn, this could get good...

[GLuvsMtb]

 

Is that an April fools statement ?

Probably just a Fool's statement.

[GLuvsMtb]

 

 

I'm gonna get some popcorn, this could get good...

It's called the "Julius Malema" effect. Say the most rediculous thing you can think of and see if you get a response. I'll have butter with my popcorn please.

[Garfield2010]

Be warned, I will report all nasty and rude comments, and when I report someone they are normally banned.

[Garfield2010]

:w00t: :w00t: :w00t:

[Garfield2010]

Just kidding guys. Maybe one day when I have won the Lotto and can take a full year off from working will I consider entering the Epic. Massive respect to all who have taken part in one (let alone finish the bloody thing!!)

[Gravity Sux]

I have never done the Epic. I have done the Argus which in my opinion is much tougher. What I could also derive from my television set is that this years Epic seem to had too many "free miles" to really be called the Epic.

 

To mention the Epic and Argus in the same sentence is a joke. If you just take the winner's ride time you are doing 14 Argus's in 8 days. If you are speaking about watching the Epic vs Argus I could agree.

[Bike Mob]

I have done three:

 

2008 - Knysna to CT - tough route - severely hot some walking - lots of sand, more walking in sand. pretty fit but early in my career - 147km stage included but fast... TOUGH - This route was longer by a fair bit plus had more climbing.

 

2010 - Less tough but much fitter - raced it so everyday was hard, less walking, more riding, less sand, more dust, thorns... Great race.

 

2012 - Great route, some heat, lots of walking, more walking... Shoes buggered, got blisters from walking. Wind, Dust... then the rain - that made day three's queen stage look like a warm up. compounded by technicals and no brakes.the rest was epic. I'd say the route itself was tough, great mix, but the weather made it that much worse, so it added the mental toughness you needed to get through.

[Christie]

It will be interesting to go look at a list of the top 100 UCI ranked XC and marathon riders in the world, and see how many of them rode the Epic this year. I could not help but think there were only 4 or 5 teams that had the potential to win it this year. For the Epic to be the TDF of mountain biking, the best of the best must be riding.

[Garfield2010]

I have done three:

 

2008 - Knysna to CT - tough route - severely hot some walking - lots of sand, more walking in sand. pretty fit but early in my career - 147km stage included but fast... TOUGH - This route was longer by a fair bit plus had more climbing.

 

2010 - Less tough but much fitter - raced it so everyday was hard, less walking, more riding, less sand, more dust, thorns... Great race.

 

2012 - Great route, some heat, lots of walking, more walking... Shoes buggered, got blisters from walking. Wind, Dust... then the rain - that made day three's queen stage look like a warm up. compounded by technicals and no brakes.the rest was epic. I'd say the route itself was tough, great mix, but the weather made it that much worse, so it added the mental toughness you needed to get through.

 

If you had to estimate roughly.... how many km's in total did you have to walk?