GLuvsMtb Posted April 3, 2012 Share 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.Are you saying that all the pro continental teams in the TDF has a shot at winning? Doubt it very much. The who's who of marathon racing was there. The XC guys are focussing on the olympics. I don't see the same guys doing the 400m and the marathon at the olympics, so to see something similar in MTB is very unique. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkysa Posted April 3, 2012 Share If you had to estimate roughly.... how many km's in total did you have to walk? I would say between 6-7km. 3 climbs on stage 11 climb stage 31 climb Stage 4 (Charlies Hell) And a few bits here and there. I recon you would ride more if everyone was not pushing in front of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Unit Posted April 3, 2012 Share 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.Thanks for the perspective. I'm glad you didn't say something like 'it was the easiest Epic ever'. From the sound of things I really dodged a bullet by skipping the super-hard argus :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iwan Kemp Posted April 3, 2012 Share Maybe, but I would rather wait for the route launch before I go throwing 40k around.For that money I will treat myself to 1 x Whistler holiday AND 1x bike trip through UK AND 1 x bike trip through Spain. I'll come home with cash in my pocket and a lifetimes stories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyMike Posted April 17, 2012 Share As a 1st time Epic rider (and finisher), I obviously cant comment on previous races. I did however have the best week of my life riding the 2012 version. Yes it was tough, its the Epic, so if you expected anything less youre a fool. Having done some decent preparation for the race over the last 6 months, I was very lucky to never hit the wall or have a day that I wanted to quit. What was amazing is that each day seemed to get tougher (with the exception of the fast Tuesday stage) and I wouldnt of had it any other way. The spirit amongst the riders was superb and to ride alongside riders from around the globe was brilliant. Every consecutive day you were challenged to conquer a tougher stage than before and that made the acheivement more valuable for me. The argument that it's expensive is a mute point for me. It's a one of a kind event in SA and is on the majority of SA MTB's bucket lists. Once you have been there and seen what it takes to put an event like this together you will understand the costs. Yes you can go ride overseas...blah blah blah, but thats not riding an Epic. Will I rush back to the Epic? I dont know, but I am sure our paths will cross again, for now there are new trails to ride in other magnificent parts of our country. Edited April 17, 2012 by rockhopper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underachiever Posted April 17, 2012 Share Count me crazy then .... that's the one I have set my sights on (quite possibly a big mistake!) LEL in 2013, 200 km longer than PBP. I've done the Epic and to be honest it was not THAT difficult. PBP is one HUGE mental challenge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkerr Posted April 17, 2012 Share LEL in 2013, 200 km longer than PBP. I've done the Epic and to be honest it was not THAT difficult. PBP is one HUGE mental challenge! Count me even crazier then ... also training towards the LEL too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Unit Posted April 17, 2012 Share LEL in 2013, 200 km longer than PBP. I've done the Epic and to be honest it was not THAT difficult. PBP is one HUGE mental challenge! 'scuse my ignorance, but what are PBP and LEL? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted April 17, 2012 Share 'scuse my ignorance, but what are PBP and LEL? Long distance Audax endurance rides PBP = Paris Brest Paris LEL = London Edinburgh London Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Unit Posted April 17, 2012 Share Long distance Audax endurance rides PBP = Paris Brest Paris LEL = London Edinburgh London Thanks. Will research to avoid further embarrassment :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eitan Posted April 17, 2012 Share Its interesting how people who have never done the Epic say it is expensive; those who did say "I cant afford it"..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramrod Posted April 17, 2012 Share It is definatly on my bucket list. Just to say i have finished the Epic. I think for any mtb rider it is an accomplishment. And yes, i am one of those that will keep my sticker only bike. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garfield2010 Posted April 18, 2012 Share It is definatly on my bucket list. Just to say i have finished the Epic. I think for any mtb rider it is an accomplishment. And yes, i am one of those that will keep my sticker only bike. lol If I do the Epic I will have a custome EPIC paintjob done to my bike which is like forever permanent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I FLY Posted April 18, 2012 Share If I do the Epic I will have a custome EPIC paintjob done to my bike which is like forever permanent Why? All your friends know that you have done an Epic(s) and the 1st thing that a new mtber in your group asks is " Who has done the Epic?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bike Mob Posted April 18, 2012 Share I would say between 6-7km. 3 climbs on stage 11 climb stage 31 climb Stage 4 (Charlies Hell) And a few bits here and there. I reckon you would ride more if everyone was not pushing in front of you. I agree, it seems like a little, but when the terrain is either loose rocks or stones or between 20-25% gradient, 5km seems like a damn far way!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garfield2010 Posted April 18, 2012 Share Why? All your friends know that you have done an Epic(s) and the 1st thing that a new mtber in your group asks is " Who has done the Epic?" Because soon I will tire of telling everyone that I have done the Epic. I will also paint the epic theme on my car and get 3 epic tattoos (one on the back of my neck, one on my chest and one on my calf). Does anyone know if there is an Epic tie that I can buy and wear to work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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