High Epic drop out rate

[Tubehunter]

I think it depends on the how much of a cyclist you are, as to whether you need to commit more time to the training. By that I mean how long you have been cycling, how decent you are in the skills required and couple this to whether you are riding to just finish or challenge to be in the top 100 teams. If you're someone with a good set of bike skills who can navigate some of the more technical bits and still ride somewhat relaxed than finishing is on the cards without an excessive amount of additional training for just this event, if you naturally have the mental ability to deal with pain..

[splat]

I haven't done any Cape Epic's but was wondering why there is such a high drop out rate.

Anyone an Idea?

 

You don't need tons of training to be effective, so I was just wondering...

 

How much training (on average per week) do you think is required?

Over how many weeks?

 

I am very interested in your answer

[stringbean]

As long as you are mentally tough(and South Africans are IMO) finishing Epic is easy.I know a host of overweight,undertrained,underprepared people who finished Epic no problem.Easy peasy.

[Ryan]

As long as you are mentally tough(and South Africans are IMO) finishing Epic is easy.I know a host of overweight,undertrained,underprepared people who finished Epic no problem.Easy peasy.

 

I tend to agree with you...

 

As long as you dont have any mechanical problems, that would require you to waste time fixing and then have to 'race' faster than you have trained for to make the cut-off.

 

If you put in the hours. 12 - 15 hours a week with a number of back to back long weekend rides you will finish the Epic without too much of a problem.

[Danger Dassie]

Wouldn't say there are "tons" of people not finishing.

This year the drop out rate was something like 12-15% which all considered is pretty low. Think that since something like the Epic has been around for a while now, people are generally better prepared than before.

[Wallee]

tit

T.I.T.S. ?

[NeoDymium]

Lol....this guy is funny..."you don't need tons of training...." Dude, seriously ?? Even the great Lance Armstrong tweeted the the other day that he had the highest respect for guys who did the epic....

[Firemeister]

I haven't done any Cape Epic's but was wondering why there is such a high drop out rate.

Anyone an Idea?

 

You don't need tons of training to be effective, so I was just wondering...

 

Training and fitness is not sufficient to carry you through the epic. You also need good skills and the ability to push your body and mind to the limit. The general pace at the epic is fast (even at the back), and most drop outs is not because of fitness but mainyu due to mechanicals, sickness or diarrhea, fractures, dehytration etc. How many times have you completed the Epic?

[Bike Mob]

Injury is also a big one, overuse and tendonitis seem to be quite high, not to mention crashing.

 

This year hypothermia claimed a fair number of victims, something you wouldn't expect after 3 days of 40 degrees.

 

Nutrition of lack thereof - Some peoples stomach's just reject any more food or drink and you'll quickly realise you cannot complete it like that no matter how strong you are. i have always marvelled at people like this and wondered how that happens, until this year it very nearly happened to me and I was lucky to realise and catch it in time and also thankful that my plan B worked out and in a short time too.

[Bike Mob]

you will also be frightened to know the number of people in previous years that failed due to a simple pimple...

 

Saddle sores infections and the downward spiral that follows

[Wayne Potgieter]

Eat spanish steak, buy something with wheels on and go ride the epic.

 

Its that easy.

[stringbean]

The simpel pimple has put more people out of the epic than undertraining,mechanical etc all put together.Sorry,if you break the skin on your arse you going home.

[Neg]

The simpel pimple has put more people out of the epic than undertraining,mechanical etc all put together.Sorry,if you break the skin on your arse you going home.

 

i just laughed really hard!!!!!!!!! butt (see what i did there) i tend to agree..... breaking the skin is like breaking the seal when drinking.... there is no stopping it!

[G-Unit]

A couple of points:

 

1. You gotta want to finish it. REALLY want to - because at some point it is gonna suck. Crazy hike-a-bike climbs, long sections of thick unrideable sand, 40+ heat etc all take care of the corporate entries who liked the look of the brochure and didn't really know what they were in for.

2. You gotta look after your ass. You cannot ride if you cannot sit. I think this probably takes care of most of the DNF's

3. You gotta eat. If you bonk at a critical moment, you could miss a cut-off.

 

I personally found the training much, much harder than the race, though.

[kandui]

Also include that the route set can also determine how many riders finish. There were at least 2 extensions to the cut-off times I can remember at this year's Epic. The leaders were taking longer than expected, so you can imagine that everyone who follows will also take longer.

It's not strictly 15-20 hours per week that you will need to finish the Epic comfortably. It's more about what you do in that time. My partner and I started reducing our weekly hours to around 12 about 2 months before the Epic. More intensity over shorter periods and less long rides.

As an average rider you can finish the Epic, but why put yourself through the physical and mental anguish when by training more you can get more enjoyment out of the Epic. I don't see the fun in fighting the cut-off each day, rushing to get clean, massaged and fed , before getting to bed dead tired and in pain at 10pm.

[Mr. G]

Do the Epic then edit your post!

 

+1