janneman72 Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 Stage 1 cut-off time was 10 hours, 2 teams have finished this stage in more than 10 hours but they can still keep going? How does it work? Tomorrow is 8.5 hours.
Jacques Viljoen Posted March 24, 2014 Posted March 24, 2014 Stage 1 cut-off time was 10 hours, 2 teams have finished this stage in more than 10 hours but they can still keep going? How does it work? Tomorrow is 8.5 hours. It's in the rules if you mis first cut off you can go on but non finisher but if you mis second stage cut off you go home. That is good you could have in day with lots of technical problems would be bad if they just send you home after all that you have put in and it was out of you control. But if you are not fit or strong enough to do Epic you will not make other stages and then you go home Ramrod 1
stringbean Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 The rules arn't written in stone.If they have a bad day because of weather or whatever,they can extend the cut- off.Im sorry but for this reason the Epic has become soft(to allow for the celebraties,old rugby players,ex models etc etc to complete the Epic.)If the epic needs to regain the name of been tough they need to make cut-off 8hrs,and if you havn't made it because of fitness or whatever or 50% of the field gets eliminated so be it. Sidekick Racer, Johan A Marais and Marius 3
mtbDobby Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 yes cut off time is not written in stone - but they will only extend cut off time if the winners of the day come in later than expected due to the conditions. To make a sweeping statement that cut off must be 8 hours come hell or high water otherwise the race is now deemed soft is laughable. the race is for pro's and amatures, thats what makes it unique - I have done plenty mtb races and trust me, the epic is tough no matter what the cut off time is, if you have not trained and are not fit you will not finish and even then you may still not finish due to tough terrain. YUMEYA 1
stringbean Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 I think you need to go watch those back markers,sorry they shouldnt be there.If your aim is just to finish the epic in the 10 hrs every day its a very easy ride.For a race of this standars and for UCI points it has set the level too low. Johan A Marais 1
Jacques Viljoen Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 Yes I see there was a number off team just over 10 hours
mtbDobby Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 after stage 1 there are already 19 riders who are out and plenty more to come
Guest Smimby Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 yes cut off time is not written in stone - but they will only extend cut off time if the winners of the day come in later than expected due to the conditions. To make a sweeping statement that cut off must be 8 hours come hell or high water otherwise the race is now deemed soft is laughable. the race is for pro's and amatures, thats what makes it unique - I have done plenty mtb races and trust me, the epic is tough no matter what the cut off time is, if you have not trained and are not fit you will not finish and even then you may still not finish due to tough terrain. You have never met Stringbean hey? Hence you say he should trust you, that the epic is tough? I looked at some if the back markers and those people should not be on a bike, never mind try to ride the epic. For their own health! And I said. SOME OF THEM!
mtbDobby Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 That is the reason the organiser requires a medical clearance that you are fit enough to take part - as the entry is open to everyone anyone may enter which means its not an exclusive list of race snakes - Not everyone can be a lean mean 70kg mtb racer....should that stop them from having the chance to compete...not in my opinion, that does that detract from the event or make it soft - A back marker out there slogging for 10hours everyday deserves his medal (if they manage to finish) as much as a top 100 rider, perhaps even more so. Jocklaw, Oxter, dirtrider and 4 others 7
dirtrider Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 Ooooh you capetonians are such tough characters ! So what you really suggest is that they make it race that only elite riders can enter and then we start taking those at the back out as well because they not good enough to get a podium ? Get real people please . mrbaker, Trawsaj, Escapee.. and 1 other 4
Dicky DQ Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 That is the reason the organiser requires a medical clearance that you are fit enough to take part - as the entry is open to everyone anyone may enter which means its not an exclusive list of race snakes - Not everyone can be a lean mean 70kg mtb racer....should that stop them from having the chance to compete...not in my opinion, that does that detract from the event or make it soft - A back marker out there slogging for 10hours everyday deserves his medal (if they manage to finish) as much as a top 100 rider, perhaps even more so. Agreed, however I would never do the epic with the aim of just finishing. THAT IS WAY TOO HARD. Looking at some of the back-markers coming in on the cutoff, they never have time to rest. We at least finish, shower, eat lunch, rest, grab a few beers, then we see them coming in as we go to have dinner. They get of the bikes, eat dinner, sort out their stuff and just pass out. Then repeat tomorrow if nothing broke. Waaay to hard in my books. Andrew Steer, Cassie and Escapee.. 3
Cassie Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 I think you need to go watch those back markers,sorry they shouldnt be there.If your aim is just to finish the epic in the 10 hrs every day its a very easy ride.For a race of this standars and for UCI points it has set the level too low.You have never met Stringbean hey? Hence you say he should trust you, that the epic is tough? I looked at some if the back markers and those people should not be on a bike, never mind try to ride the epic. For their own health! And I said. SOME OF THEM! Hmmm...quite harsh opinions these!! My 2c: IF you can afford the entrance fee and IF you can finish in the designated cut-off time....YOU DESERVE TO BE THERE!! Finish & klaar. It is very easy to "slouch on your couch" and make silly comments like these... The only issue I have is with sponsored riders (i.e. celebs and the like) who did not fight / beg / borrow / steal to get an entry ticket!! Not to mention all the hours of preperation not done!! They bail at the slightest bit od discomfort and no harm done and no money wasted (it was sponsor's money)... Those peeps deserve to give their spot up to more deserving riders... What exactly is wrong with finishing every stage just within the allocated time?? Jocklaw, Marius, Epic Rookie and 11 others 14
Cassie Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 Here is a challenge to the Pro's.... Try and ride for 10 hrs straight for 7 days and fix you own bike; prepare your own nutrition for next stage; sleep on a flimsy mattress; wash your own clothes; etc etc. Wonder how many will actually maintain this? The REAL heroes are the ones in the second half of the field!! hats off to you!! Wannabe, Ryan's dad, Jocklaw and 25 others 28
TALUS Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 75% of non-finishers were from overseas. SA withdrawels mostly only one of a team. Maybe the overseas guys and gals are still underestimating this event?
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