General Cape Epic cutoff times

[Witkop]

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 .

 

If you make it a UCI race then that is what it is, a "race only elite riders can enter". You cannot and should not mix fun riding with UCI racing. If a fun rider wants the cape epic experience it would be better that he climbs on his bike in CT and gets off in Knysna, and stays in comfortable guest houses on the way. That is the philosopht of another challnege, which starts in Pietersburg and ends in CT called the FREEDOM something or other. (which is not a race, although people race it).

[dirtrider]

If you make it a UCI race then that is what it is, a "race only elite riders can enter". You cannot and should not mix fun riding with UCI racing. If a fun rider wants the cape epic experience it would be better that he climbs on his bike in CT and gets off in Knysna, and stays in comfortable guest houses on the way. That is the philosopht of another challnege, which starts in Pietersburg and ends in CT called the FREEDOM something or other. (which is not a race, although people race it).

 

In that case remove the UCI status !! How the hell will anybody be able to host a race like the Epic with only 100 entries ??

[ChUkKy]

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??

 

I do take my hat off to John Smit though... He is one HUGE meneer and that Tallboy he's riding is k@kking big time.

I seriously hope he finishes, Stransky and Terblanch must bring him a beer at the finish on the last day

[DIPSLICK]

I seriously hope he finishes, Stransky and Terblanch must bring him a beer at the finish on the last day

 

like the beers you brought me on our stage race,,,,,mmmmmmmmmmm PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

[ChUkKy]

I seriously hope he finishes, Stransky and Terblanch must bring him a beer at the finish on the last day

 

like the beers you brought me on our stage race,,,,,mmmmmmmmmmm PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

 

You had your arse parked next to the cooler box, must I drink the beer for you too? I can do that

[Guest Smimby]

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.

That medical is to cover the organiser. Do you know how easy it is to get that certificate? Most doctors don't know the full extent the the EPIC.

[fabes]

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.

Stringbean can you please start a nutrition and training thread. I want to be as good as you

[DIPSLICK]

@ cassie well said

 

The REAL heroes are the ones in the second half of the field!!

 

hats off to you!!

IF I RECALL IT WAS LEGEND BURRY WHO SAID THE EXACT SAME THING AFTER ONE OF THE HARD DAYS ON THE EPIC ONCE, he said for them its easy they finish drop there bikes they get serviced washed go for a warm shower a massage, eat, sleep and the back markers still have to wash bikes,fix them get clothes and food packed for next days ride

 

HE SAID THATS HIS HEROS

then again he didnt rate himself as much as most hubbers chirping on the sidelines

[Wyatt Earp]

Stringbean can you please start a nutrition and training thread. I want to be as good as you

 

There always has to be one.

AS they say at the school of superheroes "One hero can save the world"

[Wyatt Earp]

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.

 

Have you done one before ?

I will never forget that third Epic where it rained non stop on day 1.

They extended cut-off by a good few hours, some riders arriving in the dark, if they didn't do that they would have lost half the field.

[TALUS]

@stringbean - how about a Comrades with only 50 runners? You are really missing the point. I presume you are young and still believe nothing can go wrong. Enjoy it while it lasts!

['Dale]

Even if there was no cut-off time, completing this endurance event would be a mammoth task

 

More time in the saddle - less time to rest and recover from fatigue, injuries, mental exhaustion

 

 

 

[Iron Midge]

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.

 

They extended cut-off by 15 min as the distance was 5km further

[Danger Dassie]

If you make it a UCI race then that is what it is, a "race only elite riders can enter". You cannot and should not mix fun riding with UCI racing. If a fun rider wants the cape epic experience it would be better that he climbs on his bike in CT and gets off in Knysna, and stays in comfortable guest houses on the way. That is the philosopht of another challnege, which starts in Pietersburg and ends in CT called the FREEDOM something or other. (which is not a race, although people race it).

 

The whole point and appeal of the Epic is the fact that serious amateurs, semi-pros and joe average get to ride the exact same route as the world's elite riders. Anyone that finishes it deserves their medal.

Your description of the Freedom Challenge is also off. Maybe some riders do that, but most don't.

[AuctionLamb]

You know about 8 months in advance if you going to ride the Epic, train a bit harder, eat less shyte and you will arrive easily 90min before cut-off. This will give you sufficient time to take a shower eat and recover.

 

To say the guys at the back deserves a lot more credit....no they do not. Bigger medals should be given to the guys in the middle of the pack or more to the front who is a "normal" working person", he most properly sacrificed a lot more sleep time, family time, etc than your slogger at the back. Most of the back markers usually train the minimum to make the cut-off eg. "I am not going to do 5 hours today because I have 10 hours to finish"

 

Everyone who rides the Epic try their best in their capacity to achieve the goal to finish Epic.

 

If you want to take the whole day to finish the stage then you need to deal with the shyte afterwards.

 

P.S - I have done Epic, know a lot of people that has done it including middle and back markers.

[Danger Dassie]

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.

 

Maybe you should read Crow's post last year about the rugby players and ex models. They more than meet the criteria and still do work afterwards. Blogs, interviews etc ...

There's no such thing as a 'free' entry, theres a commitment to it and a big one. All those media entries have to spend a few hours compiling race reports, footage, blogs, edits etc afterwards.