[Event] Absa Cape Epic

[Slowbee]

Now you're making me sound like a d!ck. I've done the 20 hour a week plus training thing, and by the time you get to Epic you hate everything. You hate your bike. You hate your coach. You hate the event. You hate cycling! And your wife hates you. (At least I've always left each Epic still being friends with my partner).

 

Yes, the entry costs a lot, and it is worth every cent, but you don't have to go crazy on all the extras. Everybody will try to convince you that you have to open your wallet for the latest and greatest thingymagig which will ensure an amazing Epic, but the truth is there are three things that ensure a great Epic. An awesome partner, realistic expectations, and a positive attitude.

so what you doing for the Munga ?

[Jewbacca]

Is training for Epic more hardcore than training for Iron Man or training for something like Freedom Challenge or an Adventure Race like expedition Africa?

 

If not, then I don't see what all the hubbaloo is about.

 

And if so, why?

 

I do/have done all three in a calendar year with pretty much no 'extra' expense.

 

My biggest extra cost is the food bill.... I eat like a horse and a half at the moment and it's not enough!

 

The bike stuff and extra kit stuff is all just nonsense.

 

Put new tires on, make sure you re do your tubeless setup and get the shifting crisp and precise. Then check it every day.

 

Ag, I don't know. I'm probably a pleb.... 

[Velouria]

so what you doing for the Munga ?

After our #BigDayOut (and the 24hr), I'm not so sure about that race. Now that is seriously hardcore!

[nathrix]

Does the glampers get a different medal to the campers?

They should!

 

I'm yet to meet someone who asks whether you roughed it on

I always ask these questions when people tell me they did the epic

 

a 20k hardtail, living in tents and packing sarmies from the breakfast table

HARDCORE and much RESPECT!

 

or if you rode a 120k team edition dual sus, were flown in and out by chopper from the Mount Nelson Presidential suite and have supplements made by a private division at USN.

The option I'll choose if money was no object, admittedly a wooz.

[GLuvsMtb]

 

Does the glampers get a different medal to the campers?

They should!

 

I'm yet to meet someone who asks whether you roughed it on

I always ask these questions when people tell me they did the epic

 

a 20k hardtail, living in tents and packing sarmies from the breakfast table

HARDCORE and much RESPECT!

 

or if you rode a 120k team edition dual sus, were flown in and out by chopper from the Mount Nelson Presidential suite and have supplements made by a private division at USN.

The option I'll choose if money was no object, admittedly a wooz.

Its probably the difference between the Epic and other events. I decided 2 days into BC Bike Race to book more comfortable accommodation for me and the missus. No one asked me at the finishers dinner whether I roughed it and throughout the event no one was remotely interested in how well my bike was specced. What mattered was whether I had a good time on their trails. My BCBR belt buckle is all about what happened during stages, not necessarily what happened in-between stages, but having a comfortable air conditioned room made the in-between stuff much more special.

[GLuvsMtb]

 

Does the glampers get a different medal to the campers?

They should!

 

I'm yet to meet someone who asks whether you roughed it on

I always ask these questions when people tell me they did the epic

 

a 20k hardtail, living in tents and packing sarmies from the breakfast table

HARDCORE and much RESPECT!

 

or if you rode a 120k team edition dual sus, were flown in and out by chopper from the Mount Nelson Presidential suite and have supplements made by a private division at USN.

The option I'll choose if money was no object, admittedly a wooz.

Its probably the difference between the Epic and other events. I decided 2 days into BC Bike Race to book more comfortable accommodation for me and the missus. No one asked me at the finishers dinner whether I roughed it and throughout the event no one was remotely interested in how well my bike was specced. What mattered was whether I had a good time on their trails. My BCBR belt buckle is all about what happened during stages, not necessarily what happened in-between stages, but having a comfortable air conditioned room made the in-between stuff much more special.

[banna]

Are there any actually any 26" in the race this year?  Last I heard/saw was Tom "the snor"  Richey in 2013

 

 

Noooooot bru, me pinning it on my Zula in 2014.

[dev null]

3 years ago my cousin and his partner completed their Epic with a stock standard 26er Giant Anthem (Alu frame) each that they bought before the race, and then sold after the race again.  The bikes cost them 30k each, and I am sure they sold them for 20k at least.  The only tech problem they had was a crank that came loose on one of their bikes.

 

I believe lots of entrants overspend way too much on their equipment, maybe because their companies are paying.  I also wonder how many of these companies write the expense off for tax purposes against marketing expenses.

 

Training-wise:  if you build a good base up over a 2-3 year period, you don't need to go ape-**** the year before the race.

[mazambaan]

No Velouria; not my intention at all - I believe this can be done but you need the right physiology to start I think (Joel bloody Stransky could do it I think for example; although he probably trains like a beast). Some ex roadies just pick up where they left off, de-coke (and swill out most of the rum residues) the engine, warm the tyres, light the fires and they are off.  After each stage they have a few wines and a beer or two; to start that is.

 

Like Comrades, very heavy, long training is good but it puts you on a knife edge as regards getting sick, even injured.

 

Not me; every bit of effort and cunning is needed just to finish 100 odd km on a mtb. Not for 5 days in a row either.

[Velouria]

No Velouria; not my intention at all - I believe this can be done but you need the right physiology to start I think (Joel bloody Stransky could do it I think for example; although he probably trains like a beast). Some ex roadies just pick up where they left off, de-coke (and swill out most of the rum residues) the engine, warm the tyres, light the fires and they are off.  After each stage they have a few wines and a beer or two; to start that is.

 

Like Comrades, very heavy, long training is good but it puts you on a knife edge as regards getting sick, even injured.

 

Not me; every bit of effort and cunning is needed just to finish 100 odd km on a mtb. Not for 5 days in a row either.

Joel is a good example - I was chatting to him at Cape Rouleur. The first Epic he did, back in 2010, he was just aiming to finish (I remember sitting next to him in the shower queue, and he was broken). Sure - he had a good engine, but he wasn't a cyclist. He finished 218th This year he's currently in 73rd. He does a bit of training before work, usually on the road bike, or, on a Watt Bike, and a longer ride or two on weekends. Quality rides. And is far more relaxed about it.

[Kranswurm]

That's probably why  the show orbs the mother city.

 

But I am sure there is something to be had by the socialising in the evenings.

If I did it I would stay in the village.But those on their second could not give a stuff and massage,eat,sleep,eat and ride.

[Stevief]

same applies to you as Wanabe - you better have a decent ride report - or ELSE, I will be forced to send you staffie puppies.

Cant scare me i will never turn down a staff pup 

[jcza]

Higher grade suffering and cramping today and massively technical wagon trail up and down the mountain. Skin and teeth intact, tomorrow we fight again. Rode quite a bit of Tankwa Trek day 1. 

[Lexx]

Higher grade suffering and cramping today and massively technical wagon trail up and down the mountain. Skin and teeth intact, tomorrow we fight again. Rode quite a bit of Tankwa Trek day 1. 

Well Done...

[MEYER1]

Is dit net ek maar dit klink vir my die commentators en die hele epic crew is n  Specialised se gate opgekruip.

[Rick Sanchez]

Wonder how someone like Sagan would do at the Epic. Has a history on the mtb and he's a beast on the bike. Would be interesting to see