nomoregravity Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 You're exactly the typre of rider the Epic is designed for! Keep in mind that in 2014 Christoph Sauser's team mate was František Raboň, who had only swithced over to MTB a few months before riding the Epic (he was a pro road and TT rider) and they ended up in 2nd in the GC. Even the best make mistakes sometimes, even if only i n choosing a partner ;-) 1-1 Christoph Sauser....2015 - Winner (Men) Cat Pos: 1. GC Pos: 1. Time: 31:00.57,7 Stage Wins: Stg 1. Stg 2. Stg 3. Stg 5. Stg 6. (5)2014 - Finisher (Men) Cat Pos: 2. GC Pos: 2. Time: 30:42.22,4 Stage Wins: Stg 3. (1)2013 - Winner (Men) Cat Pos: 1. GC Pos: 1. Time: 29:40.44,9 Stage Wins: Prlg. Stg 4. Stg 5. Stg 6. (4)2012 - Winner (Men) Cat Pos: 1. GC Pos: 1. Time: 31:46.50,5 Stage Wins: Prlg. Stg 1. Stg 3. Stg 4. Stg 5. Stg 7. (6)2011 - Winner (Men) Cat Pos: 1. GC Pos: 1. Time: 28:44.44,0 Stage Wins: Prlg. Stg 1. Stg 2. Stg 4. Stg 5. (5)
Odinson Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 Not really at all - Epic is not a roadie event by any means - it has some of the toughest technical race routes around in SA - it is not as technically easy by any means as your local mtb marathon or xc race - not by a long chalk. Clearly not every stage is equally difficult, but the bits you see on tv are not really reflective of the average difficulty - only the easy places to access get tv cameras Sausers partnering with Rabon was driven by Spez - their reasons for it are their own - but please don't for a moment think that pro roadies don't necessarily have off road skills - plenty of them do - watch this and you will see. I agree that the Epic is both physically and mentally demanding. I also agree that many roadies have excellent bike handling skills and can ride tech terrain easily. However, I disagree that the Epic "has some of the toughest technical race routes around in SA". If it truly did, the participant numbers wouldn't be were they currently are. In my mind it is a dirt road drag, but others may see it differently. Irrespective, if its your thing, enjoy it. I admire those that take the time to train for this event, but don't oversell it as being technically challenging.
Carbon_Kooi Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 I agree that the Epic is both physically and mentally demanding. I also agree that many roadies have excellent bike handling skills and can ride tech terrain easily. However, I disagree that the Epic "has some of the toughest technical race routes around in SA". If it truly did, the participant numbers wouldn't be were they currently are. In my mind it is a dirt road drag, but others may see it differently. Irrespective, if its your thing, enjoy it. I admire those that take the time to train for this event, but don't oversell it as being technically challenging.Can you please elaborate on what you define to be technically challenging?Have you done the Epic?
V12man Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 (edited) but don't oversell it as being technically challenging.And how many times have you ridden it that you can make this assessment? TransBaviaans is a roadie race - Epic is not - it's always full because it is a challenge - more of a challenge than any other mtb race in SA - from every aspect - distance, technical etc, and it is unforgiving - 1 mistake of any type can end your race. So sure - some roadies do ride it - many of them drop out pretty quickly - as do many mtbers.... Perhaps ask some others for their opinions - try JCZA... ask him about day 2 this year... there is a little decent he commented on to me... edit - got the day wrong - day 2 - the segment on strava is called "extreme speed" - let me know how it goes when you ride it (PS - you have to ride it both up and down) Edited October 5, 2016 by V12man Danger Dassie and Underachiever 2
Ofaniy Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 You're exactly the typre of rider the Epic is designed for! Keep in mind that in 2014 Christoph Sauser's team mate was František Raboň, who had only swithced over to MTB a few months before riding the Epic (he was a pro road and TT rider) and they ended up in 2nd in the GC.Seems I should go for pro then. Not too late at 33?
waveduke Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 (edited) However, I disagree that the Epic "has some of the toughest technical race routes around in SA". You need to compare apples with apples. I still have to come across a single day XCM race or stage race that is technically more demanding than the Cape Epic. Of course if your reference is an Enduro race or the downhill sections in Tokai forest than the Cape Epic will come short. Edited October 5, 2016 by waveduke
jcza Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 And how many times have you ridden it that you can make this assessment? TransBaviaans is a roadie race - Epic is not - it's always full because it is a challenge - more of a challenge than any other mtb race in SA - from every aspect - distance, technical etc, and it is unforgiving - 1 mistake of any type can end your race. So sure - some roadies do ride it - many of them drop out pretty quickly - as do many mtbers.... Perhaps ask some others for their opinions - try JCZA... ask him about day 2 this year... there is a little decent he commented on to me... edit - got the day wrong - day 2 - the segment on strava is called "extreme speed" - let me know how it goes when you ride it (PS - you have to ride it both up and down) Stage 2 day 3 wasn't it? Mouth wide open on the way up and eyes wide open on the way down. Only stretches of dirt road I can recall was final day making our way to Meerendal. Miles and miles of fun and great riding. Hopefully I can secure a spot before March! nonky and Danger Dassie 2
Odinson Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 And how many times have you ridden it that you can make this assessment? TransBaviaans is a roadie race - Epic is not - it's always full because it is a challenge - more of a challenge than any other mtb race in SA - from every aspect - distance, technical etc, and it is unforgiving - 1 mistake of any type can end your race. So sure - some roadies do ride it - many of them drop out pretty quickly - as do many mtbers.... Perhaps ask some others for their opinions - try JCZA... ask him about day 2 this year... there is a little decent he commented on to me... edit - got the day wrong - day 2 - the segment on strava is called "extreme speed" - let me know how it goes when you ride it (PS - you have to ride it both up and down) I demand video evidence of these technical sections.
Velouria Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 I demand video evidence of these technical sections.https://youtu.be/_qIgd7ndkxo
V12man Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 https://youtu.be/_qIgd7ndkxoDamn but that's nauseating to watch on a phone.
Tatt Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 And how many times have you ridden it that you can make this assessment? TransBaviaans is a roadie race - Epic is not - it's always full because it is a challenge - more of a challenge than any other mtb race in SA - from every aspect - distance, technical etc, and it is unforgiving - 1 mistake of any type can end your race. So sure - some roadies do ride it - many of them drop out pretty quickly - as do many mtbers.... Perhaps ask some others for their opinions - try JCZA... ask him about day 2 this year... there is a little decent he commented on to me... edit - got the day wrong - day 2 - the segment on strava is called "extreme speed" - let me know how it goes when you ride it (PS - you have to ride it both up and down) Day 2 this year... Probably the only time I would have ever achieved a Strava KOM over a 200m section going up a hill, as they had a few bees at the bottom of that very untechnical climb.... V12man 1
V12man Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 If only it was more affordable.....yup - but it's been fairly easy to get companies to pay for the charity entries - ask nicely well in advance if you work for a corporate is my best suggestion. Danger Dassie and Tatt 2
Gen Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 Good news is that we will probably have a chance to meet Nino at Helderberg and Jonkers early next year.Very cool that he will be back for the Epic. BUT he normally spends a lot of time in SA between Jan - March regardless of whether he is doing the epic..
V12man Posted October 5, 2016 Posted October 5, 2016 Day 2 this year... Probably the only time I would have ever achieved a Strava KOM over a 200m section going up a hill, as they had a few bees at the bottom of that very untechnical climb....That's not a climb - flat like the spruit... Tatt and nonky 2
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