Absa Cape Epic 2017

[Gen]

Dont know. But I would too.

A mystery we have never solved..Lakata rode the epic while marathon world world champ and couldn't wear his rainbows..no clue

. It may have something to do with UCI points that count for XCO..donno.. but when you all find out lemme know.

[PhilipV]

Maybe because they werent running flat pedals?

Or maybe he needed a shorter stem and a wider bar.

 

But Myles is right, a lot of the riders need to up their skill levels.

We rode where people were walking over stuff that they should have been able to ride.

 

The guys can ride most of the stuff when they are fresh, but when the chips are down, your blood sugar is low and you are racing, then the focus goes out of the window and mistakes happen.

[andydude]

Can someone please be kind enough to explain to me why Nino is riding in Rainbow stripes when Epic is not XCO?

Maybe prologue is seen as XCO?

 

A bit like riding in the world TT champ jersey in a TT stage in the Tour de France although in total it's not a TT?

 

For example here http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/bradley-wiggins-forgot-world-time-trial-champion-156429 Wiggins rode in his world TT jersey at the Tour of Qatar.

[jcza]

Maybe prologue is seen as XCO?

 

A bit like riding in the world TT champ jersey in a TT stage in the Tour de France although in total it's not a TT?

 

For example here http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/bradley-wiggins-forgot-world-time-trial-champion-156429 Wiggins rode in his world TT jersey at the Tour of Qatar.

I get that wearing the stripes in the discipline that you earned it in but I suspect he will still be wearing it tomorrow as he was when he rode with Buys.

[andydude]

I get that wearing the stripes in the discipline that you earned it in but I suspect he will still be wearing it tomorrow as he was when he rode with Buys.

Was just speculating.

 

I don't know the rules at all.

[coppi]

How many races, epics , has he done and competed in on a very high level, I seriously don't think lack of skills is an issue,,,,,shiiit happens but I seriously doubt the man needs a skills course, sometimes shittt "just jumps out in front of you"

My2c

Exactly! Unfortunately there a few ' clever' hubbers on here who are probably just weekend warriors, full of advice.......

 

 

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[Vetseun]

Exactly! Unfortunately there a few ' clever' hubbers on here who are probably just weekend warriors, full of advice.......

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+1000000

[PhilipV]

Exactly! Unfortunately there a few ' clever' hubbers on here who are probably just weekend warriors, full of advice.......

 

 

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+1000000

I have ridden with a few Epic veterans (those amaboepens ouens) who have great legs and Vasbyt, just enough skill to get the tech stuff done. It is when they get tired that the reactions and instinctive reactions are a bit slow. Remember, these okes didn't grow up with xco racing and there skill level is slowly getting better as the Epic gets more demanding. Not a lot of guys go for skills coaching.

 

But it could be anything, sometimes she!te happens. Burry fell due to a branch in the spokes. And he had skills for days. Even the pros crash. That's part of Epic.

I fell twice when riding epic, one was while showing off for a camera man on a river crossing that was deeper than expected, the other was on a straight gravel road while taking off my sunglasses. Fortunately the only damage was wet gear and considerable ego deflation on both occasions.

[Vetseun]

Or maybe he needed a shorter stem and a wider bar.

But Myles is right, a lot of the riders need to up their skill levels.

We rode where people were walking over stuff that they should have been able to ride.

The guys can ride most of the stuff when they are fresh, but when the chips are down, your blood sugar is low and you are racing, then the focus goes out of the window and mistakes happen.

8 Stages. You are definately not going to win it. Maybe I would also rather not take on obstacles that I normally would. It costs a crap load of money, a finishers medal is something to be very proud of. Err on the side of caution rather than risk it?

I think that is how I would do it So maybe not a lack of skills. IMO

[Tatt]

Changing the subject slightly...

 

I found a saddle bag at Hoogekraal just below the scaffolding bridge full of some nice goodies. If any of your mates or relatives are complaining about the loss please let them know it is now at the race office awaiting collection.

 

Tom

[coppi]

Vetseun, I agree and that's how I feel........but just wait for the 'expert' advice to follow

 

 

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[CAAD4]

A saddle bag at Epic??? Don't get Ben start talking about bar ends with riser bars....

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

8 Stages. You are definately not going to win it. Maybe I would also rather not take on obstacles that I normally would. It costs a crap load of money, a finishers medal is something to be very proud of. Err on the side of caution rather than risk it?

I think that is how I would do it So maybe not a lack of skills. IMO

Yeah, you're not going to win it after the prologue, and that is how I would tackle it myself as well... but this same argument rears its head every year, when people end themselves on very simple bits of trail. 

 

All I was pointing out is HOW those 2 accidents could have happened, given my knowledge of the trail. Whether it was lack of skill, tiredness forcing a mistake, a setup issue or a combination of the 3 is something we won't know. But the fact of the matter is that a large majority of epic entrants are NOT technically proficient. They're exceedingly fit, yes. They've ridden races before, yes. But the majority would rather spend hours on jeep track than bettering their technical proficiency.

 

Not saying that I'm good - I am not, but I always try to get better. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Vetseun, I agree and that's how I feel........but just wait for the 'expert' advice to follow

 

 

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No "advice" at all, coppi. Just a simple observation based on my knowledge and experience. 

 

Am I fit enough to do the Epic? No. Am I "qualified" to offer a comment on how those people would have met their end on those features? Yes. It's a very simple thing - they got bucked. How does one get bucked on a jump? In the manners I set out. 

 

As for advice - I'd still recommend that most entrants go for skills training, based on what I see of those circumventing VERY easy obstacles. Same as I'd recommend someone get a fitness coach for an event like this. 

[Tatt]

8 Stages. You are definately not going to win it. Maybe I would also rather not take on obstacles that I normally would. It costs a crap load of money, a finishers medal is something to be very proud of. Err on the side of caution rather than risk it?

I think that is how I would do it So maybe not a lack of skills. IMO

 

Lost my partner on day 1 last year. Went straight into limp mode after that, making sure nothing daft happened. Still did all the obstacles, just with a little more caution than normal.

 

The only time I got speed was when they routes us through the beehives - by the time I got there they were angry and encouraging all riders to take Strava KOM's heading up the Ou Wa Pad.

 

Tom

[DIPSLICK]

Myles honestly I think maybe they just on the different end of the spear as to the speeds they going down there,,,unless I am missing something and over the last few years you have become a pro, I honestly don't know maybe I'm wrong and I will apologize as I always do when I put my foot or my whole leg in it.

You can always jump on the route and prove me wrong