'Dale Posted March 26, 2018 Share Fumic is one of the coolest ambassadors for the sport.Highly respected in the bunch. It was the chase for podium deep into one of the toughest stage races on the planet.If it was deliberate, there would've been a matter for the officials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathrix Posted March 26, 2018 Share Variable terrain.... ? Worst thing he does not even appear to show any concern Agreed.Not very sportsmanlike.Win at all cost, or should i say, podium at all cost... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Dale Posted March 26, 2018 Share I have an immune system that is normally invincible (sick about once every 5 years, 12 years since I last had a tummy bug) and I came down the night before queen stage. I do not consume gels / sugary drinks and practise good hygiene so it would be unfair to lay the blame at the door of those of us who got it.By the end of the Wednesday, unconfirmed reports say that over 200 people had been treated for gastro.There are many areas where the spread of illness could have been averted.Better sanitation: There is virtually no running water in the race village - the 11 taps of potable water for all the riders are used for washing and filling bottles, brushing teeth, washing faces and hands ... and then non-potable water at the showers for washing clothing. Other than this, only hand sanitizer or the wipes you get at the supermarket for cleaning trolley handles)Staff toilets not equipped with hand sanitizer (trust me when you have a tummy bug, you have to use whatever portaloo is closest and the thought of people touching my food, suitcase, bike, ... after using these loos is not a nice one)Get the professionals in to assist instead of pretending there's no problem. This is an increasing problem each year. Epidemiologists specialise in locating the source and preventing the spread of illness and could have helped prevent this in 2018 / could help prevent it again in 2019 Congratz on your achievement, Rapunzel. It appears that many standards have dropped or deteriorated for this world-class event.There were concerns about the quality of service around food and drink last edition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathrix Posted March 26, 2018 Share Fumic is one of the coolest ambassadors for the sport.Highly respected in the bunch. It was the chase for podium deep into one of the toughest stage races on the planet.If it was deliberate, there would've been a matter for the officials. I don't believe it was deliberate at all, it was an accident, but, like i said above... Not even a mention of the incident on his instagram feed to say "sorry bro, hope you are okay, my bad" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchelicious Posted March 26, 2018 Share Fumic is one of the coolest ambassadors for the sport.Highly respected in the bunch. It was the chase for podium deep into one of the toughest stage races on the planet.If it was deliberate, there would've been a matter for the officials.Exactly why I am so shocked, he supposed to be one of the cool guys. Lets see what he says. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velouria Posted March 26, 2018 Share Regarding this debate about the Epic being easy/not hard I'll say that NO damn epic is easy but it's nearly impossible to gauge just how hard the epic might be Riders that have done every single epic will probably say 2008 and 2017 were the hardest epics but that's just me grabbing at imaginary straws Just like any bike ride, whether it's taking your kid to school, or doing a 24hr race, the Epic is as tough as you make it. Sit on the rivet for 8 days and it's the toughest thing out there. Ride with a (slightly) weaker partner so that you're in your comfort zone, and it's bearable. Sure, the conditions and the terrain play a factor, but they are the same for everyone. Prepare correctly, and you can take the conditions out of the equation. 2008 was tough - the last Knysna to Lourensford edition - so big miles and long days "racing". 2017 was tough because of the heat, although the terrain wasn't that demanding. My toughest Epic was 2007 - my first one. Long days. Tough riding conditions. Minimal off the bike support. But the thing I remember most about that Epic was the amount of hike-a-bike we did. I think I spent half of that Epic with my bike on my back. Oh yes - and what about 2009 where we had a 4km hike-a-bike section over the mountains from Villiersdorp to Greyton. And then there was the one where I don't remember much - 2013. I'm so glad I bought the photo package because all I remember is the desire to get off my bike, crawl up into a ball, and cry myself to sleep. There wasn't an easy kilometre all week - our own fault because we were "racing". To everyone that finished - well done. It's a remarkable achievement (especially for us privateers). Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Bask in your glory, chill for a week or two, and enjoy the super strong legs that you'll have in about a month's time!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicoBoshoff Posted March 26, 2018 Share Meanwhile Brett Rheeder made more money this weekend taking two runs down Rotorua Slopestyle course than the winning team at the Epic. And he didn't have to sleep in a tent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathrix Posted March 26, 2018 Share Meanwhile Brett Rheeder made more money this weekend taking two runs down Rotorua Slopestyle course than the winning team at the Epic. And he didn't have to sleep in a tent Don't think the winning team slept in tents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchelicious Posted March 26, 2018 Share Meanwhile Brett Rheeder made more money this weekend taking two runs down Rotorua Slopestyle course than the winning team at the Epic. And he didn't have to sleep in a tent We should arrange a mass rally and go save these pro MTBers from the people who are holding the guns to their heads forcing them to ride bikes for a living. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicoBoshoff Posted March 26, 2018 Share We should arrange a mass rally and go save these pro MTBers from the people who are holding the guns to their heads forcing them to ride bikes for a living.Bit of a leap there. Simply poking fun at the irony that riders at the absolute fringe of the sport (I mean how many people reading this will now first Google Brett Rheeder, Crankworx and Slopestyle) are getting bigger paydays than the winners (combined) of the Tour de France of Mountainbiking (not that I've ever seen a boep finish the Tour). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odinson Posted March 26, 2018 Share Bit of a leap there. Simply poking fun at the irony that riders at the absolute fringe of the sport (I mean how many people reading this will now first Google Brett Rheeder, Crankworx and Slopestyle) are getting bigger paydays than the winners (combined) of the Tour de France of Mountainbiking (not that I've ever seen a boep finish the Tour). I think globally that Crankworx and the big slopestyle events might pull in bigger numbers than the Epic. SA is just focussed on XC and very few people there give a **** about the rest of the MTBing universe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headshot Posted March 26, 2018 Share Bit of a leap there. Simply poking fun at the irony that riders at the absolute fringe of the sport (I mean how many people reading this will now first Google Brett Rheeder, Crankworx and Slopestyle) are getting bigger paydays than the winners (combined) of the Tour de France of Mountainbiking (not that I've ever seen a boep finish the Tour).Its only in this country that MTB is seen through the marathon lens almost exclusively, so Rheeder and his achievements are far more widely known world wide than here in blinkered SA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldron Posted March 26, 2018 Share Its only in this country that MTB is seen through the marathon lens almost exclusively, so Rheeder and his achievements are far more widely known world wide than here in blinkered SA. I don't know about that. In my circle I'd put knowledge of Rheeder at >90%. Just because the race scene in SA is marathon focused doesn't meant other styles are not followed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headshot Posted March 26, 2018 Share I don't know about that. In my circle I'd put knowledge of Rheeder at >90%. Just because the race scene in SA is marathon focused doesn't meant other styles are not followed.Are those your Copenhagen homies or the local ones :-) I am going to ask one of my local Whatsapp groups who Brett Rheeder is and see who knows. Report to follow. Obviously I generalized a bit, but what I find is that people here are rather stuck in their particular mold. They absorb the mainstream MTB culture which here is all about the Epic and which is seen as the pinnacle of biking achievement bar none. That said when you have Darkfest thrust down your throat and decent trails being built all over, it starts getting harder to avoid the other stuff... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldron Posted March 26, 2018 Share Are those your Copenhagen homies or the local ones :-) I am going to ask one of my local Whatsapp groups who Brett Rheeder is and see who knows. Report to follow. Obviously I generalized a bit, but what I find is that people here are rather stuck in their particular mold. They absorb the mainstream MTB culture which here is all about the Epic and which is seen as the pinnacle of biking achievement bar none. That said when you have Darkfest thrust down your throat and decent trails being built all over, it starts getting harder to avoid the other stuff...SA homies of course - over here precious few have heard of the Epic :-) Slopestyle style events will always be nichey because the skill set is pretty far removed from Mr. Joe average but that doesn't mean it isn't followed/popular... Hell people love supercars but very few have owned or driven one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTBeer Posted March 26, 2018 Share Are those your Copenhagen homies or the local ones :-) I am going to ask one of my local Whatsapp groups who Brett Rheeder is and see who knows. Report to follow. Obviously I generalized a bit, but what I find is that people here are rather stuck in their particular mold. They absorb the mainstream MTB culture which here is all about the Epic and which is seen as the pinnacle of biking achievement bar none. That said when you have Darkfest thrust down your throat and decent trails being built all over, it starts getting harder to avoid the other stuff...there is a third group of MTB riders here in SA (myself included). We don't particularly enjoy marathon stuff AND we've never heard of Brett Rheeder...We just ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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