Underachiever Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 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. Oh yes - and what about 2009 where we had a 4km hike-a-bike section over the mountains from Villiersdorp to Greyton. 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!! Agree fully with your post. My 2009 Epic was relative easy (I remember the hike), since I was stronger than my partner, and I slept well every night. The tables turned in the 2012 Cape Pioneer where he was stronger, I didn't sleep well, so I was in the red for days 4-6. Those 3 days were pure hell.
Underachiever Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 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 With reference to some posts of last year. Glad I didn't pay the big bucks to be treated like a "troep" for a week, and then get ill too. Having said that, the race is a "bucket list" event and I'm glad I got my chance in 2009 when the race was smaller and marginally better organised.
Velouria Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 With reference to some posts of last year. Glad I didn't pay the big bucks to be treated like a "troep" for a week, and then get ill too. Having said that, the race is a "bucket list" event and I'm glad I got my chance in 2009 when the race was smaller and marginally better organised.2009 was probably the sweet spot. Before the big corporates got involved, and before the crazy entry fees. There was still a cool vibe in the race village. The food was good and plentiful, the volunteers were (and still are) rock stars. There were 600 teams, so it wasn't that much smaller out on the route. There were far less support services though...
FDP Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 I would be really interested in seeing what type of spares/tools those that rode carried along. Apparently some crazy bush mechanics by some backmarkers...
mrcg Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 Exactly why I am so shocked, he supposed to be one of the cool guys. Lets see what he says. Let's remember...not everything plays out on social media or in front of tv cameras.I know enough of Mani that he would have visited Jeremiah and checked in on him and they would've chatted about it.If not, then they're both pro enough to understand the situation: racing, **** happens (esp. when fatigued and in pain and groggy) and the race is paramount. Yes, it seems, sounds and looks uncool to most, but Jeremiah would've done the same racing for 2nd/3rd GC podium. And we also didn't hear everything on tv - perhaps Mani said "sorry, you ok?" or something similar...
ScaredShiftless Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 I wonder if the entries for the 2019 edition also sold out in no time like previous years...?
Nick Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 The selling out is a bit of hype. There are only 100 early bird entries available that sell out. Everyone else can still go into the lottery to get entries, if they wish. https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/news/mtb/international-mtb/cape-epic-early-bird-entries-sell-out-instantaneously-r7225
Rapunzel Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 I would be really interested in seeing what type of spares/tools those that rode carried along. Apparently some crazy bush mechanics by some backmarkers...Lots of Europeans still running tubes (for first day or two and then having to do conversions) We, like most, carried multitool, chain link, spare rd hanger, bombs, plugs, plug tool, tyre spanner, tube, tubeless valve and pump. Not a single mechanical for us but the bulk we saw were related to tyres.
Headshot Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 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.Well yes maybe... but you know all about the Epic and are contributing to a thread about the Epic and know very little or nothing about another facet of the sport. So I'd say you fit exactly in the mold of the typical SA mountainbiker. My informal poll revealed that nobody outside my gravity oriented chommas had any idea who Brett Rheeder is...
Odinson Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 Well yes maybe... but you know all about the Epic and are contributing to a thread about the Epic and know very little or nothing about another facet of the sport. So I'd say you fit exactly in the mold of the typical SA mountainbiker. My informal poll revealed that nobody outside my gravity oriented chommas had any idea who Brett Rheeder is... Eggzagery.
Patchelicious Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 Brett Rheeder is getting some good mileage out of this, could probably ask for a raise and make the earning gap even bigger ????????
Escapee.. Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 Brett Rheeder is getting some good mileage out of this, could probably ask for a raise and make the earning gap even bigger Maybe then he can afford to enter next year.
Tatt Posted March 26, 2018 Posted March 26, 2018 I would be really interested in seeing what type of spares/tools those that rode carried along. Apparently some crazy bush mechanics by some backmarkers... My Pyga Fixie for the last 25 kays - cable ties are king... Freewheeling was a bit of a hassle, but luckily only lost the top 3 gears. Photo credit to Hyena Rob. Tom
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.