Epic Route comparisons

[Bike Whisperer]

The 2020 Epic route has been announced and I thought I'd update the comparison I did last year.

 

It looks like more of the same as last year... shorter route with high climbing rate / intensity. Coupled with the location (hot, rocky and dry), it will be another tough one.

 

As before, RED is tough, BLUE / GREEN is less tough, but not by any scientific means. As there is limited data of what to include, I simply look at distance, ascent and and ascent rate in m/km terms. For me, distance, coupled with climb intensity is a pretty good measure of overall effort (difficulty), but this is not the case for everyone.

 

(Click on the images to enlarge)

[DieselnDust]

Hi thanks for ths but it doesn't really tell any story. the pictures are pretty.

2008 was 966km and 18500m climbing

2019 was  624 at 16500m ascent. 

These numbers don't really do anything other than to compare topography.

 

to compare fairly you would need rider data, preferably a rider who has ridden all of the events and had similar levels of fitness each year, similar weight and similar levels of aerobic and anaerobic fitness, then you can compare the calorie consumption or average power , average speed etc.

 

I always have a good laugh when I see the early event sby sold off as easier for whatever reason. they were up 300km further to cycle in essentially the same time. To ride faster one needs to expend more energy (energy requirement increases by the square of the velocity)

[Pure Savage]

Only one stage over 100km this year, sho easy peasy. 

 

Catering towards XC more and more.

[DieselnDust]

Only one stage over 100km this year, sho easy peasy. 

 

Catering towards XC more and more.

 

 

Yeah I agree its shifted more to catering for the XCO racers to cater to the UCI pro's coming over. The old format catered more to the XCM racers. this is not a bad thing.

Based on the timing of the event in the calendar they can't make the event too hard as it will conflict with the preparation of the athletes for their main XCO Season. This is one of the reasons they abandoned the longer format. 2020 is an olympic year so to facilitate a competitive field the race organiser has to consider how the event needs to feature in the prep of the riders. They will have consulted the top pro's.

 

Also surprised no one mentioned there's no TT in the middle next year...

[Jewbacca]

I also think it makes for more exciting racing at the front end...

 

Less waterpoints, less logistics, less man hours, less cost... Like I said in the other thread, Wanda group aren't here to tame Africa, they are here to make money.

[Bike Whisperer]

I also think it makes for more exciting racing at the front end...

 

Less waterpoints, less logistics, less man hours, less cost... Like I said in the other thread, Wanda group aren't here to tame Africa, they are here to make money.

 

Maybe I should get their financials and do a R/km profitability graph? Or Ascent/R efficiency.

 

Anyone have a connection with access to that data?

[Pure Savage]

Yeah I agree its shifted more to catering for the XCO racers to cater to the UCI pro's coming over. The old format catered more to the XCM racers. this is not a bad thing.

Based on the timing of the event in the calendar they can't make the event too hard as it will conflict with the preparation of the athletes for their main XCO Season. This is one of the reasons they abandoned the longer format. 2020 is an olympic year so to facilitate a competitive field the race organiser has to consider how the event needs to feature in the prep of the riders. They will have consulted the top pro's.

 

Also surprised no one mentioned there's no TT in the middle next year...

 

They obviously got over people calling it a rest day...

[Jewbacca]

Maybe I should get their financials and do a R/km profitability graph? Or Ascent/R efficiency.

 

Anyone have a connection with access to that data?

More interesting would be to remove the pro's from all data and do a non pro field survey;

 

Rands spent on bike vs KG weighed. Rands spend of 'nutrition' pre/during race vs FTP. An income to performance graph - R earned per month vs Daily positions and all riders should do an 'enduro' type stage where technical segments are micro timed to see what the average skills are like of the field. That will definitely sort out the 'epic is a road race for rich people' debate....

 

Wait... are you being serious?

[Goodbadugly]

The 2020 Epic route has been announced and I thought I'd update the comparison I did last year.

 

It looks like more of the same as last year... shorter route with high climbing rate / intensity. Coupled with the location (hot, rocky and dry), it will be another tough one.

 

As before, RED is tough, BLUE / GREEN is less tough, but not by any scientific means. As there is limited data of what to include, I simply look at distance, ascent and and ascent rate in m/km terms. For me, distance, coupled with climb intensity is a pretty good measure of overall effort (difficulty), but this is not the case for everyone.

 

(Click on the images to enlarge)

nice comparison

thanks

[Bike Whisperer]

More interesting would be to remove the pro's from all data and do a non pro field survey;

 

Rands spent on bike vs KG weighed. Rands spend of 'nutrition' pre/during race vs FTP. An income to performance graph - R earned per month vs Daily positions and all riders should do an 'enduro' type stage where technical segments are micro timed to see what the average skills are like of the field. That will definitely sort out the 'epic is a road race for rich people' debate....

 

Wait... are you being serious?

No

[Jewbacca]

No

hahahahaha sjoe!

 

But that 'Enduro' day is actually not a bad idea.... Like BC bike race but more than 1 segment. Could add some fun.

 

I would call the organisers but I don't speak Mandarin..... 

[DieselnDust]

Enduro style timed sections was pitched to them a few years back. Heck even a Night Stage was pitched and actually seriously considered but ultimately rejected.

the Epic already caters for multisporters if you consider the amount of walkers on the singeltrack....