Really, No Epic 2023 Thread?

[devvydoesdonuts]

16 hours ago, J Wakefield said:

I will finish off and say from a hygienic environment the epic rates up there as some of the worst I have seen overall. Health history shows this throughout the event. 

My riding partner was saying this exact thing this past weekend, he did Epic last year and said that the hygiene is so poor. He said if he does Epic again he will do B&B and try stay away from the crowds where possible.

[Carmichael]

3 minutes ago, devvydoesdonuts said:

My riding partner was saying this exact thing this past weekend, he did Epic last year and said that the hygiene is so poor. He said if he does Epic again he will do B&B and try stay away from the crowds where possible.

Those Porta loos looks worse than what our site portas look... It was disgusting. 

[devvydoesdonuts]

3 minutes ago, Carmichael said:

Those Porta loos looks worse than what our site portas look... It was disgusting. 

Cape Epic is supposed to be one of the most prestigious MTB events in the world, but every year I hear of the riders coming back not happy with the standard of this event. They make 10's of millions hosting this event, I understand that farmers, suppliers, etc, need to be paid and a lot of money goes into getting the event going but supplying some decent food and clean toilets cannot be that difficult, or cost too much. 

[W@nted]

1 hour ago, devvydoesdonuts said:

Cape Epic is supposed to be one of the most prestigious MTB events in the world, but every year I hear of the riders coming back not happy with the standard of this event. They make 10's of millions hosting this event, I understand that farmers, suppliers, etc, need to be paid and a lot of money goes into getting the event going but supplying some decent food and clean toilets cannot be that difficult, or cost too much. 

Good points.

 

Are there stats available on the breakdown of epic participants that are staying on site, using the epic tents and catering? Vs the participants staying in BnB/hotels? Then, for those in BnB/hotels, do they pay a cheaper epic entry fee? (Like the different w2w packages)

Edited March 29, 2023 by W@nted

[DieselnDust]

2 hours ago, Carmichael said:

Ah now i click, that is why i could not find the woolies coffee stand in the village.. just Vida.... 

Vida came in board this year. Woolies provided the post race food/ food in the tent was cooked by a different supplier. As far as I know it’s still the same vendor for many years.

1 hour ago, devvydoesdonuts said:

My riding partner was saying this exact thing this past weekend, he did Epic last year and said that the hygiene is so poor. He said if he does Epic again he will do B&B and try stay away from the crowds where possible.

Yes it is poor, but your biggest problem is all the okes dipping their hands into the water point nutrition, sweating all all the food, sneezing and dipping snot everywhere. I used only my packed race nutrition unless I ran out. Then the porta loo’s are just disgusting. Imagine walking into a porta loo and finding a steamy loaf on top of the seat instead of inside the bowl. The hygiene is both a systemic problem and people problem 

1 hour ago, Carmichael said:

Those Porta loos looks worse than what our site portas look... It was disgusting. 

1 hour ago, devvydoesdonuts said:

Cape Epic is supposed to be one of the most prestigious MTB events in the world, but every year I hear of the riders coming back not happy with the standard of this event. They make 10's of millions hosting this event, I understand that farmers, suppliers, etc, need to be paid and a lot of money goes into getting the event going but supplying some decent food and clean toilets cannot be that difficult, or cost too much. 

the food at dinner is generally good. Lunch is also lekker. Breakfast needs work. The scrambled eggs look and taste like something that was regurgitated. I experienced ed this for 7 straight mornings in 2018 and 3 in 2016. It’s a regular complaint that doesn’t get addressed.

water point nutrition needs improvement. Either leave the smalcks wrapped out or have standard packs in brown paper bags and riders can just grab and go. Stow what isn’t used, but sipping snot covered fingers that also likely got intimate with your crotch Many times as riders are usually uncomfortable by day 2/3. Yes it’s 🤢 

[devvydoesdonuts]

4 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

Yes it is poor, but your biggest problem is all the okes dipping their hands into the water point nutrition, sweating all all the food, sneezing and dipping snot everywhere. I used only my packed race nutrition unless I ran out. Then the porta loo’s are just disgusting. Imagine walking into a porta loo and finding a steamy loaf on top of the seat instead of inside the bowl. The hygiene is both a systemic problem and people problem 

water point nutrition needs improvement. Either leave the smalcks wrapped out or have standard packs in brown paper bags and riders can just grab and go. Stow what isn’t used, but sipping snot covered fingers that also likely got intimate with your crotch Many times as riders are usually uncomfortable by day 2/3. Yes it’s 🤢 

Do they use normal plastic porta loo's or are they using some of the fancier trailer type toilets that have proper toilets and basins in? The latter types are definitely better, they do take up more space and probably cost a bit more to hire, but I think are definitely easier to keep cleaner. 

The standard pack idea is rather good, the only downfall I see there is rider X likes this and wants more of that, and rider Y has different preferences, so you will have riders complaining about what is in said packs. At any event you will always see those riders that grab snacks and drinks at these water points like they will never be able to have them again, and restricting what they can have is not the best way forward?

[DieselnDust]

1 minute ago, devvydoesdonuts said:

Do they use normal plastic porta loo's or are they using some of the fancier trailer type toilets that have proper toilets and basins in? The latter types are definitely better, they do take up more space and probably cost a bit more to hire, but I think are definitely easier to keep cleaner. 

The standard pack idea is rather good, the only downfall I see there is rider X likes this and wants more of that, and rider Y has different preferences, so you will have riders complaining about what is in said packs. At any event you will always see those riders that grab snacks and drinks at these water points like they will never be able to have them again, and restricting what they can have is not the best way forward?

Race village has both porta loo and trailer type ablution. The trailer type is well lit and generally cleaner although men seems to have issues aiming properly 

 

re the nutrition packs, well they either feel concerned with hygiene or not. So riders either get served by someone wearing gloves or food is placed in dispensers e.g date balls in a transparent plastic drum and you pull a lever and two balls fall into your hand . Energy bars stay in wrappers , bananas remain unpeeled. Oranges are less problematic but anything purchased in small packs don’t need to be unpacked for everyone to sweat over.

alternatively the race organiser adds the option in your nutrition services package for edible food options. So they prepackaged for you your WP1 nutrition, then WP2 and so on. If a rider has taken their training and nutrition seriously then they should know what works early in the race and what they need later on. Rider selects d from mist of products and where they want it. Then the device is worth the stupidly high cost they charge for keeping your bottles cool.

[samson99]

5 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

Race village has both porta loo and trailer type ablution. The trailer type is well lit and generally cleaner although men seems to have issues aiming properly 

 

re the nutrition packs, well they either feel concerned with hygiene or not. So riders either get served by someone wearing gloves or food is placed in dispensers e.g date balls in a transparent plastic drum and you pull a lever and two balls fall into your hand . Energy bars stay in wrappers , bananas remain unpeeled. Oranges are less problematic but anything purchased in small packs don’t need to be unpacked for everyone to sweat over.

alternatively the race organiser adds the option in your nutrition services package for edible food options. So they prepackaged for you your WP1 nutrition, then WP2 and so on. If a rider has taken their training and nutrition seriously then they should know what works early in the race and what they need later on. Rider selects d from mist of products and where they want it. Then the device is worth the stupidly high cost they charge for keeping your bottles cool.

i like the part in BOLD. makes sense

[devvydoesdonuts]

10 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

Race village has both porta loo and trailer type ablution. The trailer type is well lit and generally cleaner although men seems to have issues aiming properly 

 

re the nutrition packs, well they either feel concerned with hygiene or not. So riders either get served by someone wearing gloves or food is placed in dispensers e.g date balls in a transparent plastic drum and you pull a lever and two balls fall into your hand . Energy bars stay in wrappers , bananas remain unpeeled. Oranges are less problematic but anything purchased in small packs don’t need to be unpacked for everyone to sweat over.

alternatively the race organiser adds the option in your nutrition services package for edible food options. So they prepackaged for you your WP1 nutrition, then WP2 and so on. If a rider has taken their training and nutrition seriously then they should know what works early in the race and what they need later on. Rider selects d from mist of products and where they want it. Then the device is worth the stupidly high cost they charge for keeping your bottles cool.

I used to have a sign for the mens bathroom at one of my previous companies that said "Gents, stand closer it's shorter than you think." 

I really like the idea of your alternative, I for one would use that service if I ever did the race, like you said if you trained well and are serious about your nutrition this would really be a great way to ensure you are giving yourself the right stuff.

[DieselnDust]

6 minutes ago, devvydoesdonuts said:

I used to have a sign for the mens bathroom at one of my previous companies that said "Gents, stand closer it's shorter than you think." 

I really like the idea of your alternative, I for one would use that service if I ever did the race, like you said if you trained well and are serious about your nutrition this would really be a great way to ensure you are giving yourself the right stuff.

The alternative pre pack option isn’t very hard to implement, s not sure why they didn’t think of it and apply in the 2021 exiting covid edition

[babse]

I too think the event is now waaaay over subscribed.

2021 (first post-covid event) had less than half the field of this year. Toilets and showers were individually cleaned after every use. This could obviously be done because of the lower number of users, or maybe they skimming on cleaners cost I dont know.

We only stayed in the village 2nights that year and AirBnB'd the rest. Our main issue wasnt the quality of food but the lack of food between post race meal and supper. Not sure if there after more food vendors at the village now.

[The Ouzo]

10 minutes ago, devvydoesdonuts said:

I used to have a sign for the mens bathroom at one of my previous companies that said "Gents, stand closer it's shorter than you think." 

I really like the idea of your alternative, I for one would use that service if I ever did the race, like you said if you trained well and are serious about your nutrition this would really be a great way to ensure you are giving yourself the right stuff.

It disgusts me to see how some people will leave a toilet when they're finished. You'd swear they have someone following them around cleaning up after them 24/7. Even so, i could never leave a toilet in such a state for someone else to clean.

[babse]

1 hour ago, W@nted said:

Good points.

 

Are there stats available on the breakdown of epic participants that are staying on site, using the epic tents and catering? Vs the participants staying in BnB/hotels? Then, for those in BnB/hotels, do they pay a cheaper epic entry fee? (Like the different w2w packages)

Nope, the standard/only package incl. tent and all meals.

BnBs are at your own extra expense obviously.

[DieselnDust]

13 minutes ago, babse said:

I too think the event is now waaaay over subscribed.

2021 (first post-covid event) had less than half the field of this year. Toilets and showers were individually cleaned after every use. This could obviously be done because of the lower number of users, or maybe they skimming on cleaners cost I dont know.

We only stayed in the village 2nights that year and AirBnB'd the rest. Our main issue wasnt the quality of food but the lack of food between post race meal and supper. Not sure if there after more food vendors at the village now.

Less with less variety from what I saw this year

[devvydoesdonuts]

12 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

It disgusts me to see how some people will leave a toilet when they're finished. You'd swear they have someone following them around cleaning up after them 24/7. Even so, i could never leave a toilet in such a state for someone else to clean.

I feel the same, and I always make sure that I leave the bathroom in the condition that I would like to find it. I am a bit extra when it comes to being clean and tidy, so it irks me to see when people cannot have the decency to clean up after themselves. 

Can only just imagine how terrible the conditions are in the porta loo's after 8 days of racing.

[devvydoesdonuts]

24 minutes ago, DieselnDust said:

The alternative pre pack option isn’t very hard to implement, s not sure why they didn’t think of it and apply in the 2021 exiting covid edition

You are right, they are basically doing it already with the water bottles, so shouldn't be that difficult to expand on that service, I am sure they will add another R2500 to accomodate it though😂