Epic ride ?

Jerry Bone Jr said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single
track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is Epic, or 2.5
hours is Epic.

If Michael Paul says "hoo, man" afterwards, it was epic.

Bill "hope I wasn't too specific for ya" S.

Jerry Bone Jr said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single
track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is Epic, or 2.5
hours is Epic.

An Epic ride is one where you spend almost as much time in
the air as you do on the ground. 🙂

"Jerry Bone Jr" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single
track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is Epic, or 2.5
hours is Epic.

Even for me, 2 1/2 hours is a mere bloody beer run!

An epic is at least near full day, starting at 9 or 10
a.m. and dragging my sorry, tired and aching [censored] back to
the cars when sane people are at home, eating their
evening meal.

Shaun aRe

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single
track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is Epic, or 2.5
hours is Epic.

For a serious epic, check out www.cape-epic.com, and 8 day
MTB stage race (8 stages). I did this with my brother this
year, and it was VERY challenging. There 750km estimate is
wrong - it was more like 800km. The first stage was 130km
long and had about 3000m of height gain (i.e. excluding the
height loss when you descend after the climb) and one or two
of the the other stages weren't too far off that.

I think this might be the longest MTB stage race in the
world. Does anyone know of a longer one?

Travers

"Jerry Bone Jr" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single
track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is Epic, or 2.5
hours is Epic.

Epic is when you've lost enough blood you're a nice
color of blue.

Shaun Bell

"Jerry Bone Jr" wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single
track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is Epic, or 2.5
hours is Epic.

An Epic is not so much about the distance or time take - it
the stories, legends and heroes born from that ride.

Parbs

There's a race up here in Canada called the Trans Rockies,
only 600km long, but has 12,000m of vertical to challenge
the insane!

I think last year, due to forest fires, it was actually more
like 700km.

transrockies.comtransrockies.comOpen ↗

Travers Waker said:

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic
(single track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is
Epic, or 2.5 hours is Epic.

For a serious epic, check out www.cape-epic.com, and 8 day
MTB stage race (8 stages). I did this with my brother this
year, and it was VERY challenging. There 750km estimate is
wrong - it was more like 800km. The first stage was 130km
long and had about 3000m of height gain (i.e. excluding
the height loss when you descend after the
climb) and one or two of the the other stages weren't too
far off that.

I think this might be the longest MTB stage race in the
world. Does anyone know of a longer one?

Travers

Jerry Bone Jr said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single
track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is Epic, or 2.5
hours is Epic.

Double those figures and you're getting closer...

Of course, that's just my opinion. 'Epic' means different
things to different people, so choosing a height / distance
/ time is completely arbritrary.

--
a.m-b FAQ: j-harris.netambfaq.htmOpen ↗

b.bmx FAQ: t-online.debmx faq.htmOpen ↗

Shaun Rimmer said:

"Jerry Bone Jr" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic
(single track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is
Epic, or 2.5 hours is Epic.

Even for me, 2 1/2 hours is a mere bloody beer run!

An epic is at least near full day, starting at 9 or 10
a.m. and dragging my sorry, tired and aching [censored] back to
the cars when sane people are at home, eating their
evening meal.

Shaun aRe

That's about right. Maybe throw in a little weather or
route finding. For us it might be an early start, a drive
up into the mountains with a gazetter perched on the
navigators lap. Wild animal sightings are a bonus, as is an
awesome view. It could also involve the adventure factor as
in: we don't know what this trail is really going to be
like, so be ready for anything.

penny

"Penny S" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Shaun Rimmer said:

"Jerry Bone Jr" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic
(single track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is
Epic, or 2.5 hours is Epic.

Even for me, 2 1/2 hours is a mere bloody beer run!

An epic is at least near full day, starting at 9 or 10
a.m. and dragging my sorry, tired and aching [censored] back
to the cars when sane people are at home, eating their
evening meal.

Shaun aRe

That's about right. Maybe throw in a little weather or
route finding. For us it might be an early start, a drive
up into the mountains with a

gazetter

Quoted message said:

perched on the navigators lap. Wild animal sightings are a
bonus, as is an awesome view. It could also involve the
adventure factor as in: we

don't

Quoted message said:

know what this trail is really going to be like, so be
ready for anything.

Yes! I also forgot to mention the all important BSTM!
(Blood, sweat, tears, mechanicals).

Shaun aRe

"Jerry Bone Jr" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single
track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is Epic, or 2.5
hours is Epic.

The specifics of an Epic Ride could be different for
everyone. But basically an Epic is a long ride often with
lots of memories and stories (good or bad).

It's not only about the miles, but about the experience.

That being said, as far as distance/time goes, I consider an
Epic to begin anywhere from about 4 hours on. Usually 6-8
hours or more. Often all day, dawn to dusk, pack a lunch and
plenty of fluids type ride. Miles vary, since in 8 hours of
riding, depending on the terrain, could be 40 miles, 60
miles, 80 miles, etc.

I just lead an Epic ride at Mt Tamalpaias (Marin, CA) a few
weeks ago. It was planned as 50 miles with about 7000' ele
gain but ended up short at 45 miles (due to mechanicals,
etc). Took our group of 27 (eventually whittled down to 7 as
people dropped) about 6 hours (7-8 including stops and
socializing).

From dictionary.com: epic adj 1: surpassing the ordinary
especially in size or scale; "an epic voyage"; "of heroic
proportions"; "heroic sculpture" [syn: heroic, larger-than-
life] 2: constituting or having to do with or suggestive
of a literary epic; "epic tradition" [syn: epical] n : a
long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds [syn: epic
poem, epos]

For myself, I unofficially consider a ride which surpasses 4
hours -or- 40 miles to be the /beginning/ of an Epic ride.

But does it really matter what we call it? Just enjoy
the ride. 🙂

--

FlyingCoyote

--

Jerry Bone Jr said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single
track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is Epic, or 2.5
hours is Epic.

I've had plenty of rides of greater distances & elevations
that I would not consider "epic", and a few rides of lesser
that I would consider epic. It has more to do with the
emotions that the rides leave you with.

And it would probably be a ride that isn't a reasonably
short drive from the house. Once you've ridden a trail a
few dozen times, its going to be hard to consider it
epic anymore.

--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail
address, at least)

"Parbs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"Jerry Bone Jr" wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic
(single track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is
Epic, or 2.5 hours is Epic.

An Epic is not so much about the distance or time take -
it the stories, legends and heroes born from that ride.

Parbs

I agree. The location, the composition of the group, the
time commitment, and if anything crazy happens, like animal
attacks, somebody getting lost, injuries, dehydration,
fishing or other unique side-trips, all add to the epic-
qualifications of a good ride.

paladin

"Jerry Bone Jr" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single
track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is Epic, or 2.5
hours is Epic.

angelfire.commtbstoriesOpen ↗

JD

Paladin said:

"Parbs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<aSwac.132823$Wa.52682@news-
server.bigpond.net.au>...

Quoted message said:

"Jerry Bone Jr" wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic
(single track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is
Epic, or 2.5 hours is Epic.

An Epic is not so much about the distance or time take -
it the stories, legends and heroes born from that ride.

Parbs

I agree. The location, the composition of the group, the
time commitment, and if anything crazy happens, like
animal attacks, somebody getting lost, injuries,
dehydration, fishing or other unique side-trips, all add
to the epic-qualifications of a good ride.

paladin

what about the Bear Pete reconnaisance ride that I sent
Adam. Though technically only 12 miles, I think it qualifies
on all account. Do you think he will ever forgive me?

Penny

"Jerry Bone Jr" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single
track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is Epic, or 2.5
hours is Epic.

For me, it's any ride headed by Brad Mina. That's right
Brad! He's got a GPS and a backpack full of maps, but we
always wind up returning cold, scared, and bloody, searching
frantically for a gulp of sour mash. Kayaking expeditions
too. It's a good thing he brings a flashlight, full first
aid kit, waterproof matches and emergency space blankets.

/s

"Jerry Bone Jr" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or time. For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single
track of course), or over 2000 feet gained is Epic, or 2.5
hours is Epic.

Lord of the Rings....on an MTB...that's an Epic ;-)

"(t'other) Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

"Jerry Bone Jr" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or

time.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single track of course),
or over 2000

feet

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

gained is Epic, or 2.5 hours is Epic.

Lord of the Rings....on an MTB...that's an Epic ;-)

Heh, Snowdon, in 2winter, with a lung infection, and a bunch
of headcases around you on bikes. ',;~}~

Shaun aRe

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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"(t'other) Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:tEGac.1059$Id.98@news-
binary.blueyonder.co.uk...

Quoted message said:

"Jerry Bone Jr" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message
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Quoted message said:

How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet
gained, and/or

time.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For me, over 20 miles is Epic (single track of
course), or over 2000

feet

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

gained is Epic, or 2.5 hours is Epic.

Lord of the Rings....on an MTB...that's an Epic ;-)

Heh, Snowdon, in 2winter, with a lung infection, and a
bunch of headcases around you on bikes. ',;~}~ Shaun aRe

Helvellyn. Soon. Interested?

Steve.