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" <[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.

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
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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.

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.

http://www.transrockies.com/

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: http://www.j-harris.net/bike/ambfaq.htm

a.bmx FAQ: http://www.t-online.de/~jharris/bmx_faq.htm

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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Shaun Rimmer 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. 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
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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.

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

--

"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 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)

"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.

http://www.angelfire.com/alt2/mtbstories/

JD

Paladin said:

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

"spademan o---[) *" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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"(t'other) Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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"Jerry Bone Jr" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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> How long is an Epic ride? In distance traveled, feet gained, and/or

time.

Quoted message said:

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

feet

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

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

around you on bikes. ',;~}~
Shaun aRe

Helvellyn. Soon. Interested?

Helvellyn?!?!? Helyessyn! How high do we need to climb, and how long is the
ride? How far off is Helvellyn from herabouts?

Cheers!

Shaun aRe