What constitutes an epic ride for you?
#52
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I think an "epic" ride is a relative perception based on the experience of the individual, and the bar for what constitutes an epic ride gets higher as experience is gained. It looks like we have the opportunity for many epic rides as we inch the bar upward.
"extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope" -- Merriam-Webster
"extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope" -- Merriam-Webster
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#53
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epic adjective
ep·ic | \ ˈe-pik
\Definition of epic (Entry 2 of 2)1 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic an epic poem
2a : extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope his genius was epic — The Times Literary Supplement (London)
b : heroic
I guess we all have different meanings for "epic" when it comes to riding. I think the one aspect of any ride we can all share - is that when a cyclists ventures his/her real measure of effort to complete a ride - a deeper appreciation, and satisfaction of the ride is experienced.
So anytime you put forth real effort - you have a measure of epic milestones.
ep·ic | \ ˈe-pik
\Definition of epic (Entry 2 of 2)1 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic an epic poem
2a : extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope his genius was epic — The Times Literary Supplement (London)
b : heroic
I guess we all have different meanings for "epic" when it comes to riding. I think the one aspect of any ride we can all share - is that when a cyclists ventures his/her real measure of effort to complete a ride - a deeper appreciation, and satisfaction of the ride is experienced.
So anytime you put forth real effort - you have a measure of epic milestones.
#54
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Once upon a time, not that long ago in 2013, an epic ride was a flat 10 mile commute to work, then 40 miles with a group, then 70, then 100, then 200, then it was a 325 mile 24 hr solo ride, then it was a commute in 5 F, then a sub-5 hour century (never quite made that one, but 5:15 is close enough), then it was a century with 13,600' of total ascent, then I moved to CO and epic became sketchy technical MTB rides in mountainous solitude, then it was 6,500' of non-stop ascent to the top of Mt Evans from Idaho Springs, CO (3rd highest paved road in the world @ 14,131 ft.), then 2 years ago I got plagued with self inflicted patellar tendinopathy (doing epic sprint intervals and ignorantly riding through the pain), followed a year later with an epic diagnosis of Stage III Lung Cancer, which has metastasized to the spine and ribs. Now 6 months into my treatment, and with the knees healed a bit, an epic ride is 40 miles on the flats...again. Epic full circle. The moral of the story is to do epic $hit (whatever that means to YOU), while you can.
Last edited by Riveting; 03-01-20 at 07:23 AM.
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#55
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Most epic ride: White Mountain
Labor day weekend 1982, two friends and I rode our new mountain bikes to the top of White Mountain 14,250 feet. I say "rode", but we had to push and carry a bit at the top. The last few switchbacks still had several inches of snow. Riding above 12,000 feet was unpleasant, it was like being really shaky hungry all the time.
I also did "The Death Ride" a couple of times. 1st time: Ebbets, Dagget, & Monitor passes (back when they did the original route). 2nd time Ebbets, Carson, & Luther passes.
I also did "The Death Ride" a couple of times. 1st time: Ebbets, Dagget, & Monitor passes (back when they did the original route). 2nd time Ebbets, Carson, & Luther passes.
#57
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I've done a few over the years:
Seattle to Portland, first hundred miles in 4:15. Next hundred, well it was a struggle.
Mt. Haleakala, still epic even if I didn't make it to the top. I'd never climbed more than 3000' on a ride, never mind 10000. I made 6000. I was in the Rockies this past summer at around 10000' and I had difficulty catching my breath, so it may have been an issue had I gone further anyway.
Fjords in Norway, on a rented hybrid. It wasn't the distance or climbing, it was just spectacularly beautiful.
The Great Brooklyn Loop. Really, 50 miles in my home borough without doubling back anywhere, and about 50% on trails without NYC traffic. The best part is it requires no planning, just hop on the bike and go, and I'll be home by 🍺:30
Seattle to Portland, first hundred miles in 4:15. Next hundred, well it was a struggle.
Mt. Haleakala, still epic even if I didn't make it to the top. I'd never climbed more than 3000' on a ride, never mind 10000. I made 6000. I was in the Rockies this past summer at around 10000' and I had difficulty catching my breath, so it may have been an issue had I gone further anyway.
Fjords in Norway, on a rented hybrid. It wasn't the distance or climbing, it was just spectacularly beautiful.
The Great Brooklyn Loop. Really, 50 miles in my home borough without doubling back anywhere, and about 50% on trails without NYC traffic. The best part is it requires no planning, just hop on the bike and go, and I'll be home by 🍺:30
Last edited by zacster; 03-26-20 at 02:12 PM.
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According to that "rule of thumb" that a person's max heart rate will be about 220-age, my own max HR would be 163. Last year, I did a couple gravel races (>4 hrs each) in which my HR averaged 163+.
Those were pretty epic, at least for me.
zacster , I had the same experience on Seattle-to-Portland. Got to Centralia (100 miles) in <5 hours, and took about 6:10 to cover the next 100 miles to Portland -- and only did the second half that fast because a very kind man pulled me for the last 30 miles.
Those were pretty epic, at least for me.
zacster , I had the same experience on Seattle-to-Portland. Got to Centralia (100 miles) in <5 hours, and took about 6:10 to cover the next 100 miles to Portland -- and only did the second half that fast because a very kind man pulled me for the last 30 miles.
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I thought I had that defined as must travel far, must be long, lots of elevation, fast pace, PRs, etc. I had that view turned upside down a couple months back on local roads when I ran into a friend from cycling circles at the start of a solo ride. We'd never ridden together before. He asked if I wanted some company and I said sure! We went with my route but we made spontaneous changes during the ride down to the coast, even throwing in a big climb. We stayed out longer than expected and raced the setting sun along the bay's calm water to get home before dark. One of my most memorable rides ever.
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#62
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What Constitutes an Epic Ride
Any ride in the Eastern Sierra with multi mile climbs.
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