What's the new 'epic'?

[NbyNW]

. . . a standard description for a long mileage singletrack ride that involves at least two of the following: long mileage, bonking, at least one mechanical, running out of water,Running out of food, injury, unexpected weather change, extensive hike a bike,getting lost...

Sounds like a synonym for poor planning and lack of preparedness.

[roadie gal]

Sounds like a synonym for poor planning and lack of preparedness.

LOL. That was my thought, too.

[7rider]

Maybe we should see how TE Admin defines "epic" - as it's used in the sub-header for the "Adventure Stories" forum.

For Zen...Using Irulan's Urban Dictionary as a guide, I'd recommend you request that they use "kicka$$" in all places described as "epic" and see where that takes you!

And Katluvr...epic is what you make it. One person's "epic" is another person's walk in the park.

[alpinerabbit]

One person's "epic" is another person's walk in the park.

LOL.

Elevation graphs do not automatically make something epic.

depends on how much elevation...

Outrageous. I like "significant" too. Awesometastic. Gigantalicious. Bonkadelic. Oh I know - I vote for: supreme - as in "hellride supreme". Come on, you can play too.

[Aggie_Ama]

This doesn't have to do with Epic but this weekend on the Olympics the Gymnastic commentator used the word "ginormous" to describe the Chinese men's routines.

[SadieKate]

This doesn't have to do with Epic but this weekend on the Olympics the Gymnastic commentator used the word "ginormous" to describe the Chinese men's routines.

And yet my mother gets all miffed when we refer to their RV as "GigandaWanda".

[OakLeaf]

Teracalifragilistic.

[Zen]

The original question was what word to use to replace 'epic', not what qualifies. I like all of the below.

Outrageous. I like "significant" too. Awesometastic. Gigantalicious. Bonkadelic. Oh I know - I vote for: supreme - as in "hellride supreme". Come on, you can play too.

[Irulan]

Sounds like a synonym for poor planning and lack of preparedness.

What, you've never been on a ride where things went horribly wrong?

[SadieKate]

What, you've never been on a ride where things went horribly wrong?

I know! "The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men . . . "

[echidna]

a ride so incredible that you would consider having kids in order to have grandkids to tell them about it, someday. If not, it's "hard", "hot", "wet", "long", "hilly", or...something else.

[rocknrollgirl]

It is a mt bike thing I guess. Perhaps it is overused, but I would read that in a magazine or catalog and know exactly what they were talking about. As a matter of fact I use it myself in describing rides...

Not exactly epic, but still fun.....

[jobob]

Memorable. Hopefully in a good way.

[GLC1968]

So we need a replacement for the word 'epic' as used to describe a bike ride of incredible moments/challenges/memories/etc? How about awe-inspiring?

side note : I don't think I've ever used the word epic to describe one of my rides. Either I haven't sufficiently challenged myself, or I'm way out of the 'lingo'.

[Aggie_Ama]

a ride so incredible that you would consider having kids in order to have grandkids to tell them about it, someday. If not, it's "hard", "hot", "wet", "long", "hilly", or...something else.

To expand on my ride I consider epic:

I saw a bear.
I climbed two mountains and I am from the rolling hills.
I descended switchbacks I would normally wet my shorts on.
I got a blistering sunburn.
I cut a tire and had to spend $70 on a new one just to get back to my hotel.
I had no sag, no family to call to bail out of the ride, only my companion (DH) as a safety net.
I cried out of exhaustion, frustration and fear.
It took longer than any ride I have ever done.
I stopped for pictures of amazing scenery.
I pushed myself to the limits and then pushed a little more.

When we finally pulled up to our lodge, DH what I thought. I replied "It was epic." To me that was epic, but maybe it should just be kicka$$.