What's the new 'epic'?

[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'.

[7rider]

side note : I don't think I've ever used the word epic to describe one of my rides.

Me either. That's why any ride reports I do post end up in the cycling related discussion and not adventure stories. I don't think I'd ever get over the bar!

[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$$.

[sundial]

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

Yeah, especially during a full moon.....

[emily_in_nc]

I hadn't heard this term used to describe rides when I was a frequent road rider. Now that I have at least one friend who does, lets call them "significant" mountain bike rides (as contrasted with the easy ones I do!), I have heard the term "epic" used, and hearing about a few of the rides he so described, I agree!

So yeah, I think it's more of a mtb lingo thing.

Emily

[Irulan]

I hadn't heard this term used to describe rides when I was a frequent road rider. Now that I have at least one friend who does, lets call them "significant" mountain bike rides (as contrasted with the easy ones I do!), I have heard the term "epic" used, and hearing about a few of the rides he so described, I agree!

So yeah, I think it's more of a mtb lingo thing.

Emily

I don't know that it's possible to have an "epic" on a road bike. Anytime you can call someone to come and get you, that is an automatic disqualifier.

[Brandy]

I don't know that it's possible to have an "epic" on a road bike. Anytime you can call someone to come and get you, that is an automatic disqualifier.

I'll disagree with you. I'd say I had an epic day yesterday. Totally solo and self supported in the San Gabriel Mountains. 106 miles and 15,000 feet of climbing!

It was epic for me on several levels and one of those IS that I had so many bailout points...just ride down the mountain and to my car...AND no one to keep me out there and accountable...YET, I kept going and did my most challenging century to date. Epic by anyone else's standards? I don't know. By mine? Definitely.



Here's a map of the mountains so you can get a better idea...

[Zen]

Elevation graphs do not automatically make something epic.

[Kalidurga]

Yeah, but the feeling inspired by conquering those elevations could be very epic.

Forget the standard dictionary definition of the word for a moment and get into the colloquial connotation that's developed around it. Tag the word "duuuude" onto the end and it and it takes on a totally different feel

[Brandy]

Elevation graphs do not automatically make something epic.

Did I say that they do? I believe I said that it was epic on MANY levels. The fact that I climbed more yesterday than I ever had in a day, hence the elevation graph, was just one of those reasons.

I guess if it doesn't fit YOUR definition of epic, I'll just remember to say that I had a "nice little ride" yesterday.