What's the new 'epic'?

[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.

[salsabike]

Now, see, THAT--Brandy's ride--would fit my personal (not the mtb) definition of "epic".

[emily_in_nc]

Now, see, THAT--Brandy's ride--would fit my personal (not the mtb) definition of "epic".

+1!

That's a LOT of climbing! Congratulations, Brandy -- amazing ride!

[jobob]

Elevation graphs do not automatically make something epic.

Oy. Brandy's ride would certainly qualify as epic to me !

[boy in a kilt]

The word sees frequent use in climbing circles. Epic usually means a climb where a lot of things went wrong or someone danced where angels fear to tread.

The word means deeds or stories about deeds done on an impressive, or imposing scale with a strong implication of heroism. Alternately, it can also mean deeds extending beyond the usual in size or scope (Merriam-Webster).

I am totally in agreement with Zen. The word is over used. However, it's a word with a lot of punch which means it's like crack for people who write advertising copy. However, if we do come up with something else, they'll just over use that word too.

[Irulan]

Oy. Brandy's ride would certainly qualify as epic to me !

maybe, but did she puke? have a mechanical? Get lost, run out of food or water? Get injured, have a wreck? Otherwise it's just a bigass long ride.

[maillotpois]

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 disagree. most of my road rides - especially the epic ones - are well out of cell range. even so, that's not necessarily why many have been "epic" - or whatever less overused word we're settling on.

and elevation charts can be a great indicator. Good job Brandy!!!

in terms of mental and phycial suffering, each of the following rides have been similar for me: 600k over 30 hours riding through the night, DMD 209 miles w/20,000 climbing in high 90 degree temps and a 50 mile flat ride with my daughter in the tandem. elevation/distance are great starting points for classification of a ride as "epic" - or whatever. but they're not always determinative. that flat 50 miler with a 9 year old was prolly more mentally challenging than any of the others.

I have done the death ride 4 times now and it's rarely fallen into "epic" status for me. (this year all the hail might have pushed it over the line.)

[SadieKate]

Definitely done road rides where rescue by car was not an option. There were mechanicals. Someone threw up. Ran out of water. Got injured. Had a wreck. What else does it take to qualify?

We never get lost. We are simply on an unplanned adventure. I believe adventure is part of being epic. No?

[Irulan]

Definitely done road rides where rescue by car was not an option. There were mechanicals. Someone threw up. Ran out of water. Got injured. Had a wreck. What else does it take to qualify?

We never get lost. We are simply on an unplanned adventure. I believe adventure is part of being epic. No?

epic= unplanned adventure. that works!!

[Zen]

Someone threw up.

Automatic qualifier!

[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.

[Blueberry]

maybe, but did she puke? have a mechanical? Get lost, run out of food or water? Get injured, have a wreck? Otherwise it's just a bigass long ride.

Hmmm....so RAAM isn't epic, unless one of the above happens to occur. Interesting....

Brandy's ride is epic in my book (as was my ride last Wednesday - even though it was short - because I bonked so badly I was going 4 mph up a slight incline).

I'll agree to disagree on this one.

CA

[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.

[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".