What's the new 'epic'?

[uforgot]

And we don't have George (Carlin) to take on this bit of language any more.

[katluvr]

As I read this I realize I have not had a ride, run, vacation, or anythign that I would describe as "epic". So am I missing out on life or something. I have great rides, fun rides, rides and vacations I still rmember and make me smile or get warm fuzzies inside, bad rides, I think I am going to puke rides/runs, etc. But I have never used the word "epic". So yes, the question is am I missing something or is something epic that thing that you only experience once in you life...and when you expeirence it...you know it...it is EPIC!

Fun musings while at work!

[Irulan]

"Epic" had been used by skiers for to describe powder days for years...

As for an "epic" mountain bike ride.... its' 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...

Unabriged Dictionary:

1. noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style: Homer's Iliad is an epic poem.
2. resembling or suggesting such poetry: an epic novel on the founding of the country.
3. heroic; majestic; impressively great: the epic events of the war.
4. of unusually great size or extent: a crime wave of epic proportions.
–noun
5. an epic poem.
6. epic poetry.
7. any composition resembling an epic.
8. something worthy to form the subject of an epic: The defense of the Alamo is an American epic.

Urban Dictionary:

. Epic

(adjective) Awesome, kickass, or otherwise positive. Can be used to refer to anything but is usually referring to a particular event or action. The most common usages are "epic win" or "epic failure," and some prefer to type it in all caps. Occasionally people use the phrase "Epic ___" as a stand-alone sentence or phrase, always following a story about something considered 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.

[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?

[kelownagirl]

As I read this I realize I have not had a ride, run, vacation, or anythign that I would describe as "epic". So am I missing out on life or something. I have great rides, fun rides, rides and vacations I still rmember and make me smile or get warm fuzzies inside, bad rides, I think I am going to puke rides/runs, etc. But I have never used the word "epic". So yes, the question is am I missing something or is something epic that thing that you only experience once in you life...and when you expeirence it...you know it...it is EPIC!

Fun musings while at work!

I felt my like century ride around the lake last summer was 'epic'. I was absolutely wiped from all the climbing but felt like going for a spin as soon as I got home cos it had been such a great day.

[gnat23]

Tell Rapha that charging $400 for a windbreaker is pretty "epic". :P

-- gnat!

[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.....

[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$$.

[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'.