Merriam-Websters defines epic as: e-pik\ adj. 1: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an epic
Several riders I know have commented that this ride is a "classic epic" ride but, meaning no disrespect to the organizer or the wonderful volunteers, as a fairly experienced randonneur, I would be hard pressed to describe this ride as epic - i.e., extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size and scope. We had a little wind (including tail, head and crosswinds) and it rained for a half day but in general it was a fairly uneventful ride from Louisville, CO out to Kensington, KS to mail a postcard back to the RBA, and then ride back to Louisville, racing back to see if we could beat the post card. I found this ride to be pleasant with a great course (only a couple of bonus miles on this one - you who know the cue sheet, don't ask were they were. You wouldn't believe me if I told you.) with wonderful scenery (which I'll describe in the upcoming ride report) but I'd have trouble categorizing this ride as epic, and wonder if, perhaps this term isn't overused by many in describing the various brevets and randonnees.
...which brings me back to my original question, of what constiotutes an epic randonneuring even. After much contemplation (83 hours on the LC1200) I've concluded that as with most things a ride is "epic in the eyes of the beholder." I've ridden a 600K in 39:59 which, to me was epic, and some have ridden 200K's that start out sunny and in the 50's that have finished in an ice storm/blizzard with several iunches of snow, the riders fighting off hypothermia and the sno plows as they completed the ride. To many, the recent PBP would be epic, yet to me as one who enjoys riding in cooler weather and "soft" days, I thought the weather conditions quite pleasant ( the crowds at controls were a different matter. As a year 'round commuter, had I stayed at home and done my routine commute that week in August, I would have encountered MORE rain and much lower temperatures.
For this year's randonnees, I'd classify the Shenandoah as epic due to the heat which resulted in many "experienced" riders recording thier first 1200K DNF. This year's Cascade, while subject to warm conditions on the second day, was pretty much what everyone would expect, and although AT LEAST the one person who suffered extreme heat stroke might call this an epic ride, the condistions really were not as severe as the previous running of the event two ywars ago - can an even ALWAYS be epic due to it's difficulty or are there epic years and non-epic years? The RM1200 would be epic, in my eyes, at least to me as it was my first time experience riding in the Canadian Rockies and the ride from Jasper to Banff, to me, meets my criteria of the definitiuon: extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope. Those who have ridden this event previously or live in Kamloops might not feel this same way - and one rider (to remain nameless) prefers riding in open plains with wide open vistas, and to this rider, the RM1200, while challenging, would not meet thier expectations of an epic ride. The Last Chance, while a great ride, and one that I hope to do again soon, for me was not epic this year. Perhaps the next time I ride it, I'll encounter less pleasant experiences, or more inhospitable weather and I'll refer to that event as epic.
...come to think of it, as much as I pretty much enjoy riding EVERY brevet and randonnee, it is my hope that NONE of them EVER present so much of a challenge that I'd refer to them, in hindsight, as epic - but then that is what make EACH event so interesting. They ALL present thier own unique difficulties and challenges and it is up to us to properly prepare for all contingencies that the event requires. :-)
