I wouldn’t expect that kind of reaction from you because you’re normal. But most of the comment sections are “why don’t we just go to 35’s” or “We’re all going to be riding penny farthings in a couple years” or “there’s the bike industry just trying to sell us stuff again”.
I’m with you that I don’t want to have to switch over, but if it is faster I absolutely will…eventually. And I wouldn’t buy a 29er right now for fear of having a one year old regret of a bike. That’s all.
Yep, the big 32" wheel was struggling to keep up with his teammate on the 29er. The 32" guy had to wheel suck the whole race.
Happy to see all South African team on top of the men’s podium, although if the Vittoria team won I would not have minded that much. They were so consistent. But to see Nortje dig so deep and still come up on top is great. Hope to see more from the youngster!
Also happy to see Keller/Lill get the podium. Lill got 2nd 5 times, if I remember correctly. She deserves the top spot and hopefully more sponsor interest. Competing at XC level without Sponsors is not ideal. As for Keller, she is such a great athlete.
Was happy to see Schwarzbauer/Gaze team so well. Looking forward to seeing them again
Last but not least, great to see Courtney be such an inspiration to young women riders. Lots of emotions from Seiwald when she could not continue…from both of them, actually. It happens. But great to see the support system in place.
Very happy with this Epic, overall. It is such an awesome event. Thanks to all who make it what it is.
Incredible final stage for the men. Being Matt Beers’ teammate in this race looks extremely painful, but rewarding.
What a phenomenal week of racing! It inspires me every year to see everyone who goes out here to tackle such a challenge. Congrats to the women’s and men’s champions. I love watching Keller duing the World Cup season and to see her bring that talent and determination to Epic was incredible. So happy for Candace Lill to finally get her win.
As a Canadian, it was great to see Haley Hunter Smith bring her philosophy and approach to the race and end up on the podium.
And to see the Kate Courtney ‘sparkle watts’ in action was incredible. What an incredible athlete and person. A bright light when it’s so easy to be cynical.
Can’t begin to describe what a champion Matt Beers is. To take four different riders to the overall win, ad to adjust to a change in partners in the 11th hours was mad! Cheers to the heart and fight that lives within Tristan Nortje. An incredible accomplishment, and his tears at the end had me in tears. A great week all around!
Edit: spelling
Very nicely summed up.
It really is such a cool and unique event. One of my favorite weeks of the year to follow along each day. I always start out thinking, man I should go do that…..and then end up thinking, man that seems so brutal, I don’t know if I or my bike would survive those eight days. Respect to the teams that did make it all the way through because it’s clearly not easy to just finish even.