When does a ride become an “epic ride”?
by Lonnie Wolff

While riding the Casa Grande 400k Brevet I was asked my opinion of what it takes to make a ride an “epic ride”. Having previously been on a couple of what I considered to be “epic rides” I thought that I could offer an informed answer to that question.

All rides have certain qualities that make them fun, challenging, memorable or whatever. But to be able to call a ride an “epic ride” requires that a whole different set of standards be met. At the beginning of the day the Casa Grande 400k was a significant undertaking, but the jury was still out on whether or not this ride would transcend to the level of an epic. The question of whether or not this was to be an “epic ride” I believe is answered below.

A long distance bike ride by itself is not necessarily an epic. 400 kilometers is a long way to ride a bicycle but most ambitious riders are capable of accomplishing it in a reasonable amount of time. Factoring in a challenging course certainly makes things tougher but is not particularly unique for any ride. Formidable southwest winds during the entire event may start to add a bit of color to the story but are also a frequent occurrence for most cyclists. When you tell of the cold temperatures, perhaps down into the high 30’s then the tale starts to sound mildly like an adventure. Then, nearly biblical rains might elevate things to the level of an arduous adventure but certainly do not make an “epic ride”. Fording flooded road crossings in the dark of night add only a small measure to the adventure. It might be argued that stinging sleet, drenched clothing and hypothermia would certainly be all that is required to meet the standard of an “epic ride”, but we are not there yet. There are still a couple of missing pieces that are critical for an event to truly be considered to be an “epic” event.

With all of the challenges, hardships and discomforts there are also the positive elements to be considered. Once the rain stops and the sun comes out, even if only briefly in Green Valley. To see people laughing at you when they first see you dripping wet and then to watch them admire you as you set off again into the cold rain. When you are finally able to turn downwind and cover 33 miles in just over an hour on the way into Three Points, at Robles Junction. How often do you have good friends to support you when you hit your low point as the wind turns back into your face after Marana? When can you say that you met all of the challenges that came your way and successfully completed your goal of completing the event by arriving back in Casa Grande with a few hours to spare? These are the final elements that make a ride truly an “epic ride”.

There are rides, and then there are rides. This year the Casa Grande 400k will go down in many people’s books as the one they measure all other events by for years to come. Yes, as it turns out it truly was an “epic ride”, but more importantly, those who participated and completed the event have proven themselves to “epic riders”. Cyclists who met all of the above challenges and prevailed with a smile on their face!