Fall Epic 8 Hour
September 27
A Great Event for Riding with Friends!
The Epic 8 Hour Mountain Bike Relay is all about the camaraderie, sportsmanship and the gritty, hard-core enjoyment of riding with friends. The Epic 8 Hour relay is a personal or team challenge to complete as many laps as possible. Whether riding just for fun, or vying for a podium spot in your category, the Epic 8 Hour will be a memorable experience. Using Ontario’s premier Mountain Bike destinations and trails, the Epic 8 Hour promises the best in facilities, fun, varied courses, and support for riders.
Links
Register – click here! – The Fall Epic 8 Hour typically sells out in advance.
2024 Course Map / Site Plan and Instructions / Rules and Regulations
What is the Epic 8 Hour?
The Epic 8 Hour takes place over an 8 hour time frame on a 10 km course which starts and finishes at the same location. The object is not to finish first, but to complete the greatest number of laps before the end of the event. There is a Solo category for the hard cores, but most people do it as a (2 person, 3-4 person, or 5-6 person) team. Only one member of the team is on the course at any one time. In other words you take turns riding.
Why do an Epic 8 Hour?
There are several reasons why its’ more fun than a conventional race.
Because the race is defined by time, not distance, nobody finishes “last”. All riders finish the race at about the same time. Slower riders can ride at their own pace without feeling like they are “holding up” anyone. Faster riders who want a good workout can put in more laps and ride more distance.
In a conventional race, most of us never see the faster riders after the start line, and never see them in action at all. In an Epic 8 Hour, most of us will get passed by faster riders at some point. These “fast guys and girls” are inspiring to watch, and it’s a good chance to see how skillfully these talented athletes negotiate the course.
When your team-mate is out riding, you get to relax, hang out with friends at the start/finish area, and watch the progress of the other teams.
“Enduro and Team Relay races are credited with the revival of mountain bike racing in recent years, mainly as a result of their participation and festival nature”.
So if you have never participated in an Epic 8 Hour, it’s a good chance to give it a try, challenge yourself, meet some other riders, and celebrate our sport!
The Course:
The Epic 8 Hour courses are approx. 10 km, comprised of some of the most fun, flowy and rolling trails. The courses have a good selection of challenges, but will not be overly technical for newer riders. The courses for all the events are completely different, and have a very different feel.