[Closed] Did anyone on here do the Swiss Epic this year? How was it for you?

Nope- but adding to bookmarks as was looking for an event to target next year and this looks awesome!

EDIT: Damn, just seen it's a team event, and about £1k out of my price range still! Guess I can dream and being 1/4 Swiss I probably should have expected that!

Agreed it's not cheap, but compared to a similar length biking holiday with hotel in Davos in August, I don't think its far off the mark price wise. I'm not saying it's a bargain, but don't think it's OTT either. It's the additional nights either end and the cost of getting there and back that are making me consider more carefully. (Plus it's priced in Swiss francs with the £ at a record low, bah!).

Watching with interest. Made enquires earlier this week about the transalp event but this is also a possible alternitive

I worked on it for the week and all riders said that the trails were amazing and the organization was impeccable and no, I'm not towing the party line here.

Remember the package includes all entry and accommodation.... plus what you don't always see in back up, support, trail marking, etc etc. As a stage race it does cover some epic areas.

Getting to and from... one uk bod I spoke to paid over Chf 600 one way in a taxi from Zurich airport to Davos, the start... do your research and use the train or network and car-share.

Also make sure your bike is good to go and don't buy parts if possible during the race, they are Swiss prices!

There is reasonable accommodation pre start and finish, even in Davos / St Moritz/ Lenzerheide, again, its a matter of research. Swiss Epic has deals with hotels for competitors so you get a spot with secure guarded bike garage, hotel minutes from the start line and everyone in together. Some breakfast buffets / dinners were incredible.

Plan B would be family in a motorhome following you around...

Finally, think yourself lucky if you don't win an entry to the Cape Epic as that's spendy too!

Thanks Rick! That's the informative insider's view I was hoping for. STW delivers again!

All I know is this country is gawddamn expensive (it's breaking me right now and I'm camping). To be expected when 1 in 10 is a dollar millionaire.

Pretty tho.

Does anyone know if this event has to be done as a pair or can it be done as a solo?

Its pairs for everyone, pro, semi pro or everyone else for all categories. If for some reason your partner has to withdraw you can continue under an IP or IF category so you can complete the stages but you won't appear on GC as your not riding as a pair anymore.

Right from the first-day people were having mechanicals (major ones, 4k into stage 1, day 1), or falls but they continued on all stages.

What doesn't happen once its all started is two singles combine to make a new pair, you carry on individually. Unsure if you get a finishers medal as an individual, but you can finish.

Early bird entry saves Chf200 ish...

Its a fair chunk of money but as a package as hotels etc are included, it does soften it a little.. and no, I don't work for the company hosting it!

Another one I was interested in was the BC Bike Race in Canada. Just watched the Youtube guy BKXC do the whole thing along with Paul the Punter and Syd and Macky.

I rode it with my wife, a month after getting married. We really enjoyed it, though organising a wedding was not the best training!
We were really impressed by the level of organisation, support, and professionalism from the race team and volunteers. The route was spectacular, and some of the trails really tested us technically.

The accommodation and food included was great. We didn't need to take anything with us except riding food. Breakfast, race village food, and dinner was more than enough.
I see that the route is different again for next year: new host towns. But I am sure it will be great as well.

EDIT FOR LOGISTICS:
We flew to Zurich, then trained to Davos. We got there two days early so rode the test loop the day before. Some people were unlucky with airlines losing bags so a day spare was handy.
We also stayed on a night after the finish, organised through the event, so we could leave our bike bags in storage at the hotel for the whole week. It made it easier and neither of us much fancied packing bikes away immediately after finishing.
We took the normal spares: pads, mech hangers, gear cable, BB bearings, jockey wheels. We only replaced pads over the whole week. Each town had bike shops if you needed anything urgent, and there was a team of mechanics organised by the race working late into the night for anyone who needed professional support. You paid when you collected the bike. They seemed to do great work.
Not sure if that answers all your questions, let me know if you have any other thoughts!

Thanks James, great to get a review from a punter. Congrats and what a way to spend your honeymoon!

I'm sold, just need to find a team mate now!

Missus still wants to do if for her 40th. We've got just over 3 years to train (next year's Dirty Reiver will go towards that) 🙂

@si77 Thanks. It was a great start to married life. The proper honeymoon is Cape Epic in March.

@johnw1984 Awesome. Good luck with the training and the Dirty Reiver!