I did it in under 5 hours my first trip. Thats moving time. My second in about the same with stops to wait for the slower riders. My second it took 3.5 hours of moving time on Strava. I was happy with that. Give yourself about 6 or so hours including happy snaps and eating stops and you should be right. Bring lots of food. Everyone will need it. Stay on the fire road at the top of stonefly. I havent ridden that yet, I'm told its crap but you may find that easier with a big group and the inevitable crash or two along stonefly descent.How long did you guys take to complete the Epic doing the Stonefly climb/descent & Circuit Rd route, Big Tim (or anyone else who's done the same route)?
Just trying to get a gauge how long it'll take for a group of us that'll be up there at the end of the month. Going to be 9 guys & girls with a mixed range of abilities (intermediate riders would best describe the 2 least experienced in the group). There'll undoubtedly be gas-bagging, arse-scratching & general waiting for fellow riders at varying points (+ the food/drink stop that people will want to do), so am weighing up making the most of the climb i.e. descend the group via Stonefly, or just descending the fire road as marked in order to avoid it being a 7h protracted affair. Would it be a fair guess the alt route via Stonefly descent/ Climbing Circuit Rd to TBJ adds 45+min to the overall Epic time? The saving grace for our planned Epic adventure on the Sunday is that given we're staying in Sawmill Settlement our route effectively will end at Carters Rd after the last long descent.
Likewise those who've stayed in Sawmill & ridden to Mirimbah (end of Epic trail), roughly how long does it take to ride that endsection along the river to the Mirimbah gate/shuttle? Last time we stayed in Sawmill the Epic hadn't been completed & subsequently we had to ride the main road to & from, which sucked balls. Loving the prospect of actually being able to ride some nice trail to the shuttle pick up for those who are renting houses off the mountain.
Give yourself another 15 or so minutes to ride the end of Epic descent to Mirimbah. I'm guessing that but it seems right. Its an easy ride but you are stuffed from the climbing beforehand. Its a nice little trail. Couple of very small pinches but overall a lovely relaxing ride.
Enjoy the day.