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The Epic Team Champs Return

The CO/VA Connection ventured to TSEpic in 2011 a little unsure of what they’d find.  They were some of the first to jump into the Epic Team ring which can be a little tough to figure out, but is super fun to do.

An Epic Team may have up to 5 members.
1 person from the team must finish each day.
The team is scored on the fastest rider each day.
There are no qualification otherwise on how many from the team may ride each day – sign in and rip some trail!

The Connection stamped their names on the Epic Team Cup that will be passed from winning team to winning team each year.  They’re coming back to defend the cup.

With that Epic Team Cup comes a killer prize – the winning team gets free entry into the next year’s event.  We recently caught up with the characters on this squad as they saddle up for 2012.

Hey Fellas.  Thanks for taking the time to chat.  First up, who is on the team this year?  Any changes?

Same team members as last year. Let me roll call here through the decades: Tanner will be twelve this year I think, can’t wait to see how much he has grown. Derek is twenty three or so he has maybe put on a few pounds? Joey (your’s truly) is representing the thirties. Kevin our team leader and sponsorship coordinator is forty something. When you take in the fact that Mr. Boyes turns the big 5-0 this year. So we got 5 decades of mountain biking pleasure on this team, we are bringing that with us.

Forty year spread between youngest and oldest is pretty wild.  Did that mix of ages contribute to the choice to do the Epic Team last year?

It was the brain child of Kevin Wetzel really. He and Jonathan Davis were riding pals in an earlier life and they talked about this event and decided to make it happen. The team catagory is what sealed the deal cuz Tanner was able to get in with us and Jonathan would be able to rage in the solo class.  This would be a great time to mention and thank Kevin’s wonderful and gorgeous wife who is our sponsor. Her dental practice was kind enough to sponsor the CO/VA connection (our team) and give us some tooth care packages as well.

Which, of course, is a good thing what with some of this team in the vicinity of WV and all – I’m sure those pearly whites and perfect smiles stand out like crazy down there.  All those good looking smiles must be some sweet visibility for ‘Kevin’s Wife’s Dental Practice.’  What did you like most about the Epic Team competition?

I guess we all liked the Team competition due to the flexibility on finish times. I mean as long as you had a team mate up the road you just had to make sure that you were ready to roll on if he had a mechanical or what have you. We were able to use our team strength last year to achieve total domination of the category.

And dominate you did.  Besides winning that cup (and getting to come back for free this year!) what did you guys like most about the TSEpic?

The thing we liked the most about it was that it was a total blast!  Well organized, nice venue, awesome trails, great volunteers. Too many things to mention, not sure it would have been as much fun had we not been in the team category. It took a lot of the racing pressure off.  First of all we didn’t have much competition (no offense to anyone) and with the other dudes out there riding (especially Derek) it felt like we were sharing the work.

I gotta agree.  I feel like if I were doing this thing these days I’d pick the Epic Team option and round up a bunch of friends for the adventure.  By the way, I’m sure no one is offended by you calling them wusses.  So, what’s the plan for this year – besides picking fights with the other Epic Teams I mean?  What’d you learn from doing the Epic Team gig last year?

Total Domination is pretty much our plan. We will settle for nothing less than that. Actually do have some strategy this year since we know what we are getting into. The ultimate plan is to have fun and I’m positive we will be successful in that category, prolly first place. You can go ahead and engrave the medallions on that one.

You guys are trendsetters.  There’s a whole bunch more Epic Teams lined up this year – we’re triple where we were last year.  What do you think about the competition?

There is going to be competition? Well that should be fun. We are looking forward to a good ole’ fashion throw down. If you are talking about those fellars from Philly, well I think they better pack a good sized lunch if they are planning on knocking us off of the throne.

I don’t know about lunch, but I’m sure between the two teams there will be plenty of empties laying around.  While we’re on the topic though there’s this other guy, Tim Johnson, coming for an Epic Team gig.  He’s gone fast once or twice and I’m guessing he’ll chime in about the podium.  Speaking of fast,  how long before Tanner is challenging for the fastest on the team?

Who knows? Could be Wednesday of the Epic. We have not seen or heard from Tanner all year. You know how kids are from 11-12 years old. He could have a mustache by now for all we know.

Might that upset Derek though since he’d then be the odd man out?  Or did you all shave in order to alter your appearance to try to avoid the media spotlight?  Speaking of, how have you handled the fame and pressure?  Have the interviews and paparazzi interfered with this year’s prep?

Somehow we have managed to handle the fame and pressure. It has been hard at times, we were offered sponsorship from Specialized and Cadillac but turned them down. Although, we may be wearing Versace on the podium this year. There have been a lot of cameras in our face but our prep is still right on time.  Our team is not distracted like Rocky Balboa during his first fight with Clubber Lang in “Rocky 3″.  We are more like the second fight in that movie where Rocky destroys Mr. T.  I pity the fool who tries to take the cup away from us!

You heard the man, don’t be a fool!  Go get that Versace squirrel neck warmer and swing it around in the air to support the CO/VA Connection at this years NoTubes Trans-Sylvania Epic.  

Check out their progress in the coming Epic Team throwdown right here on TSEpic.com.