It's all relative. 3-5 hours riding through rock gardens might well be considered epic. With some of the ones we have around here 3-5 hours is insane. Now 8+ hours on a fire road to me would not be epic, but just plain boring, no matter how many switchbacks it had.

By the way, Pete, you take some "epic" photographs if I do say so myself. I live in a vastly scenic area, and I can't get a good picture unless I buy it.