I agree, I also stay away from mass participation events because I saw the same thing happen (for example) at CTCT MTB Event when it was still held at Murati and surrounds. Some tannie getting off her bike to push it over a rock on the 60km route, or someone too scared to ride along the steep drop-off you can see them visibly shaking and peeing their bibshorts. People wanting to do a ride for which they clearly don't have the necessary skillset. But I guess it's all in the name of inclusion and not discriminating on the basis of not having the requisite qualities (hey?!).
That begs the question I suppose, how do you deal with it (if at all)? Do you put in place a qualifying event of some kind? Points bases system with minimum requirements needed for entry? If this is a UCI event surely that would be considered to be within reason? I mean you don't see okes rocking up at the Dakar for example without having done a similar event to qualify their desire to participate in a pinacle event.
But, then you stand to lose the many hundreds of entries who come here for the "Untamed" experience, but seeing as how it is being watered down (sorry for the pun) sometimes, it's a bit like tourists coming to Africa to see lions in a cage. I don't know, maybe that's just me...
On a sidenote, I had to laugh at the interviewer today asking about the rider's experiences "up here in the African Wild" (3h20 of YT feed)... I mean, really? haha
