Naas Vermaak

Event Name: Napier Patat Festival MTB Race When: 14 June 2014 Where: Napier - Agulhas School of Skills, Western Cape Category: MTB Moenie hierdie jaar se "Napier Patat Festival" "mountain bike race" misloop nie. Dit beloof om baie opwindend te wees met nuwe roetes en kontant pryse vir elke afdeling! Daar is selfs 'n R30 000 "Lucky Draw" op die spel! Afstande: 60km (R160), 30km (R120), 15km (R80) & Kiddies ("on day registration") Plek: Agulhas Skills School, Napier. Meer inligting en vir aanlyn inskrywings: www.napierpatatmtb.co.za. Die opbrengs van die resies gaan na Southernmost Foundation (www.southernmostfoundation.co.za) om meer en meer geleenthede vir voorheen benadeelde kinders te skep. Go to Event Page

Thank you to everyone for their 2 c's, some better than others but nevertheless a very healthy and constructive thread from most. I have forwarded the link to the WC MTB XCO for interest sake and sincerely hope that this debate will aid XCO evnts and building tracks etc all across the board. Myself, I only started with serious MTB 3 years ago(is 54 now) and has more scars to show from this than 12 years of serious ROADIE-life. I am certainly not superiour as far as skills are concerned as some would suggest but definately has the passion to become a much better MTB-er. Please contribute some more to the thread, if you wish and thank you.

Thx so far. It now seems clear that a B-line is a must and I agree. Next thing then is that one should actually look at grading the obstacles and determine the time-penalty per obstacle. Also the number of obstacles should be a determining factor. If you have only 4 obstacles then clearly a 3-5 sec penalty is not enough, more 10 - 15 seconds. If you have 10 obstacles then 5 sec's per obstacle is more acceptable. What we are all in agreement with though is that the technical proficient and fit rider should podium and not the fit strong rider that has below par technical skills, am I right?

And if you think so, how much should the time penalty be for taking the chicken run? Firstly, I feel there should not be chicken runs(you can walk) but if there is, the time penalty per chicken run should be at least 15 seconds. Some background Having competed at provincial & national events seeing a lot of riders opting for the chicken run repeatedly(which hardly penalise, maybe 3- 5 seconds) and then ends up on the podium to be crowned a champion at a XCO event does not sound right to me - but that's my opinion and I actually want to hear what others think. Before you post, just think for a moment the hours and hours that a true XCO rider has to put in in order to master those XCO skills and the repeated risk every lap at every obstacle while racing - so the question is risk vs time-penalty - what is justified and fair? Let's have a healthy constructive discussion.

ABSOLUTELY!! We jam every end of the month at the Golfclub as well as Suntouched inn in Napier - massive talent around here...rock, metal

Thx Guys Bredasdorp is actually the spot - here where I live, so come and ride our trails - www.southernmostfoundation.co.za. But I need to get away for a change and like to explore elsewhere. Thx

Where would you go for holiday to train and ride with strong roadies AND MTB-ers Have great mtb trails Have great tarred roads with passes etc and of course great parties & Rock music ...not so important