Interesting......

[EZRider]

Ja whatever .

You and the other bully here suffer from the same fate, you misinterpret what I (or people) type, make up you owns assumptions, put it in to your own words and then come one here like a regular patronizing twit.

 

It's the same attitude with which you typed your drivel that makes the "racing" scene what it is.

 

Ja whatever.

You must be right.

[Tumbleweed]

In my case that's not possible tjop

 

But, but, what about the hair in that pic?

[Wyatt Earp]

Ja whatever.

You must be right.

:lol: :lol:

Now go and be a good little racer boy

[nochain]

No to try and be argumentative just for the sake of it, so don't take this as an attack.

Your finishing sentence almost contradicts your first one.

 

Your last sentence is exactly what I am on about, that is what around 70 % of the cyclists should be thinking about.

 

I say have races where you go and race, but then have events, I will take the Attakwas as an example.

It's punted as a challenge and not a race, the mentality of all the riders, except for the top 15 podium spots is exactly that, they do the Atta as a challenge ,not to race their mate, not to try and bragg on some forum how they ended up in the top whatever, but rather to go home with the satisfaction that they attempted a challenge and managed to complete it successfully, the next year they go back and they compete against themselves.

 

We need more events like that, I found the general vibe at Atta to be immensely friendly, it reminded me of the old days when we used to do races to see the country, not to try and better our seeding.

The condradiction just shows you the difference in the mind-set one can have about an event. I ride my bike for one reason only and that is to race, I love racing my bike because I can compete on it.

I might do one or 2 events a year on a bike that I enter just to ride my bike and then mostly I end up not enjoying it.

 

But when I run I have a different mind-set, I might try and run a PB once or twice a year but the rest of the time I just do the event because it's a nice way to spend a Saturday morning....

[Wyatt Earp]

The condradiction just shows you the difference in the mind-set one can have about an event. I ride my bike for one reason only and that is to race, I love racing my bike because I can compete on it.

 

Exactly what I am referring to the mindset.

I love to race my bike, don't get me wrong, but I can assure you I will still be around another 40 years or so, not all burnt out like some and all they talk about is "how great they used to be as a cyclist" or "I used to be a big cyclist myself"

I have seen the trend make full circle many times over the years, it's as a result of too much to soon that we don't see the two Groenwald brothers anymore, I reckon Eugene had the makings of a true champ.

Edited January 6, 2012 by Dangle

[BushGoblin]

That's all good, and that is where the sport used to be years ago, people call it healthy competitiveness, but when some ignorant runt races his mate for 543 rd. position and pushes all and sundry out of the way just to do that, then the negative side of things start creeping in.

It's called race face, many have it.

And @ Taz, I really don't have to worry about sitting hooked up with these uncouth middle of the pack race facers.

 

You know Benjamin, just to get back to your post, I have been chatting to people that I met at the very first Barberton and Sabie MTB. races, we a lll feel that the sport has lost that community feel it used to have.

Back in the day we loaded up a car with bikes and kit that the exhaust would almost drag on the ground, we would camp and get to race day and all ride at whatever level we used to ride at, the great thing was that afterwards none of us walked around with pumped up chests looking down on anyone else just because you made it in to the top 100.

It was different, we used to meet at pubs or have a braai and nobody asked anyone else what their time was, instead we sat talking about what part of the race we enjoyed most and what a great time we had.

 

Now all you hear from people is how the marshals stuffed up, how their time was wrong, how they overpaid, how poorly stocked up the water tables were and on an on.

 

too true.

[johannrissik]

too true.

 

I haven't been following this too closely, but Dangle I have to make one small correction ......it's "ignorant runt races his mate for 34543 rd. position"

[outoftowner]

Some hubbers have completely lost track of the topic,but it is clear to see that are some deep seeded social issues at play. We live in a very competitive/materialistic society, heavily based on the american model, which explains why so many shopping malls,and BMW drivers are popping up all over the place.It is sad to see so many mountain bikers that are more concerned about what they ride, than how ride.The last race I attended, I noticed the amount of status some riders attached to their equipment,and leaves me concerned for the future of the sport, with the average joe being forced out, due the increasing cost involved.Last thing I want to see is a Little rich boy club.

On the topic of 29ers, its huge in America, and even George W. Bush rides one. Says it all I think.

[EZRider]

:lol: :lol:

Now go and be a good little racer boy

 

Thanks, I was waiting for your permission.

[Tumbleweed]

Some hubbers have completely lost track of the topic,but it is clear to see that are some deep seeded social issues at play. We live in a very competitive/materialistic society, heavily based on the american model, which explains why so many shopping malls,and BMW drivers are popping up all over the place.It is sad to see so many mountain bikers that are more concerned about what they ride, than how ride.The last race I attended, I noticed the amount of status some riders attached to their equipment,and leaves me concerned for the future of the sport, with the average joe being forced out, due the increasing cost involved.Last thing I want to see is a Little rich boy club.On the topic of 29ers, its huge in America, and even George W. Bush rides one. Says it all I think.

 

Most of the newbies I have sold bikes to over the last year aren't interested in racing at all. They mostly want something decent - entry to mid-level - that they can ride with their spouses, partners or kids to keep fit.

 

And Bush is buddies with Lance. 'Nuff said.

[SwissVan]

Someone mention LAnce....

 

Interesting..... the OP's topic got mugged hubbed

 

Man you dudes are getting faaaar to serious.....

 

IMO the SA version of racing is great because of the huge amount of races (running and cycling) be they fun races or slightly more serious Vets / Licensed / Regional or National level races that are available and that they cater for all types i.e. you don’t have to be a Euro Pro lookalike to take part in a race and will always find someone of the same thinking and fitness level to comepete / ride with.

 

Here folks look at you with big eyes if you tell them you are going to do a cycle race, because racing is the domain of the real racer types who take their sport, lifestyle, diet, training etc very seriously.

 

As an example I refer to a local “Jedermans or Volksrennen race” (Everyones or peoples race, i.e. anyone can enter and no license is required) called the Zuri Metzgete that is held in Zurich every year, the distance is +/- 70 km with a few steep climbs, probably the closest you will get to a Swiss version of the 94.7 but nowhere near as many participants....

 

Anyway the last time I did it (+/- 2004) there where 2 participants on mountain bikes (it’s a road race with +/- 2500 participants) and they were not locals (Saffas who decided to do it for FUN actually).

 

The point being that here you simply don’t enter a race for fun or even worse a road race on a mtb.....even if it’s a race meant for anyone or a peoples race.

 

Peace and enjoy the SA race calander with all its fun races

[EZRider]

Some hubbers have completely lost track of the topic,but it is clear to see that are some deep seeded social issues at play. We live in a very competitive/materialistic society, heavily based on the american model, which explains why so many shopping malls,and BMW drivers are popping up all over the place.It is sad to see so many mountain bikers that are more concerned about what they ride, than how ride.The last race I attended, I noticed the amount of status some riders attached to their equipment,and leaves me concerned for the future of the sport, with the average joe being forced out, due the increasing cost involved.Last thing I want to see is a Little rich boy club.

On the topic of 29ers, its huge in America, and even George W. Bush rides one. Says it all I think.

 

The only way the average joe could be forced out is if the entry fee and transport to events becomes prohibitive.

No one is forced to observe any kind of status or care what others think about them or their bikes. If someone works hard enough and is passionate enough about his gear to be able to afford a high end bike than why should he not enjoy it? And if he insecure enough to define himself by his bike and looks down on the guy with an entry level machine then that, truly, is his own problem.

I have been called a racer boy when I am neither racer nor boy, just someone who likes competing, at my own level, likes good bikes and is tired of Internet warriors on soap boxes babbling on about how cool everything used to be when it was all chilled man.

Go out. Ride your bike. Compete, don't compete.

 

Ja, whatever.

 

But don't think your fart smells like lavender just because your bike is cheap or you hate the fact that timed rides are called races or that someone may get a kick out of beating you.

[Big H*]

Don't know about that one....I enjoy my bike because I can race it, if I could not race then I am not sure I would ride that much in the first place.

To me it’s all about pushing yourself as hard as possible while trying to beat the other guy that gets me on a bike, it's the race that I want!!

 

Then again when I go to a running race I have no chance in hell to compete so I just run to enjoy being out there with likeminded people...so it really depends on what you want from the event.

 

Now I undertand why sum poeples shun their ever so trusty 26" hardtail and buy a Super Dooper Carbon snap, crackle, pop bike with twenty naainer wheels ....... And they ustify it by saying it "rolls" better....... Horseshyte!!!!!!!

 

Gullible!!!!!!!

Edited January 6, 2012 by eccentric1

[outoftowner]

The only way the average joe could be forced out is if the entry fee and transport to events becomes prohibitive.

No one is forced to observe any kind of status or care what others think about them or their bikes. If someone works hard enough and is passionate enough about his gear to be able to afford a high end bike than why should he not enjoy it? And if he insecure enough to define himself by his bike and looks down on the guy with an entry level machine then that, truly, is his own problem.

I have been called a racer boy when I am neither racer nor boy, just someone who likes competing, at my own level, likes good bikes and is tired of Internet warriors on soap boxes babbling on about how cool everything used to be when it was all chilled man.

Go out. Ride your bike. Compete, don't compete.

 

Ja, whatever.

 

But don't think your fart smells like lavender just because your bike is cheap or you hate the fact that timed rides are called races or that someone may get a kick out of beating you.

[pastapouch]

I think the europeans are more into riding their bikes than pimping them, buying them etc. There it's a culture of cycling, here it's a culture of shopping.....

Very well said. Its same with cars, here you determine your status by the car you drive, or the bicycle you ride, or most try. Overseas cars doesn't mean much other than the purpose of taking you from point A to point B.

[outoftowner]

The only way the average joe could be forced out is if the entry fee and transport to events becomes prohibitive.

No one is forced to observe any kind of status or care what others think about them or their bikes. If someone works hard enough and is passionate enough about his gear to be able to afford a high end bike than why should he not enjoy it? And if he insecure enough to define himself by his bike and looks down on the guy with an entry level machine then that, truly, is his own problem.

I have been called a racer boy when I am neither racer nor boy, just someone who likes competing, at my own level, likes good bikes and is tired of Internet warriors on soap boxes babbling on about how cool everything used to be when it was all chilled man.

Go out. Ride your bike. Compete, don't compete.

 

Ja, whatever.

 

But don't think your fart smells like lavender just because your bike is cheap or you hate the fact that timed rides are called races or that someone may get a kick out of beating you.