Sabie Experience 2012

[Cyclejunkiejake]

Nah, no more team entries for the long race... Its now the SOLO Xperience- the first solo stage race in the country. Biggest constraint? Prize money and the fact that the team entries have taken a steady decline over the past few years.

 

All categories in both events get prize money to the tune of just under R100k. check out http://www.sabiexperience.co.za/solo-xperience-team-lite/prize-money

[Lexx]

That sucks. I was so looking forward to getting a partner and riding 3-4 days. But now,its only 2 days. What a waste.....

[The Ghost]

On the other hand, I'm one of the many that us excited about the shorter 2 day solo.

[DR ◣◢]

Same here. Gives more people the chance to experience the whole stage race concept.

 

Might just be doing it this year.

[AfterDark]

I received the new format explanation from the Sabie Race Office yesterday.

It is as I initially thought back when the rumours about the route changes first surfaced.

The original and real experience had to take a bow to the demands of the mighty rand and to that of the sponsor.

In Dennis Lawrie's own words this year's race is targeted at the Average Joe, it is pitched as the big do-able event now.

 

When the legends die, the dreams end; there is no more greatness.

 

I do support the concept of giving every-one a chance to have a go at stage racing, but I am also off the opinion that the organisers have with these changes forgotten all about the experience core supporters. These are the guys that came back year after year wanting to be challenged, to struggle through the mud, to fight the wall, to survive the mamba. We want to freeze on the mountain and be dehydrated in the valleys. This is the EXPERIENCE.

 

So maybe all is not lost - I wait in anticipation for more info on the full hard core version.

[AfterDark]

Who is organising the Sabie Experience for 2012? Dont see it listed on the www.gocyclingsa.co.za as one of their events any more.

[Cyclejunkiejake]

You can contact Dennis Lawrie directly on DLawrie@forestventures.co.za or the race office via website: http://www.sabiexperience.co.za/contact-us

 

FYI the pre-rides take place from 9 to 11 Nov!

 

And as metioned elsewhere on the hub, the rumours surrounding the 'bigger' Experience have been confirmed! The organisers of the Lowvelds biggest races, The 3 Towers, Sabie Experience and Induna have joined forces to bring the best of all these races into one huge, tough point to point stage race: The Lowveld Quest! go check out http://www.mankele.co.za/events_lowveld-quest.php

[The Ghost]

Im guessing this is going to have plenty hills to slog up.

[Klint Powasol]

Those of you riding, racing or just having a family ride. We will be at Sabie with our Powasol Bike Wash team. R 40 per wash for online prebookings and R 50 per wash Polish and Lube on the day. For more details please mail us on sales@powasol.co.za thanks and see you soon.

[Big Til]

Hi guys

 

Anyone doing the pre-rides next week?

[JarradVZ]

No pre-rides for us. We'll be at the main event though with a contingent of rigid SS bikes. Looking forward to this one.

[Big Til]

Ive never been to Sabie so thought it would be good to get an idea of the terrain, hopefully im not the only one there next weekend. Then again, could mean that i get my first podium .

[Nettie R]

..I do support the concept of giving every-one a chance to have a go at stage racing, but I am also off the opinion that the organisers have with these changes forgotten all about the experience core supporters. These are the guys that came back year after year wanting to be challenged, to struggle through the mud, to fight the wall, to survive the mamba. We want to freeze on the mountain and be dehydrated in the valleys. This is the EXPERIENCE.

+1 on what you said.

The Sabie x was my husband's nemesis, despite riding Joberg2c and Epic. The terrain each year is different because of the weather.

This watered down version removed the challenge and now my x-lite was cut in half.

The riders who wanted to play around on their bikes each day without proper racing, could've joined the coffee group who rode out every day at leisure pace, covering +-20km each day.

[GLuvsMtb]

Again proof that you can't please all the people all the time. With the calendar as full as it is right now, it does not surprise me that the orginisers are looking into what the majority of the public wants. Very few orginisers can make the tougher than tough races work (I venture a guess that the Epic is probably the ONLY race that succeeds here). The biggest growth in event numbers are seen in the races that target the whole family to come and participate and where you have the opportunity to explore a bit beyond the bike. I remembered coming home from Sabie X in 2008 and thinking that I wish I had a few hours a day to go see God's Window, go have pancakes at Harrie's and see some of the other attractions around. We ended up finishing our ride, stripping down our bikes to clean and repair and rebuilding them in the pouring rain. This way local business and tourism gets maximum benefit because we have time to explore the area and spend our ZARs. The other alternative would have been to try and cram the race into the busy Easter period when it would be dryer and riders would have better chance at a dry race.

I have stayed away from Sabie X after my very enjoyable 2008 excursion because I cannot afford to take another 3 days to relax and make the most of having to pay for a plane ticket, car rental and accommodation for the trip.

Maybe they'll see me in 2013 if this format stays on the cards.

[Big Til]

starting to think i'll be the only one at the pre-rides....

[Mike Bike]

starting to think i'll be the only one at the pre-rides....

im sure there will be others...

 

i am looking forward to doing the 4 day event..