only in SA

[sadamhussein]

looking at the advert below for a new film, i find it peculiar how they describe mountain biking:

 

]the world of mountain biking is a disjointed network of seemingly similar but disconnected communities. Freeride. Downhill. Big Mountain. All Mountain. Dirt Jump. Slopestyle. [/color]

 

haha, cross country isn't even included!

 

it goes to show that despite what the majority of south africans may think, there really is a LOT more to mountainbiking than turning every ride into a boring endurance race where we try and show our so-called friends that it's all about getting there first.

 

it seems we are obsessed with cross country because we lack imagination, but surprise surprise, there is a whole world of fun to be had out there people! wake up!

Edited May 15, 2012 by sadamhussein

[ThePubSA]

Didnt dirt roadies invent XC.

 

Plus real MTB'ing starts @ 140 mm

[Wallee]

Didnt dirt roadies invent XC.

 

Plus real MTB'ing starts @ 140 mm

 

No, they invented Marathon races!

[Tumbleweed]

Didnt dirt roadies invent XC.

 

Plus real MTB'ing starts @ 140 mm

 

Wll, cyclocross did play a big part in the evolution of MTB…

[ThePubSA]

No, they invented Marathon races!

 

MIFF

[Eldron]

looking at the advert below for a new film, i find it peculiar how they describe mountain biking:

 

 

 

haha, cross country isn't even included!

 

it goes to show that despite what the majority of south africans may think, there really is a LOT more to mountainbiking than turning every ride into a boring endurance race where we try and show our so-called friends that it's all about getting there first.

 

it seems we are obsessed with cross country because we lack imagination, but surprise surprise, there is a whole world of fun to be had out there people! wake up!

 

You really don't have a clue do you?

 

Freeride. Downhill. Big Mountain. All Mountain. Dirt Jump. Slopestyle all fit into the "extreme" category of mtb.

 

XC, Marathon are not mentioned because they're a different category. Well maybe not XC - it seemsw to heading the "extreme" route too. Some people love big jump, some people loves endurance, some people love SS, some people just love tootling around on their bikes for a bit of fun.

 

Why can't we all just get along?

[wesley_r]

XC / Marathon aren't included because they're not good material for an "extreme" mtb film go tell Brian Lopes or Burry Stander they're not real mountain bikers, I dare you

 

But I do see the point OP was making - there is more to mountain biking than "fun ride" races, epic marathons and XC... but somehow, despite the abundance of "big" trails, these disciplines seem to be the most prevalant in SA - just ask any LBS what they sell more of - 140mm all-mountain machines, or short travel carbon 29ers

 

No reason we can't all get along though, even if you are a dirt roadie

Edited May 15, 2012 by the_wes

[Tumbleweed]

You really don't have a clue do you?

 

Freeride. Downhill. Big Mountain. All Mountain. Dirt Jump. Slopestyle all fit into the "extreme" category of mtb.

 

XC, Marathon are not mentioned because they're a different category. Well maybe not XC - it seemsw to heading the "extreme" route too. Some people love big jump, some people loves endurance, some people love SS, some people just love tootling around on their bikes for a bit of fun.

 

Why can't we all just get along?

 

[patches]

XC / Marathon aren't included because they're not good material for an "extreme" mtb film go tell Brian Lopes or Burry Stander they're not real mountain bikers, I dare you

 

But I do see the point OP was making - there is more to mountain biking than "fun ride" races, epic marathons and XC... but somehow, despite the abundance of "big" trails, these disciplines seem to be the most prevalant in SA - just ask any LBS what they sell more of - 140mm all-mountain machines, or short travel carbon 29ers

 

No reason we can't all get along though, even if you are a dirt roadie

 

na... they're at least former DH champions

Edited May 15, 2012 by patches

[sadamhussein]

there's nothing "extreme" about all mountain riding. it's about how the rest of the mountainbiking world views itself, to them XC seems extreme - it's a fringe activity practiced by a minority of riders around the world, for personal glory.

 

it just so happens that in SA, the majority of riders are into XC because they have never been exposed to anything else. there is a competitive urge whereby you have to continually outdo your fellow riders by having a lighter bike, faster average, longer bar ends etc.

 

i have been on many rides with many people, and to me, when i go ride in a forest it's about being in nature, getting fresh air, taking in the scenery. i take my time to the top, and have my fun on the way down. but most importantly it's about doing this with my friends, so when one (new) member in the the group keeps racing out ahead on the uphills like it's a race, and in doing so starts making everyone in the group feel like they have to keep up for the sake of being sociable, my blood starts to boil.

 

this scenario has a tendency to keep repeating itself. one or two guys race ahead, and in doing so splits up the group. then everyone else tries to catch up and it's no longer a social ride, it's a race.

[Eldron]

XC / Marathon aren't included because they're not good material for an "extreme" mtb film go tell Brian Lopes or Burry Stander they're not real mountain bikers, I dare you

 

But I do see the point OP was making - there is more to mountain biking than "fun ride" races, epic marathons and XC... but somehow, despite the abundance of "big" trails, these disciplines seem to be the most prevalant in SA - just ask any LBS what they sell more of - 140mm all-mountain machines, or short travel carbon 29ers

 

No reason we can't all get along though, even if you are a dirt roadie

 

There is definitely more to mtb than endurance events but it's natural for the majority of mtb riders to be "dirt roadies". Extreme mtb requires a specific skill set and equipment - your average rider is not too interested in acquiring those skills/equipment.

 

Same for road riding - the majority of riders will finish a 100km slower than 3 hours because a sub 3 requires dedication, time and attention - something most riders don't want to do.

 

Likewise running - most enjoy a good half or marathon road race - numbers in trail running are a lot lower. Climbing fast but lower.

 

Mr. Joe Average enjoys a once or twice a week venture outdoors with a bike - nothing wrong with that...

[Eldron]

there's nothing "extreme" about all mountain riding. it's about how the rest of the mountainbiking world views itself, to them XC seems extreme - it's a fringe activity practiced by a minority of riders around the world, for personal glory.

 

it just so happens that in SA, the majority of riders are into XC because they have never been exposed to anything else. there is a competitive urge whereby you have to continually outdo your fellow riders by having a lighter bike, faster average, longer bar ends etc.

 

i have been on many rides with many people, and to me, when i go ride in a forest it's about being in nature, getting fresh air, taking in the scenery. i take my time to the top, and have my fun on the way down. but most importantly it's about doing this with my friends, so when one (new) member in the the group keeps racing out ahead on the uphills like it's a race, and in doing so starts making everyone in the group feel like they have to keep up for the sake of being sociable, my blood starts to boil.

 

this scenario has a tendency to keep repeating itself. one or two guys race ahead, and in doing so splits up the group. then everyone else tries to catch up and it's no longer a social ride, it's a race.

 

The need to "race" is a human condition - happens on mtb, road, foot, in the office, in the pub, with your salary slip and a million other places. XC was not responsible for this condition - we humans are. XC just provides a platform for people to use that condition.

 

As does DH...

[sadamhussein]

 

Mr. Joe Average enjoys a once or twice a week venture outdoors with a bike - nothing wrong with that...

 

true, there is nothing wrong with that. so why then does the LBS sell him a xc machine instead of an AM bike?

his fate is decided for him by the bike shop who has xc racers working there when they arent training or racing.

[wesley_r]

Mr. Joe Average enjoys a once or twice a week venture outdoors with a bike - nothing wrong with that...

 

I agree with you... mountain biking is so much bigger than any discipline. In fact, when most of us say "XC", we're not even referring to "XC" (which is actually a racing discipline, more than a "genre" of cycling) - what we're really referring to is "mountain biking" - Mr Joe Average riding his bike outdoors on the trails, and doing the odd race here or there...

 

I think what frustrates me the lack of events for other disciplines - we have a healthy DH scene, a healthy XC scene and a healthy "fun ride / race" scene, along with a healthy marathon / stage race scene...

 

We have ZERO all mountain / enduro / super D scene - and there's a lot more people in that classification than what we realise... am I making any sense?

[Beer4Recovery]

looking at the advert below for a new film, i find it peculiar how they describe mountain biking:

 

 

 

haha, cross country isn't even included!

 

it goes to show that despite what the majority of south africans may think, there really is a LOT more to mountainbiking than turning every ride into a boring endurance race where we try and show our so-called friends that it's all about getting there first.

 

it seems we are obsessed with cross country because we lack imagination, but surprise surprise, there is a whole world of fun to be had out there people! wake up!

 

I whole wholeheartedly support your post!! When asking bike shops "Why don't you have the all mountain / technical trail model?" the reply is "we don't import them, there is no market here".

 

Okay fine, no market because XC is big in SA and everyone is coining it with importing XC bikes only, then why don't create an "All mountain" market? If I had a choice of bikes I would have definitely bought a Trek Remedy or Slash instead of my Fuel EX, or whatever other brand.

 

And yes, we do have mountains and forests where these bikes would be put through their paces + it attracts another crowd to the mountain biking scene. I rarely see a XC vibe when I browse sites from overseas, and yes there is more to mountain biking than marathon races and cape epics, and it is not a matter of can we get along it's a matter of catering for everyone in the sport.

 

I really hope we will see more of these machines on the trails and in our shops!

Edited May 15, 2012 by FuelEX

[Tumbleweed]

The need to "race" is a human condition - happens on mtb, road, foot, in the office, in the pub, with your salary slip and a million other places. XC was not responsible for this condition - we humans are. XC just provides a platform for people to use that condition.

 

As does DH...

 

I remember a quote - think it could've been Ritchey, Breeze or Kelly - along the lines of: "When there's two dudes on bikes, it becomes a race." Even on those none-too-serious weekend rides, you'll find yourself sprinting to trailheads, and switching your mate to get there first. Or, maybe that'sn East Rand thing…