mtb events (which to choose)

[madvics]

So I was paging through the ride magazine race calender that we get early in the year, and was wondering with so many events in and around Gauteng which are the must do races and which ones can we leave out?

 

I would start a poll of sorts but wouldn't even know where to begin?

 

So can the hubbers mention which mtb events they never miss out, and which ones they wont go back to?

[Watcher]

You pose a very interesting question and it would be nice to get an "overall" perspective of hubbers feelings around certain series and events (these rants & raves are generally discussed on individual event threads), but a general consensus here would be really nice.

 

Your idea of a poll would be great, but again being a newbie myself, I wouldn't know where to start either & maybe another hubber can help here? but maybe some things to consider:

1. Overall prestige of a race / series
   
2. Cost of race (value for money)
   
3. Distances to race venue (transport costs)
   
4. Organizational skill levels of the race organisers
   
5. Timing, Seeding & batch organization Timing
   
6. Route creation
   
7. Route classification ie flat, technical, fast etc.
   
8. Route marking
   
9. Batch management & the aggravation thereof, bottlenecks etc. (ie. 70km joining 40 km joining 20 & 10 km and racing snakes scaring the crap outta the 10km kids, & kids & families etc. holding up the racing snakes)
   
10. Marshaling & EMS
    
11. Non-racing related facilities & entertainment - food/refreshments etc,
    
12. Toilet / shower facilities
    

[madvics]

Thanx I couldn't have put it better myself. I myself have only done trail seeker races so I cannot make comparisons as yet, I want to do different events but need to know which are value for money and great fun races.

[arendoog]

There was a comprehensive thread for this a while back .The trialseeker series is ok ,but the numbers are getting to big for my liking .I like the smaller events with smaller fields .

[jcza]

Trailseeker

Cullinan much better route this year but loads of traffic. Van Gaalen should be great as always. Hakahana was good last year. Tyger Valley and Irene wont see me again.

 

Worth doing

Magalies Monster

Walkerville

USN Series (specifically Red Barn but expect traffic)

Cradle Trophy & Route69

 

Others

Dirtmax Parys (hours drive and some district road)

Babbas (does what it says on the tin)

Voriberg (not sure if its still going)

[madvics]

Thanks Jcsa I agree with you,

 

trailseeker: Van Gaalens (will never miss)

Cullinan ( enjoyable but lots of traffic)

Irene (wont see me again)

Hakahana (gonna do this year)

what I want to do are: Magalies monster

USN big Red barn

Walkerville

cradle trophy

Route 69

dirtmax

Voriberg

[schizo]

I'm still new to this as well, but I enjoyed the Magalies Monster, It was very well organized and overall a fun event, Cullinan trailseeker was nice, but agree with the rest, very busy

[VicanZA]

do them all once then u will know for urself, in my second year now and am much more selective. dont see the walkerville classic as anything worth while unless u stay in the area, much like the fast one.

 

focus is now on stage racing and longer rides...

[rouxtjie]

I'm still new to this as well, but I enjoyed the Magalies Monster, It was very well organized and overall a fun event, Cullinan trailseeker was nice, but agree with the rest, very busy

Sign up for the next nissan at VG....the crown jewel of the nissan series. NOT TO BE MISSED

[_David_]

Trailseeker

Cullinan much better route this year but loads of traffic. Van Gaalen should be great as always. Hakahana was good last year.

 

Tyger Valley and Irene wont see me again.

 

Worth doing

Magalies Monster

Walkerville

USN Series (specifically Red Barn but expect traffic)

Cradle Trophy & Route69

 

Others

Dirtmax Parys (hours drive and some district road)

Babbas (does what it says on the tin)

Voriberg (not sure if its still going)

 

+1 and I think the Silverstar MTB Challenge is worth doing as well.

Edited July 19, 2013 by d@vid

[LONE TWO]

I really enjoy the USN series especially the one at Big Red Barn. Cant wait for the 3rd of August. I also like the trailseekers series and looking forward to VG. The Redstone series looks good aswell going to give it a go.