Cairns World Cup #2

[NicoBoshoff]

Access to venues and along the trail does become relevant when you want:

 

- Spectators to go to the star attraction;

 

- Want proper coverage of the event;

 

- Want the venue to be sustainable after the UCI packs up and leaves till the next season.

 

Event coverage is basically an advertising platform for the sport and it's commercial supporters AND the venue. The obvious spin-off is that people watch it, get inspired and want to go and ride. The return on investment for the venue HAS to be visitors throughout the year, no? So then Omega's argument makes perfect sense insofar as it pertains to proper uplift systems at WC venues. I'm not particularly interested in getting amped on a sick line which I saw on TV during a WC event only to get there and be told I have to push my bike up it to ride down.

 

It's like a laaitie dreaming of playing rugby at Newlands (not that I think laaities are particularly inspired lately by Problems) and you then taking him to the warm-up pitch instead. The allure of the prestige associated with that venue is relevant!

 

Obviously I don't really give a crap whether I go up by lift or bakkie or bus. I just don't want to push or hike up.

 

So I would argue that venues that commit to DH WC's should accept that they will then have to create a sustainable infrastructure to make it worth everyone's time and money to travel and ride there for a season (in SA that would be almost the whole year).

 

I'll admit to ignorance here, because maybe Cascades and Cairns do have season long uplift services, in which case I suppose it's splitting hairs when arguing about the quality of the uplifts as long as they're safe and reliable.

 

Anyways, this is perhaps a thread in its own right - uplift options and suggestions.

[nigelhicks]

PMB (and neither Cairns AFAIK) have dedicated "out of race" shuttle services - you are on your own to make a plan to get up the hill - this is unlike Euro where a number (but not all) ski lifts operate during summer.

 

It must be remembered as well that even in Europe - some WC level tracks are not maintained or kept open unless there is a race on ... Champery - is not maintained and the lower section over Danny's jumps are closed!!! (unless there is a race on) ...

 

Same with Schladmings finish area - this is a parking lot for the chairlift.

 

SA on the otherhand has a contract to keep the DH and XC tracks cleared and rideable ALL-YEAR-ROUND ...

 

with regards to transport at WC EVENTS - the regulations state the following

Transport

4.3.025 The organiser must provide transport capable of carrying 100 riders and their bikes per hour to the top of the course.

 

There is no stipulation to the style of transport - just the turn-around capacity ...

Because of this we had a fleet (20 odd) minibusses so that there was always a buss waiting for a rider group.

[Rata Del Spruit]

 

Champery - 630m in 2km

 

 

[NicoBoshoff]

PMB (and neither Cairns AFAIK) have dedicated "out of race" shuttle services - you are on your own to make a plan to get up the hill - this is unlike Euro where a number (but not all) ski lifts operate during summer.

 

It must be remembered as well that even in Europe - some WC level tracks are not maintained or kept open unless there is a race on ... Champery - is not maintained and the lower section over Danny's jumps are closed!!! (unless there is a race on) ...

 

Same with Schladmings finish area - this is a parking lot for the chairlift.

 

SA on the otherhand has a contract to keep the DH and XC tracks cleared and rideable ALL-YEAR-ROUND ...

 

with regards to transport at WC EVENTS - the regulations state the following

Transport

4.3.025 The organiser must provide transport capable of carrying 100 riders and their bikes per hour to the top of the course.

 

There is no stipulation to the style of transport - just the turn-around capacity ...

Because of this we had a fleet (20 odd) minibusses so that there was always a buss waiting for a rider group.

 

But are these venues not missing a trick then by not investing in year round (even if only over weekends) uplift services? Or is there not a big enough big bike market to justify that?

[NicoBoshoff]

I wonder how many riders would commit to buying a full DH rig if Jonkers, Tokai, Cascades had weekend uplift services?

 

I think I would actually find it worth my investment then. Currently there's no ways I'm spending 75% of my weekend's riding pushing a bike. Then I'd rather ride what I'm riding now and be limited to avoiding the big boy lines.

 

Just throwing the ball around here. Maybe the answer is simply no, the market is too small and AM bikes are plenty good enough to ride all our DH lines.

[nigelhicks]

But are these venues not missing a trick then by not investing in year round (even if only over weekends) uplift services? Or is there not a big enough big bike market to justify that?

 

Market just isnt big enough unfortunately - especially here in SA where the focus is primarily on Marathon events - we have had people ask us already - why on earth would you want to shuttle up the hill? just ride it! ....

 

Also then there is the legal side behind paying customers - there need to be indemnities with the landowners (council), land operators (NCT), public, course operaters (KZNMTB) and shuttle operater for liability purposes.

 

Then also the issue that the drivers and vehicles would need to conform to the health and safety act .. and have PDP's etc.

 

Also then who would be responsible for road and vehicle maintanence etc ....

 

And the list goes on and on - at the moment it is just not sustainable

[patches]

But are these venues not missing a trick then by not investing in year round (even if only over weekends) uplift services? Or is there not a big enough big bike market to justify that?

 

 

Nope, the market isn't big enough.

Even if like you say, there's an increase in DH rig sales, due to uplift availability, there still will not be enough riders utilizing it to make it worthwhile.

 

I heard from a Port du Soliel local that during summer not only do they not run all the lifts, bu the ones they do run just manage to break even. And that's an area where thousands, if not tens of thousands of riders pass through those lifts each summer.

 

...and our MTB scene pales in comparion.

 

It is really ski season that keeps ski lifts in business.

[Hairy]

I enjoyed watching both the PMB and Cairns races (DH and XC) .... a big big thanks to Redbull TV for broadcasting this

 

Looking forward to the remainder of the season

[Hairy]

really felt sorry for Needles getting a flat a he looked like he was cooking higher up on the track

[SwissVan]

Champery - 630m in 2km

 

 

This what that 630m / 2km looks like, its a serious challenge even to try walk up and spectate

 

Champrey DH 2010

 

 

 

 

[Stretch]

good watch

 

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/cairns-wc2-rumble-in-the-jungle-video-2014.html

Edited April 29, 2014 by Stretch

[Sidewinder.]

good watch

 

http://www.pinkbike....video-2014.html

 

Nice one Stretch! The comments say it all

[Headshot]

I think the weather both added to and stuffed with the race on Saturday. It reduced the speed and spectacle a bit, but added to the trickiness and made it more of a lottery than usual. Ratboy did well and good to see GA winning again.

 

Biggest disappointment was the excessive coverage of the pedal section and almost nothing on the high speed jump and whoop section. The after the fact edits have far better angles and show the speed and skill required.

 

That and GM's crumby race run plus DQ. Still not sure about that rule or how it was applied...

[Hairy]

Headshot....missed the dq part.

 

Commentators were saying in his run that the old rules stated you had to enter again where you left the route and the new rules stated that you may enter elsewhere as long as you did not gain an advantage.....He clearly gained nothing from my perspective.

 

The coverage was Ok, not great, but at least there was coverage.

 

Really looking forward to seeing the next race.

 

Like the fact that I can watch via the cell and the redbulltv app

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Headshot....missed the dq part.

 

Commentators were saying in his run that the old rules stated you had to enter again where you left the route and the new rules stated that you may enter elsewhere as long as you did not gain an advantage.....He clearly gained nothing from my perspective.

 

The coverage was Ok, not great, but at least there was coverage.

 

Really looking forward to seeing the next race.

 

Like the fact that I can watch via the cell and the redbulltv app

 

nah. According to Nigel, they had it the wrong way around. Old rules said you could enter elsewhere, new rules stipulate you must enter where you left. Was changed just before PMB

[nigelhicks]

 

Biggest disappointment was the excessive coverage of the pedal section and almost nothing on the high speed jump and whoop section. The after the fact edits have far better angles and show the speed and skill required.

 

That and GM's crumby race run plus DQ. Still not sure about that rule or how it was applied...

Headshot....missed the dq part.

 

Commentators were saying in his run that the old rules stated you had to enter again where you left the route and the new rules stated that you may enter elsewhere as long as you did not gain an advantage.....He clearly gained nothing from my perspective.

 

The coverage was Ok, not great, but at least there was coverage.

 

 

"Hi Our names are Headshot and Hairy! ... and we dont seem to read Nige's informative posts on UCI rule changes and Camera position issues!" .... :whistling: ... See page 7 for Greg DQ issue and Page 9 for Camera issues

Edited April 30, 2014 by nigelhicks