If money is not issue why would you not do a MTB race

[awesme]

Ben, you're part of the FAST bunch, in front there is few bottle necks, in the back where allot more people (aka me would fit in) bottle necks is a major issue.

 

ditto on the route marking, I don't want to have to wonder this way or that.

 

also safety... non negotiable.

 

G

 

Bottlenecks are minor irritations to me but good clear route marking is not negotiable!

[blondeonabike]

Because my bike is too expensive to get dirty or risk chipping the paint.

???

Thats why I will NEVER buy a white mountain bike with a white saddle! It looks good but is not practical. I have a black 2nd hand metal frame bike. If I fall the only crying I'll do is for myself! The bike is always fine!

I use my bike to get to places and see things many people cant even with a 4x4, (or its too far to hike) Often the reward means dealing with the mud, rocks and bush to get there but that is all the fun!!

Edited May 5, 2014 by blondeonabike

[blondeonabike]

.

Edited May 5, 2014 by blondeonabike

[Cellar]

???

Thats why I will NEVER buy a white mountain bike with a white saddle! It looks good but is not practical.

 

But when you buy your new road bike, make it an all white affair, ok?

[blondeonabike]

But when you buy your new road bike, make it an all white affair, ok?

THAT is a different story......Im already eyeing one out in the classifieds.....Lots of shmoozing to do to convince hubby!

[RichieT]

Miles on end of district road is NOT a mountain bike race. That is a dirt roadie race.

 

A mountain bike race is a race such as Magalies Monster, or the Nissan Van Gaalens for example and a few others.

 

district road is not considered a MTB race, if there's more than 30% district road, I will not enter that and waste my time or money.

 

Like the Cradle Mountain Challenge........ (which also had serious bottlenecks)...

[Iwan Kemp]

Hi guys, I see so many people moaning about MTB routes. What will make you not do a MTB race. What makes a challenge not a challenge anymore.

To many hills, sand, thorns ..........

 

Non of the above. Usually they are quite boring and, like others have mentioned, bottlenecks. Apart from the takkie brigade quite a few races have distances that share routes. This cause a lot of drama and frustration for those in front and those at the back..

 

I mtb cause it's a heck of a lot of fun. Even battling up hills and the odd fall or three is fun. I love it. Doing a boring race with the bunch "battling" for position 398 being all serious about it does not equate to what I call fun.

 

Must be why I love Enduro's. Challenging as heck, still a "race", but I get to hang with mates, share a joke or two and then still bomb it down a mountain. Perfection.

 

On top of that I agree 100% with Hairy.

[Iwan Kemp]

Because my bike is too expensive to get dirty or risk chipping the paint.

 

[Cellar]

 

I use my bike to get to places and see things many people cant even with a 4x4, (or its too far to hike) Often the reward means dealing with the mud, rocks and bush to get there but that is all the fun!!

 

Oh, and BTW, that's why I hike...

[DIPSLICK]

Miles on end of district road is NOT a mountain bike race. That is a dirt roadie race.

 

A mountain bike race is a race such as Magalies Monster, or the Nissan Van Gaalens for example and a few others.

 

district road is not considered a MTB race, if there's more than 30% district road, I will not enter that and waste my time or money.

 

so i guess that answers a loooong overdue question,,,,,,clearly we need to look for another member of our trans baviaans team

[GLuvsMtb]

Non of the above. Usually they are quite boring and, like others have mentioned, bottlenecks. Apart from the takkie brigade quite a few races have distances that share routes. This cause a lot of drama and frustration for those in front and those at the back..

 

I mtb cause it's a heck of a lot of fun. Even battling up hills and the odd fall or three is fun. I love it. Doing a boring race with the bunch "battling" for position 398 being all serious about it does not equate to what I call fun.

 

Must be why I love Enduro's. Challenging as heck, still a "race", but I get to hang with mates, share a joke or two and then still bomb it down a mountain. Perfection.

 

On top of that I agree 100% with Hairy.

now we get to the reasons why some like to actually do races:

1. Riding in areas that are usually off limits.

2. Meeting like minded people (sure we all have friends that mtb, but this is a great platform to expand your horizons a bit)

3. A tough event that is coming up assists with the motivation to get or remain fit. I usually ride much more over November and December if I enter for Attakwas than I would if I have not entered.

4. Team events adds another dynamic to a relationship / friendship that some enjoy. Note: You do not have to enter team events to simulate this. A long tough race as individuals that ride together is just as rewarding

5. Some love to measure themselves against others / previous years efforts. Sure you can hook up to Strava and monitor the progress, but a real result in a real race is worth it (sometimes).

 

We all weigh these (and other) positives against the negatives mentioned here and make a decision on whether or not we participate.

 

I like the whole Enduro vibe adding a competitive edge to what we used to call trail riding a few years ago where you cruise up to the top to a nice bit of single track with mates and have a pecking order from fastest to slowest going down the trails. It is quite rewarding when you say go from last to second last in the group and over time work your way up the pecking order.

[DIPSLICK]

now we get to the reasons why some like to actually do races:

1. Riding in areas that are usually off limits.

2. Meeting like minded people (sure we all have friends that mtb, but this is a great platform to expand your horizons a bit)

3. A tough event that is coming up assists with the motivation to get or remain fit. I usually ride much more over November and December if I enter for Attakwas than I would if I have not entered.

4. Team events adds another dynamic to a relationship / friendship that some enjoy. Note: You do not have to enter team events to simulate this. A long tough race as individuals that ride together is just as rewarding

5. Some love to measure themselves against others / previous years efforts. Sure you can hook up to Strava and monitor the progress, but a real result in a real race is worth it (sometimes).

 

We all weigh these (and other) positives against the negatives mentioned here and make a decision on whether or not we participate.

 

I like the whole Enduro vibe adding a competitive edge to what we used to call trail riding a few years ago where you cruise up to the top to a nice bit of single track with mates and have a pecking order from fastest to slowest going down the trails. It is quite rewarding when you say go from last to second last in the group and over time work your way up the pecking order.

 

and almost(SA) certain you wont get jacked

you will recieve help from fellow riders( 9 out of 10 times)if not a sweeper vehicle will eventually find you

you will have medical assistance available

WATER AND FOOD IF YOU RUN OUT(on most well organized races)

ALL IMPORTANT BRAGGING RIGHTS I CAME 3214 IN THE ARGUS you only came in 3220th

Edited May 5, 2014 by DIPSLICK

[Kranky]

Because South Africa is XCM befok and that is largely boring for me. I much prefer deciding on and finding my own routes, riding up tricky single track and learning to ride/ get faster/ do bigger jumps on down trails, with a few friends. Ever tried turning around to redo a fun section at a race?

 

I like the whole Enduro vibe adding a competitive edge to what we used to call trail riding a few years ago where you cruise up to the top to a nice bit of single track with mates and have a pecking order from fastest to slowest going down the trails. It is quite rewarding when you say go from last to second last in the group and over time work your way up the pecking order.

 

This is exactly my idea of a good time on the mountain. But I still call it trail riding, maybe I need to ditch the hardtail and ride with a cooler crowd of enduro kids

Edited May 5, 2014 by Nick.

[Mojoman]

Just too many people but thankfully I live in an area that has a lot of riding to offer without the masses!

 

If I lived in town and my riding was limited I might have a different view.

[Eugee]

As soon as I am confident enought with my skill I will do races. Think it must be loads of fun. For now keeping me away is also that I don't want to be that slow rider holding you up on the single track.

 

No man. Do a race. Most of the time they are a lot of fun. My fiance did het first race with me about 3 weeks ago. It was only her 3rd time on her bike so she had no skills. In thye starting shute stand about 20m back from the rest of the oaks and then start slow for the first km or so. By then people start stringing out and you will naturally pass a couple of people but they will not pass you again and you will not keep them back. Then learn as you go along. I find that you never push yourself hard enough in training with friends. skills and distance.

[Rata Del Spruit]

The takkie brigade always push to the front and are pushing the bike by the 2nd corner. Race organisers need to look at this issue.

 

This is a weird human psychology, I see it all the time in running. I read a friend's status on Facebook where he said he was entering a 10km race and wanted to break 1 hour. Another friend of his told him to get to the race early so he could start at the front. No, dude, if you can only run 10km in an hour then you're a slow moving obstacle for most of the pack. Same at Parkrun, old lady walkers that push to the front and have to be overtaken by everybody in the first 50 metres.

 

 

Do you think people would subscribe to an honesty system for the unseeded riders? In other words, have a marked grid near the start gate categorised by the time a rider would expect to complete the race?