Is the route technical?...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Corrected.

 

LOL. Ja, you're right, but - and this is a big BUT - I've ridden some fairly technical jeep track ascents / descents!

[Eldron]

For me it's about fun versus "work".

 

I enjoy fast sweeping upndown smoothish single track where you move about on the bike and feel the thrill of speed - riding the stuff is fairly relaxed and I guess you would deem it "untechnical".

 

The technical stuff like PMB XC with gap jumps, log drop offs, rock gardens etc I feel are more "work" - probably because I only do them in provincial/national races (and only own a stiff hardtail).

 

Personally I think the rocky rough rugged stuff is great fun when you're on a duallie and not racing. I enjoy it more when you're hanging with friends watching each other do tech stuff.

 

In races it just adds pressure and stress to get through the obstacle as fast as possible without breaking yourself or your bike.

 

Perhaps the XCM stuff should be more flowing fun "non dangerous" technical and the XCO the droppy/rocky/gappy "dangerous" technical stuff...

[DIPSLICK]

my 2c i would never do the epic, HERE IS WHY

 

1st i couldnt itS too tough, AND IM NOT UP TO IT PHYSICALLY

2nd, if the pros must walk, then my thinking is i am going to obviously have to walk,,,,,now if i want to hike ill go to haarties and go on a HIKE

 

out of all my stage races i think mankele is a lekke balance not the most technical but enough for a smile and most riders can ride 90% OF WHATS ON OFFER, i do think mankele does attract more skilled riders in general than weekend races, so there are not too many people dismounting

 

i am by no stretch of the imagination a strong technical rider but i dont jump off for a bump, my thinking is it must just be possible to do with relative skill, and it musnt be a pavement, my best description i can come up with

[Brian Fantana]

Some riders like technical routes, others, often beginners and older cyclists, prefer milder stuff. I think it is a valid question to ask before participating. You should be happy that your event is getting interest and replying to possible entrants with as much info as possible.

A big problem with races and trails in general is the lack of a sensible trail rating system, at least the ones I've ridden. One person's blue is another's red or even black. Trail running has an excellent system which tells any entrant the exact nature of the trail. Skiing also has an old and well known system. Either could be easily adapted for mountain biking. Have a look at the: Wildrunner Trail Grading System.

 

There already is an internationally recognised trail grading system in place.

 

https://www.imba.com...ficulty-ratings.

 

Trail owners/managers must start to implement it and also become members of AMA-Rider, the SA affiliate of IMBA.

 

Personally, I believe it should be law for every trail to be affiliated with IMBA and to comply with IMBA regulations and trail gradings at all times.

Edited July 3, 2014 by Brian Fantana

[Capricorn]

There already is an internationally recognised trail grading system in place.

 

https://www.imba.com...ficulty-ratings.

 

Trail owners/managers must start to implement it and also become members of AMA-Rider, the SA affiliate of IMBA.

 

Personally, I believe it should be law for every trail to be affiliated with IMBA and to comply with IMBA regulations and trail gradings at all times.

 

This.

[ViperTrail]

Is a trail 'technical'? is such a broad term anyway as it depends entirely on the person's riding skills. Some people consider a trail with drop-offs technical. For others it could be steep descending single track.....or even just crossing a floating bridge - so in a nutshell, what I may consider technical, the rider next to me may not. So in my opinion people should familiarize themselves with the colour grading system which is indicative of distance and riding ability that is required - endurance required to complete the trail as well as riding ability and skill needed. I took a break from MTBiking for a few years, and it is nice to return to the sport to see all these bike parks with trails that have the 'chicken' runs giving riders the option to choose a route they are more comfortable doing based on their riding skills. I even saw it at Sabie Experience 2012 where the organizers included an easier detour at a steep drop-off thus not putting limited skilled riders under pressure.

[kosmonooit]

Its come up before, esp. on the VG routes, where novices have hurt themselves badly. I feel the there could be more grades than the IMBA ones. But then again this is Africa ....

Edited July 3, 2014 by kosmonooit

[Da Vinci]

Do you know what makes me decide to enter a race is the route description. The easiest one to draw a parallel too is the Sani2C description - it's a practical essay on each day broken into sections. In honesty the description made it out to be more technical than it actually was but that was good because then I was mentally prepared for the worst. But the way it was written I could ride the routing in my head. Also pictures help a lot - Naas you often advertise your events on here - put some pics up - scenic ones are great.

I agree with what has be said above re: races as you usually have bigger numbers and so more chance of congestion if its hairy technical. But technical is subjective - loose rocky climbs are my worst(cos I'm not strong enough to ride them properly... Yet ) but I don't mind tight switchbacks or drops off... Rode a route the other day that was described as technical but cos it was in great nick it was very rideable...

[Craig Stubbs]

Thanks goodness that Enduro is gaining momentum!

[Capricorn]

route descriptions are perfunctory and also highly subjective. Rave about the views? lolwut. is this a race or a guided tour?

anyway, the point is, that with the IMBA system, the technicality can be graded according to a standard that riders will understand to mean some level of known technicality. You'll very quickly come to understand your capability versus the grading system.

[pierre-]

.

Edited January 13, 2015 by pierre-

[Bizkit031]

That is what MTB is about dirt,mud,rocks,technical terrain is part and parcel of it all. Why did you buy the bike then if you don't want to get dirty. Amen for Enduro,now that is some wicked riding.

[Shangri la]

In races where there is very limited technical terrain one should call them Fun Rides. Races are no longer cheap and as such I feel there must be more technical to stretch your ability and also to spread the field out. I always feel there is value for money in an event when I get to the end and wonder how I got through XYZ section without coming off!!

Edited July 3, 2014 by Shangri la

[Bizkit031]

Every persons perception of technical is different,so even marked trails might say easy,moderate or difficult but some people might say that the easy for them was too technical. The nice thing in KZN is that we have a lot of technical to train on so that helps.

[Uni]

There already is an internationally recognised trail grading system in place.

 

I like the distinction between technical vs exertion - learnt the hard way in the beginning thinking oh cool 10km trail - must be easy .... my "me and my bike" walks were many.

I agree if everyone in the industry - whether for recreational trails or races were to use that system - you wouldn't need to field "stupid" questions - everyone can relate a blue rating for example with something they've ridden on that scale.

[Da Vinci]

route descriptions are perfunctory and also highly subjective. Rave about the views? lolwut. is this a race or a guided tour?

anyway, the point is, that with the IMBA system, the technicality can be graded according to a standard that riders will understand to mean some level of known technicality. You'll very quickly come to understand your capability versus the grading system.

It's only a race if you are in it to to win it...