WTF - Northern Farm MTB Race - 2nd of August

[Mojoman]

Try all the different races and decide which ones you will do again next year. For me its just the Monster. I cant afford all the high fees to partake in different races all though the year AND still keep my bikes well serviced and running well. I would rather spend the entry fee on my bike and kit these days as I get better return on my money that way. But remember there are costs involved in organising events and having the right support on hand.

[rouxtjie]

Try all the different races and decide which ones you will do again next year. For me its just the Monster. I cant afford all the high fees to partake in different races all though the year AND still keep my bikes well serviced and running well. I would rather spend the entry fee on my bike and kit these days as I get better return on my money that way. But remember there are costs involved in organising events and having the right support on hand.

100%

[Scuba Steve]

hehehhehhe....hit a nerve I see. But yes, wrt to them ugly monopoly corporates that have us by the short and curly's. Deactivate your DSTV, cut your landline / ADSL and convert your home to solar polar....That will show them hey...I mean what is lekkerder than sitting at home without internet, watching SABC 1..2..3 and luke warm showers. But jokes aside.

 

You chose to participate meneer, no point in trying argue that it wasnt worth it after the fact. The best for you to do is not to participate again, I mean you paid your schoolfees now. Like a lot of hubbers say, try and steer clear of the "one day classics" at known venues. See I think you started this thread to vent your buyers remorse, and bumped it hoping to get people to rant with you...but alas value is relative.

 

Me personally, I am not prepared to pay 5 times the amount to ride at a venue / trails that I can normally ride for a fraction, that is why there are only a handfull of races that gets my attention. But to each their own.

 

No problem, I got an answer from Sarni stating it is for charity which I'm very happy with - Getting 500 guys to pay R230 IMO is not better than getting 1000 guys to pay R115 and provide more exposure. Both will assist in developing the sport thus win win. My dstv is deactivated The bump was purely for the race organizers to come back to me. Note - I email them directly as well with no success. Apologies if it is frowned upon on this forum. I'm not trying to establish a cult following.

[Scuba Steve]

Try all the different races and decide which ones you will do again next year. For me its just the Monster. I cant afford all the high fees to partake in different races all though the year AND still keep my bikes well serviced and running well. I would rather spend the entry fee on my bike and kit these days as I get better return on my money that way. But remember there are costs involved in organising events and having the right support on hand.

 

Yes!!! Monster is an excellent race, great goodie bag with sponsor well involved. Only thing unhappy on that day were my legs.

[rouxtjie]

No problem, I got an answer from Sarni stating it is for charity which I'm very happy with - Getting 500 guys to pay R230 IMO is not better than getting 1000 guys to pay R115 and provide more exposure. Both will assist in developing the sport thus win win. My dstv is deactivated The bump was purely for the race organizers to come back to me. Note - I email them directly as well with no success. Apologies if it is frowned upon on this forum. I'm not trying to establish a cult following.

Apology accepted Scuba...

[Jace]

That's why stopped cycling because this sport has become crazy expensive! Why must a bicycle cost 40 50 thousand rand?? Thats madness!

 

I hear you i really do....BUT... You drive a car...and just like cars Mercs can cost you 4 arms and 12 legs BUT...you can still have plenty of fun in grannys honda on an empty plot.. My bike cost me 4K and i have more fun on it than a local who shelled out 35k for his bike..its relative..dont hate the spot because things are expensive..just use what you have and have fun!

[eelvio]

 

You chose to participate meneer, no point in trying argue that it wasnt worth it after the fact. The best for you to do is not to participate again.

 

 

So how would someone new to the racing be educated, if he didn't say something afterwards? Especially if they are new to the racing scene?

[rouxtjie]

So how would someone new to the racing be educated, if he didn't say something afterwards? Especially if they are new to the racing scene?

By participating

 

Value is relative to each person. I might think Sani is an overhyped, overpriced, crap race...someone else might have had the time of their lives and would pay double

 

We are both right and wrong....see what I did there.

[Grey Hubs]

By participating

 

Value is relative to each person. I might think Sani is an overhyped, overpriced, crap race...someone else might have had the time of their lives and would pay double

 

We are both right and wrong....see what I did there.

For the uniformed like me who has staggered through only a few races, it would be nice to know if my time and money will be well spent on a few select races. Perhaps some type of a "star" rating on the races would help us understand and choose...or join the race and then start a blog...

[rouxtjie]

For the uniformed like me who has staggered through only a few races, it would be nice to know if my time and money will be well spent on a few select races. Perhaps some type of a "star" rating on the races would help us understand and choose...or join the race and then start a blog...

mmmm, like I said, its all relative...some people will rave, some will rant for the exact same race. Rather go do it yourself and find out...You might miss some really nice rides because someones opinion of it was that it sucks. How would one allocate the stars as an example...if the OP was to allocate these it seems medals are a priority, but for me it would not even feature. Goody bag is another one that was important to him...to me, I care rocks about a free gel and 1974's huisgenoot.

 

Its like beers....you will soon find your favourites

[Beast Tech]

For the uniformed like me who has staggered through only a few races, it would be nice to know if my time and money will be well spent on a few select races. Perhaps some type of a "star" rating on the races would help us understand and choose...or join the race and then start a blog...

 

Instead of having a post like this one, maybe before a race you should ask the masses (Thehub) about a specific race before entering? Then you will get all replies from all kinds of riders... It will give you a feel for the race and what kind of riders enjoyed it.

 

But the best is try it yourself and learn from it (Yes they are not cheap lessons to learn sometimes)

[Escapee..]

Somebody call the WWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAMBULANCE

[eelvio]

By participating

 

Value is relative to each person. I might think Sani is an overhyped, overpriced, crap race...someone else might have had the time of their lives and would pay double

 

We are both right and wrong....see what I did there.

 

Agreed but for someone getting into racing their money would be well spent with more of an all round package, so its also in the information provided. In this case the OP was there and thought, oh well it's a race it should be pretty good but IHO it was not good at all.

 

On the other hand I spent extra to do The Argus and support a charity, worth it at the time because I knew where my money was going.

[jcza]

Race to avoid - 94.7 MTB race (thank me later). Race to do for noobs - Babbas. Both in Gauteng. Dunno about Slaapstad.

[ChUkKy]

Monster and the Van Gaalens race are the 2 I really like, the rest are mainly dirt road races

 

Although VG this year was bloody stupid at around 55km having to hike a bike up that freshly cut rocky climb. Totally pointless but every other kilometer before and after those few were great.

[jcza]

Don't write off Babbas, some great new single track. I think Monster has more district road than Babbas these days. Great for us noobs with no skilzzz.