New PPA Mtb event at Paul Cluver Estate in Grabouw

[JGR]

That attitude is what makes it so damn impossible to organise events without sleepless nights wondering about your entry numbers. Too few and you end up paying for people to race, too many and you can't cope with the late surge in numbers.

 

It's a very typical slaapstad rock up at last minute attitude, if you can't commit early on then tough tekkies. I for one am happy to see organisers not bow to pressure here. Would be so easy to just extend entry numbers, but they want to preserve the experience for those who took the plunge head on and supported them from the get go.

 

viva.

Its a tricky one as I have had to bail out of 2 races already this year after paying the entry due to the weather (I have gears ....) so can understand that but if you take the chance don't complain if you don't get an entry. I was to late and accepted it - I was just annoyed as I sourced an entry but was told no but then others were told yes. That was my grip and I agree if its 800 entries its 800 entries and the organizers should rather make it a great race than oversubscribe ... we have die berger for that. Have fun out there - going to be a cracker!

[kandui]

The information, re substitutions, the guy offering the entry to JGR got from the PPA office was incorrect and regrettable. Communication between the management and the office staff at the switchboard went awry in this case. The message from the manager and event organiser from the outset was , "no Substitutions allowed". I'm sorry about the misleading information.

 

For the record, as far as I have been informed, there were no substitutions for anyone. If that makes you feel any better.

Some of the Table Mountain Bikers members have entries that will go unused as well. Even I can't get a substitution organised, but I also feel that in fairness I shouldn't.

Let's see how the event turns out.

Enjoy the ride.

[Goosebay]

The weather is going to be good this weekend

 

If you did not get into the ppa race at paul cluver - there are two real mtb rides happening this weekend, both awesome locations

 

The Gansbaai ride is back through awesome fynbos and mountains, with very nice single track. The same can be said for the Bo Piketberg race. Both about two hours from Cape Town (Gansbaai probably a little further.

 

The Gansbaai ride is a weekend affair, with three routes for the bikers on Saturday, and three trail runs on the Sunday, a climbing wall and loads of other good stuff. Good community stuff. The single track at Bo Piketberg is also getting better and better, so loads of good choices, hard rides, but awesome scenery you won't often get access to

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/123958-event-2014-funky-fynbos-festival-mtb-and-trail-run-gansbaai/

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/135771-event-piket-bo-berg-cycle-challenge-2014/

[Johny Bravo]

The weather is going to be good this weekend

 

If you did not get into the ppa race at paul cluver - there are two real mtb rides happening this weekend, both awesome locations

 

The Gansbaai ride is back through awesome fynbos and mountains, with very nice single track. The same can be said for the Bo Piketberg race. Both about two hours from Cape Town (Gansbaai probably a little further.

 

The Gansbaai ride is a weekend affair, with three routes for the bikers on Saturday, and three trail runs on the Sunday, a climbing wall and loads of other good stuff. Good community stuff. The single track at Bo Piketberg is also getting better and better, so loads of good choices, hard rides, but awesome scenery you won't often get access to

 

http://www.thehubsa....l-run-gansbaai/

 

http://www.thehubsa....challenge-2014/

good advice dude. Both stunning races. but not as good as this one.

[Johny Bravo]

Let me be the first one to rub it in, you guys missed out badly. This is, and believe me, the best one day race I have ever done. The route was simply amazing, mindblowing at times, all those bridges and all that singletrack. Wow, I havent had so much fun in a long time. To the organisers, I have NOTHING, to complain about. There was ample parking, route marking were big yellow sings, very clearly marked, they did not run out of medals or coke, btw, you get ask for Coke light, first time I have ever seen that at a race. Waterpoints were stocked with everything you could want. Plenty of seating afterwards for tired bodies, and a real nice atmosphere after the race. From my side 10 out of 10 to you guys, this is the new benchmark, and other races could learn a lot from you guys. Thank you.

[JasonS]

Let me be the first one to rub it in, you guys missed out badly. This is, and believe me, the best one day race I have ever done. The route was simply amazing, mindblowing at times, all those bridges and all that singletrack. Wow, I havent had so much fun in a long time. To the organisers, I have NOTHING, to complain about. There was ample parking, route marking were big yellow sings, very clearly marked, they did not run out of medals or coke, btw, you get ask for Coke light, first time I have ever seen that at a race. Waterpoints were stocked with everything you could want. Plenty of seating afterwards for tired bodies, and a real nice atmosphere after the race. From my side 10 out of 10 to you guys, this is the new benchmark, and other races could learn a lot from you guys. Thank you.

I have to agree with you JB, that was pretty special. It was allll good!

[kandui]

Anybody take a closer look at the medal?

[JasonS]

Anybody take a closer look at the medal?

My 4 year old reckons it's a monster....

[kandui]

My 4 year old reckons it's a monster....

Your 4 year old got it spot on!Wanted something different for a change

[JasonS]

Your 4 year old got it spot on!Wanted something different for a change

LOL. Awesome, she's beaming!

[Desi]

I picked up a front light that bounced off a guy's bike (sorry, couldn't catch you). Pm me if it's yours and you want it back.

Really nice route... hope to do this race again.

[Cacey]

What an awesome event, big up to the organizers!

[averagejoe]

It was a fantastic race, well done to all involved! I haven't done a MTB race in a while where the route was so well marked! The single track at Paul Cluver is top drawer and definitely worth the trip out there.

[Juanhein20]

This was an fantastic event, great vibe. The single track went on for ever. This is a route i will do soon again, i won't be able to wait until next year!.

Well done to the PPA team.

[Donovan Le Cok]

Incredible event with great single track. Definitely on the calendar to do again next year.

 

Was riding in a lonely 4th position and took a wrong turn. Lost 8 places in the process so finished 12th in 1 hour 53 minutes.

 

Would be great if the 42km could be made a bit longer. I know it is difficult to do in one estate but maybe we could go over to Oak Valley and ride some single track there and then come back over to Paul Cluver to finish?

[kandui]

From the feedback received at the event , by email and seen on this thread, the Elgin Mtb was a success. There were some minor hiccups behind the scenes, but nothing that impacted on the race. I am aware of a route marker or two having been turned around and/or removed. The route marking team had been out more than once to check all the arrows and were satisfied before the start that everything was in place.

Having driven the route on a quad bike and looking at the markers from a rider perspective, I can't fault the signage. It was all there and clear to see from a distance.

We will sit down and have a debrief in the next week or two to look at all the input received, positive and negative.

I will check this thread from time to time, but I would prefer it if you could email me with your comments at ride@tablemountainbikers.co.za

Extending the route into Oak Valley is the obvious choice, but I prefer to think a little more laterally. There is a big mountain that dominates the valley. Why not go up the Groenlandberg? It was on the cards for this race, but track conditions were not suited to get medical vehicles on to the route.

Hence the medal in the shape of a monster: The Green Monster. It's going to bite you! Next time.