DIPSLICK Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Tracks were great; marshalling went from excellent to none existent,; water tables were a mixed bag for the back markers, no coke and sometimes no water while very few had something to eat. Don't bother with the goody bag and please, please let us collect numbers at the start. Overall not good value for money if I compare it to Sabie, 3 towers and the like.nothing comes close to towers for value for money IMHO
Ozzie NL Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Must say I am surprised at the good comments - guess it must just be my mate & I who thought differently. So we did the 2 day race and being completely unprepared training wise (our first stage format) and being part of the back markers, below some thoughts:Water tables were useless, by the time we came around most of them had run out of everything and considering Sat was a real sufferfest, this did not go down to well with us and our fellow back markers.Water tables that had some items were seriously lacking some variety!Organisation could also have been much betterAfter advertising and raving about the overnight bikepark & Bike-wash we collected our bikes on Sunday to discover that they were not washed, not even half-washed - they were left the same way as we dropped them.Then trying to find the truck with tog bags as nobody seemed to know where this wasSat afternoon they tell us the shuttle leaves at 3:30, we go for a shower only to come out at 3:15 to discover the shuttle had left.Sunday race started bad with the collection of dirty bikesThen get to first water table on Sunday only to discover they already ran out of snacksAt the finish again no clear indication of where to collect tog bags or where showers are, seems everything is all over the place.This can be a great event in Jozi but for that I think they seriously need to jack up their Organisation - the money paid for this they can certainly still improve a helluva lot! Have to agree with most of the above. Was also my first stage race (did the 3 day event)and was expecting similar quality water tables to Magalies Monster but at most there was nothing other than water, some Biogen and the odd winegun (and I was not that far back) Also did not like the fact that they cancelled the shuttle service to get the car from the start venue to the finish for you and the last minute change in on site mechanics did not instil a lot of confidence On their website they state following: There are over 900 MTB events throughout the country and they range from the Absa Cape Epic to the Nedbank Sani2C to the Bredasdorp Primary School MTB Challenge. Given the amount of events that take place, our philosophy has been to create events that offer significantly more value and a more up-market experience. As a result, you will find we charge up to 100% more for some events than others do, but we offer 200% more value. Our adage is that we will rather have 100 riders paying R1000 than 1000 riders paying R100. So we tend to attract the more upmarket riders, and as a result, we attract the car park. At our events you will see more luxury vehicles than almost any other event the country But do not think they live up to that objective
Steven D Williams Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Did the 3 Day, thoroughly enjoyed it! Rode and finished middle of the pack mostly. Reading the comments above, I am not surprised the back markers didn't have much left at the water tables when they arrived as at every water table I was astounded at how greedy and wasteful some riders were... taking 2 banana's, 3 potatoes, filling 2 water bottles and a camelbak, using the water tables energy powder, as well as pouring water on their heads, legs and drive-trains... And although it wasn't always the same guy, there was at least one person doing this every time I stopped... I do think some riders out there have forgotten that you should bring along all you need for the race and that the water tables are there to replenish depleted reserves, they are not feeding stations. Some other races have confused the riding public by turning water tables into feeding stations. Personally, I read the brief of every race I do to check if the water tables are just that or more. And the organizers of this event clearly stated that as a rider you were required to bring all you needed. As for unwashed bikes, I took mine to the bike wash, had it washed and then dropped it off at the overnight bike park. And the tech staff at water point 2 day 1 were great!
kuzco Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Did the 3 Day, thoroughly enjoyed it! Rode and finished middle of the pack mostly. Reading the comments above, I am not surprised the back markers didn't have much left at the water tables when they arrived as at every water table I was astounded at how greedy and wasteful some riders were... taking 2 banana's, 3 potatoes, filling 2 water bottles and a camelbak, using the water tables energy powder, as well as pouring water on their heads, legs and drive-trains... And although it wasn't always the same guy, there was at least one person doing this every time I stopped... I do think some riders out there have forgotten that you should bring along all you need for the race and that the water tables are there to replenish depleted reserves, they are not feeding stations. Some other races have confused the riding public by turning water tables into feeding stations. Personally, I read the brief of every race I do to check if the water tables are just that or more. And the organizers of this event clearly stated that as a rider you were required to bring all you needed. As for unwashed bikes, I took mine to the bike wash, had it washed and then dropped it off at the overnight bike park. And the tech staff at water point 2 day 1 were great! the watering points were pathetic. water point 2 had started using bore hole water (had a lovely light brown colour), no food or energy drink after water point 1. Back markers still pay the same entry fee and organisers must ensure there is sufficient for every entrant. less talk , more action required. a waste of money.
rouxtjie Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Did the 3 Day, thoroughly enjoyed it! Rode and finished middle of the pack mostly. Reading the comments above, I am not surprised the back markers didn't have much left at the water tables when they arrived as at every water table I was astounded at how greedy and wasteful some riders were... taking 2 banana's, 3 potatoes, filling 2 water bottles and a camelbak, using the water tables energy powder, as well as pouring water on their heads, legs and drive-trains... And although it wasn't always the same guy, there was at least one person doing this every time I stopped... I do think some riders out there have forgotten that you should bring along all you need for the race and that the water tables are there to replenish depleted reserves, they are not feeding stations. Some other races have confused the riding public by turning water tables into feeding stations. Personally, I read the brief of every race I do to check if the water tables are just that or more. And the organizers of this event clearly stated that as a rider you were required to bring all you needed. As for unwashed bikes, I took mine to the bike wash, had it washed and then dropped it off at the overnight bike park. And the tech staff at water point 2 day 1 were great!At the price they charge, unfortunately its unacceptable. But I am sure they the races where they prioritize tables(food and drink on offer) will be sold out...where as this one might struggle to get the numbers next year. Charge a premium, deliver premium....simple
Steven D Williams Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 the watering points were pathetic. water point 2 had started using bore hole water (had a lovely light brown colour), no food or energy drink after water point 1. Back markers still pay the same entry fee and organisers must ensure there is sufficient for every entrant. less talk , more action required. a waste of money. My Point of view vs yours... Simple as that.
DIPSLICK Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 My Point of view vs yours... Simple as that.truequestion then,,,,when the back markers pay their entry must they just hope there is food when they eventually get there?? not an unreasonable request,, they paid for what then??? if not water,,maybe a jelly baby ohhhhhh the privelage of riding only,,,,NO the paid for a catered race,,,with marshals and BACK UP
Ozzie NL Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 My Point of view vs yours... Simple as that. Disagree on that comment. Leverage Corporation states they deliver 200% value for a 100% premium. As said previously, that premium was paid by all not just the top quartile riders. Therefore 75% of the riders subsidised the supplies for the top 25%. That does not sound right. Also want to be balanced the trails were fantastic and I enjoyed the riding. The peripherals is where they have some homework to do
rouxtjie Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 truequestion then,,,,when the back markers pay their entry must they just hope there is food when they eventually get there?? not an unreasonable request,, they paid for what then??? if not water,,maybe a jelly baby ohhhhhh the privelage of riding only,,,,NO the paid for a catered race,,,with marshals and BACK UPSo n bek kort jem...well said dips. The back marker's money isn't different from the front guns. Look at the races that got this waxed...j2c as an example, my experience is the same as the guy coming in first.
DIPSLICK Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 So n bek kort jem...well said dips. The back marker's money isn't different from the front guns. Look at the races that got this waxed...j2c as an example, my experience is the same as the guy coming in first. WE WERE *** SLEG ON JOBERG2C(so back markers) when we got there it was 5 star every table, even the tannies washing our sun glasses the water they were using you could drink out of the bucket,,,,and thats in a dorpie in the middle of some huge farm in the middle of no where,,,,either you can cater for the RACE/RIDE as a whole or you have failed,,,,,,,i dont mean mr difficult i just mean mr back marker wanting/needing food,juice, gummi bear
arendoog Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I did this race when it was the Route 62 , 3 years ago .Have been avoiding it ever since
Steven D Williams Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I agree with what DIPSLICK and OSSIE NL are saying, My experience was positive though. And all who paid should have got what they deserved. All I was saying is that some riders ripped it a bit at the water stations. The organizers clearly didn't get the catering at these points right, but if some riders refrained from grabbing all they could, the shortage for the back markers might not have been so severe.
rouxtjie Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 WE WERE *** SLEG ON JOBERG2C when we got there it was 5 star every table, even the tannies washing our sun glasses the water they were using you could drink out of the bucket,,,,and thats in a dorpie in the middle of some huge farm in the middle of no where,,,,either you can cater for the RACE/RIDE as a whole or you have failed,,,,,,,i dont mean mr difficult i just mean mr back marker wanting/needing food,juice, gummi bearremember those oomies braaing wors, hot crispy potatoes, doughnuts, bambi waterstop with the rump steak strips and cheese sauce dip...malva pudding at bambi as well...I am not even going to talk about the race villages(bacon and eggs...karan steaks...) I flippen gained 5kg at j2c....any event organizer must go ride it and see what a show they put up.
DIPSLICK Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 remember those oomies braaing wors, hot crispy potatoes, doughnuts, bambi waterstop with the rump steak strips and cheese sauce dip...malva pudding at bambi as well...I am not even going to talk about the race villages(bacon and eggs...karan steaks...) I flippen gained 5kg at j2c....any event organizer must go ride it and see what a show they put up. now that you say it like that,,,,,,,where is that joberg2c thread
Skubarra Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I agree with what DIPSLICK and OSSIE NL are saying, My experience was positive though. And all who paid should have got what they deserved. All I was saying is that some riders ripped it a bit at the water stations. The organizers clearly didn't get the catering at these points right, but if some riders refrained from grabbing all they could, the shortage for the back markers might not have been so severe.You will always get some riders that "overdo" it, something like that shouldn't be a surprise to organisers. You cannot rely on riders to ration themselves so that something is left for the backmarkers.
Milosh Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I did 2 day as My 1st stage race and 3rd race ever. Somewhat under prepared and had to HTFU. Only one water table had issues and I believe a water table is about water not a buffet.So running low at end is no biggy , ice more important than food ! Did not use bike wash or Transfer , but the pre race info did say stay with you bike for washing. Meals where good . I can see how transfer can be an issue and how logistics negate from a good ride but focus should be in course which was great !! Think bike where great and Marshalling was fine , signage was also no problem !
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