ASG Ridiculous Price Increase, ASG Bestmed Paarl MTB Classic

[Cois]

How about this.  I don't want a goody bag...

I don't want a load of sweet stuff.  I give that to the kids next to the road anyway.  Only thing that I got in the past that I use, is a buff from a Nissan race.  At least I will use it later on if I can find it again.

I don't wear t-****s.  I am fat and t-shirts does not work with me.

On one running race I entered I go soap.  Hmmm, I know I smell after a run, but I have soap at home.

Energy drinks???  No thanks.  Water will do.  And forget the water point on the route.  I have enough water on my bike.

 

So they can keep their goody bags for all I care. 

 

And just to clarify.  I am not aiming this on ASG, but all other places as well.  I have a collection of water bottles...  I sure as heck don't need another one and 40% at least ends up on the route in anycase

[Frosty]

 

 

I'm a newbie to cycling...

 

I also dont get how it makes sense for organisers to charge so much AND have sponsorships at every event!

 

...The amashova had 1 hollard water bottle and a free parking voucher for suncoast

Without sponsorships, race entry fees would be higher. Just because there are sponsorships doesn’t mean all the costs are covered.

 

Take a guess how much it costs to run an A-grade race (A-grade has a minimum prize money above R50K and nothing to do with the size or type of event). I'll give you a clue... it has 00,000.00 trailing a number greater the number of zeros you see in this sentence.

 

Oh, and not all race organisers are in it for the money. Some do it for the love of the sport and raise funds for specific charities, so essentially you're contributing to a charity and getting to cycle in an organised event...

 

Perspective - depends on which way you look at it.

 

My 2c, and not criticising your opinion.

[Hairy]

 

Without sponsorships, race entry fees would be higher. Just because there are sponsorships doesn’t mean all the costs are covered.

 

Take a guess how much it costs to run an A-grade race (A-grade has a minimum prize money above R50K and nothing to do with the size or type of event). I'll give you a clue... it has 00,000.00 trailing a number greater the number of zeros you see in this sentence.

 

Oh, and not all race organisers are in it for the money. Some do it for the love of the sport and raise funds for specific charities, so essentially you're contributing to a charity and getting to cycle in an organised event...

 

Perspective - depends on which way you look at it.

 

My 2c, and not criticising your opinion.

well that is just it.

Me as a recreational cyclist dies not give a rat's ass about a 50k cash purse, tv coverage of the event, fancy useless goodie bags.

 

Give me a well organised and planed event with no frills to cover up poor planning and at a fair price.

 

If is a timed fun ride after all?

 

The increase in price as mentioned in this thread is drastic and it did seem to cover the R220 odd branded t shirts from the organisers of the event.

[PhilipV]

The capitalism is strong in them. I really hope they crash and burn and don't get enough entries to break even. But there will probably be enough sheeple that thinks it is good because it is supported by corporates.

[Tankman]

 

 

One thing I have noticed is that often you will see a lot of bitching & moaning on thehub about pricing of races, but that is not reflected in the number of people that actually pitch up for the event (including some of the ones who complains the hardest). So with 700 people pitching for a first time event with good feedback I'm not betting against them pulling this off with the high entry fee... (don't think they will make 1700 entrants though)

Out of the 402 people on the hub;

325 are from Gauteng

75 from Slaapstad

1 from Vrystaat

and 1 from Planet Zurg

 

The other 34 548 that compete in the yearly August .... dont give a sheeskebab!

[Sidmouth]

One thing I have noticed is that often you will see a lot of bitching & moaning on thehub about pricing of races, but that is not reflected in the number of people that actually pitch up for the event (including some of the ones who complains the hardest). So with 700 people pitching for a first time event with good feedback I'm not betting against them pulling this off with the high entry fee... (don't think they will make 1700 entrants though)

 

Skubarra

I think your point is what it is all about.

We must vote with our feet and wallets, if ASG gets a good turnout in 2015 , it is a green light to all the corporates that they can increase entry fees by 100% year on year.

Getting profit driven companies involved will make events expensive as ASG has very clearly demonstrated, There are some great PPA events out there for R180, the Tru Cape Hex River and the Elgin races are  on par with Paarl

The Bike Plus Constantia Valley Series at R150.00, another example of a great event, STBB Cancer ride and the Darling brew race, all good examples of well-organized races at fair pricing,

I, like so many will be following this particular event, the outcome will be interesting, 

[NicoBoshoff]

The capitalism is strong in them. I really hope they crash and burn and don't get enough entries to break even. But there will probably be enough sheeple that thinks it is good because it is supported by corporates.

Lolwut???

[kandui]

Come and ride the Elgin race in 2015. Promise you that the second edition of the event won't cost the earth and you'll get another route I want to add.

No t-shirts, promise.

I don't know your clothing taste, so why would I try to dress you!?

I'll try and get the PPA office to offer the choice of either a medal or the ZAR amount donated to a cycling cause or charity.

[Hairy]

So Nico, have ASG made good to the DH trails they vandalised yet?

[Hairy]

Yo Nico ... are the trails running again

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/145201-asg-and-trail-land-usage/page-5

[Guest Omega Man]

So Nico, have ASG made good to the DH trails they vandalised yet?

No. Nico however has hired a guy using his own money to open and cut back trail on the lower part of the trails.

[Hairy]

No. Nico however has hired a guy using his own money to open and cut back trail on the lower part of the trails.

So then asg's reply was just hot air?

 

Maybe they want the early entries in to pay for the remedial work to the trail

 

Good on you Nico for making good to the trail out of your own pocket!!!!!!

[GLuvsMtb]

My grandpa always said that if something does not sell... you put the price up and try again. I never really understood what he meant until I entered the dark underworld of Corporate marketing strategy. 

 

Lets see how this play out with a number of races / rides available every weekend. 

 

Now if they limited the entries to say 500 there would have been sense and logic in the price increase, you would reduce the environmental impact and you would give riders a far better experience with less congestion on the trails. 

[Hairy]

My grandpa always said that if something does not sell... you put the price up and try again. I never really understood what he meant until I entered the dark underworld of Corporate marketing strategy. 

 

Lets see how this play out with a number of races / rides available every weekend. 

 

Now if they limited the entries to say 500 there would have been sense and logic in the price increase, you would reduce the environmental impact and you would give riders a far better experience with less congestion on the trails. 

I like what you are saying, but then that dark corporate underworld would also dictate that you are cutting your profits for the benefit of putting up a good event for the rider ......... I think you can see what I am saying ...  

[Karooryder]

One way of getting rid of stock that is not moving.... 

 

Haha yep - next thing they will charge R1500 for the race and throw in a "free" pair of those Rudy "sunnies" they've been trying to flip for years...

[Cassie]

Ultra lightweight racing bottle...wtf??

Probably have to fill with lightweight water too...?