[Event] WP XCO Series Race #1

[bunchsucker]

Event Name: WP XCO Series Race #1
When: 13 February 2016
Where: Rhebokskloof, Western Cape
Category: MTB

First race of the series of 4 xco events hosted by the WP MTB commission. The official series for earning WP colours. See www.wpmtb.co.za for more or like our facebook page.

Go to Event Page

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Ok, I entered. In Veteran category (signs of ageing every time I hear that word). Who else entered?

 

Any tips, I have never done XCO before, done plenty of XCM events.

 

Just trying something different.

 

Any advice from the pros?

[openmind]

Ok, I entered. In Veteran category (signs of ageing every time I hear that word). Who else entered?

 

Any tips, I have never done XCO before, done plenty of XCM events.

 

Just trying something different.

 

Any advice from the pros?

 

If you race it (and you will need to if you don't want to get lapped) it will be one of the hardest things you have ever done. But also the most satisfying  

 

Go ride a lap beforehand - knowing the course helps a lot. 

 

Make sure you know what your competitors look like - you race with other categories and it can get confusing on the course to know if you should worry about that guy on your wheel or let him pass. 

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

I think it will be great if I can prevent getting lapped!

 

Going to do a recce ride the morning

 

Thanks

 

Ps. I see that each category has its own time slots or am I mistaken?

[openmind]

Ps. I see that each category has its own time slots or am I mistaken?

 

Not quite - Vets start with Sub Vets, Sub Juniors and Youth Men. (all start at 10am)

[GS Sport]

Ok, I entered. In Veteran category (signs of ageing every time I hear that word). Who else entered?

 

Any tips, I have never done XCO before, done plenty of XCM events.

 

Just trying something different.

 

Any advice from the pros?

I'm also in for my first one, and starting in Sub Vets so we will be in same bunch. Hopefully I can hang on for a lap or two lol and have some fun.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Not quite - Vets start with Sub Vets, Sub Juniors and Youth Men. (all start at 10am)

Ok, I see yes.

 

Great! I can see these juniors causing me to eat dust

[KarlvN]

maybe I should come spectate, as I sense some high drama unfolding...

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Kudos to Olympic Cycles for fixing my snapped chain. I think I was lapped by lap #3 (if not earlier), Definitely finished last. Geez this race just shows how unfit/weak I am and how silly I was to enter.

 

But fun I did have

 

Will I do it again?

 

Yes, but then I need to practice.

 

Nice vibe, expected more people though, but nice to see the youngsters blasting off the line and some of them have some serious skills

[dev null]

I was there for my son's race this morning.  It was hectic, and the course claimed a few victims. Some of the sub-vets came past with evidence of a tumble or two, and one unlucky rider had his whole tyre come of the rim.

 

Here is a snapshot of the Youth Men race starting.  My son is the one in the blue kit.

 

 

[Rapunzel]

Course was a challenging one for those new to the sport but it was great fun indeed. The first big rock garden (A line) was doable but the A-line in the blue gums claimed a few victims. Kudos to the organisers who put this together on a limited budget and thanks Rhebokskloof for the venue.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Question: I would like to know why are these events not more popular? Am I missing something?

 

Yes, I was out of my depth but I can see these events really enhancing skills and competitiveness. It caters for all age groups and it is an Olympic Sport. It does not take up the whole day. It is spectator friendly because of the laps so your family and folks can cheer you on every lap.

 

Or is it because we are just a XCM mad country?

 

All I can see is that as soon as my sons are big enough I will expose them to it and they can take it from there if they so wish.

[Nick]

This was a great event. While I had some serious fomo checking out the course on the morning, it was a spectators dream venue.

 

It was way more technical than I had expected. There were some concerned riders but most I spoke to seemed to get on with it bravely and have a good time.

 

Rhebokskloof was a perfect venue for spectators, from the feed zone the riders were visible for most of the course. They'd disappear for a minute or two and then you'd have to wait in anticipation to see in what order they'd reappeared. If MTB is going to grow into a mass appeal spectator sport, it's this format that is going to do it.

[Meezo]

Question: I would like to know why are these events not more popular? Am I missing something?

 

Yes, I was out of my depth but I can see these events really enhancing skills and competitiveness. It caters for all age groups and it is an Olympic Sport. It does not take up the whole day. It is spectator friendly because of the laps so your family and folks can cheer you on every lap.

 

Or is it because we are just a XCM mad country?

 

All I can see is that as soon as my sons are big enough I will expose them to it and they can take it from there if they so wish.

 

not saying most, by myself had/if i raced in my age cat they only went off 12:55, for me that's way to late... my meds have worn off by then!

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

 

 

Or is it because we are just a XCM mad country?

 

All I can see is that as soon as my sons are big enough I will expose them to it and they can take it from there if they so wish.

This. 

 

Emphasis on distance, not skill.

 

Having said that, I'm in the same boat as you. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

LOL. But seriously - it's the way of the future, for the very reasons you and Nick have highlighted. Nowhere near the amount of negotiation for venues (only one place / property / trail network to ask) and so much better for spectating. I reckon the young 'uns are going to transform us into an XCO state from its present XCM bias. They far prefer this challenging "fun" stuff. 

 

Build me a RAMP, Daaaaad!!!