[Event] WP XCO Series Race #1

[raptor-22]

Xco used to be very popular but then people moaned about getting bored racing in circles. So some bright spark decided to make and out and back race of similar distance to cure the boredom. Marathon was born. These early marathon events were 50km long and considered extreme.

 

Xco courses were also often not very technical but let's face it, 90% of rider a today still can't ride a drop off so 15ueaes ago a drop off was enough for people to stay at home.

 

I'd like to see a resurgence in xco. It's a great format that involves everyone from rider to family to mechanic. Gives shops a great opportunity for exposure and therefore can sustain sponsorships. Smaller venues needed are an advantage but organizers need to consider Sunday to be the day of choice.

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

 

 

Build me a RAMP, Daaaaad!!!

and the very next day I took them to go play at the bike park. I'd prefer to watch them do XCO and will probably be tired running to various spectator points to cheer them (and everyone else) on.

 

At the end of the day, the responsibility will rest with us to bring our kids/families along and spread the word

[milky4130]

For the simple reason that you don't enter this race as a "fun ride" it's balls to the wall, bleeding through your eye balls, puking in your mouth & swallowing it again repeatedly for 5-7 laps, category dependent. This is not everyone's type of fun. If the above is not happening to you are gong too slow, everyone from nippers to the elites will give you the same explanation. If you are winning your Catergory but not experiencing any of the above show me the way to your dealer.

 

If you do decide to enter it as a fun ride you'll probably go slow enough to be lapped twice & then not be allowed to finish your required laps cause the next Catergory must start so they'll pull you from the course.

[raptor-22]

Thanks to the stupid cost of marathons in ready for some xco again

[Kylie]

This was a fantastic event. First XCO and I am hooked. I found the course technically challenging- which made it very rewarding to ride.

 

Huge thank you to the organisers! 

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

For the simple reason that you don't enter this race as a "fun ride" it's balls to the wall, bleeding through your eye balls, puking in your mouth & swallowing it again repeatedly for 5-7 laps, category dependent. This is not everyone's type of fun. If the above is not happening to you are gong too slow, everyone from nippers to the elites will give you the same explanation. If you are winning your Catergory but not experiencing any of the above show me the way to your dealer.

 

If you do decide to enter it as a fun ride you'll probably go slow enough to be lapped twice & then not be allowed to finish your required laps cause the next Catergory must start so they'll pull you from the course.

Ha Ha, you described me perfectly. I just had one goal and that was not to be in anyone's way and mission accomplished. But now I know what kind of training I need to put in, nowhere to hide. Will be back

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Ha Ha, you described me perfectly. I just had one goal and that was not to be in anyone's way and mission accomplished. But now I know what kind of training I need to put in, nowhere to hide. Will be back

What I think would be best is a mix of the stuff at Coetzenburg, Hoogekraal and Jonkers. 

 

Coetzenburg cos it's all in one spot, and some of the climbs are super punchy. Jonkers for the bigger technicality and then Hoogies for the ability to loop it all together in multiple laps with a nicely varied bunch of trail. 

[dev null]

Can't wait for more photos to be posted.

 

Overheard at the tech area:

 

Wife/GF: "Honey, don't you want to go for another lap?"

Tired and dirty rider: "No, I am done"

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Can't wait for more photos to be posted.

 

Overheard at the tech area:

 

Wife/GF: "Honey, don't you want to go for another lap?"

Tired and dirty rider: "No, I am done"

Ha Ha, The next group started and I was still finishing the course, but got my 5 laps done

[Morne Veer]

The future of South African mountainbiking - these youngsters not giving each other one inch out there, but having the utmost respect for each other, and building great friendships !

 

These 4 little guys (sprogs) broke away from the gun, and battled it out all the way - amazing to see these little fellas go ! 

 

Need more youngsters taking part - as well as supporters.

[Brakkies Sport Fotos]

you can also check 600+ race pics on  facebook: Brakkies Sport Fotos

 

Have to mention, I took pictures of about 10 falls, I think I saw about 20 falls just at the "big rock garden", no one broke a bone, everyone just got back on the bike and disappear in the dust :-) ,

 

but XCO at Rheebokskloof is a spectators dream.

 

Maybe the WP MTB Comm can arrange a "The Champion of Champions" race later this year and get all the big names in mtb'ing down @ Rheebokskloof, then that place will be packed

 

Charge a  R20 entry fee, and put that up as prize money.

[dev null]

My son followed a Paul Roos rider on a practice lap the morning of the race.  The PR guy took the A-line in the Blue Gums section, pulled way too much front brake and went over.  He broke his wrist and that was his day done.

 

My son said that A-line was almost impossible to do.  You had to have serious skills to do it. Another PR rider got a piece of stick into the side of his chest or abdomen.  The ambulance had a busy morning.

[Morne Veer]

you can also check 600+ race pics on  facebook: Brakkies Sport Fotos

 

Have to mention, I took pictures of about 10 falls, I think I saw about 20 falls just at the "big rock garden", no one broke a bone, everyone just got back on the bike and disappear in the dust :-) ,

 

but XCO at Rheebokskloof is a spectators dream.

 

Maybe the WP MTB Comm can arrange a "The Champion of Champions" race later this year and get all the big names in mtb'ing down @ Rheebokskloof, then that place will be packed

 

Charge a  R20 entry fee, and put that up as prize money.

 

Ek neem aan hierdie is die meneer van "Brakkies Sport Fotos" ? - GROOT dankie vir die fotos wat jy die dag geneem het. Ek het onlangs vir iemand genoem, julle (fotograwe) verskaf vir ons sulke mooi fotos, maar dit is nie net fotos nie......dit is "images captured and frozen in time" wat ons soos ons ouer word op kan terugkyk, en saam oor trots voel, lag en mediteer. Groot dankie aan jou vir jou tyd, en moeite, die dag en ook na die tyd met die oplaai van fotos - woorde nie genoeg om die waardering te bevestig nie. Waardeer jou en al die ander fotograwe wat met hierdie pragtige sport van ons assosieer is. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

My son followed a Paul Roos rider on a practice lap the morning of the race. The PR guy took the A-line in the Blue Gums section, pulled way too much front brake and went over. He broke his wrist and that was his day done.

 

My son said that A-line was almost impossible to do. You had to have serious skills to do it. Another PR rider got a piece of stick into the side of his chest or abdomen. The ambulance had a busy morning.

Yeah, an XCO level a line isn't for pussies... glad your lightie did well!

[Shebeen]

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.

It's not that popular because it hurts so much!

 

But ja, the Spur series gets loads of kids into it. I suppose economies of scale means that no event manager wants to put them on so it comes down to federations.

[-cK-]

Was my first ever XCO and the first time I found myself saying holy crap do I really want to do this   

 

Discovered I really lack some skills/pair for the A-lines but that one section where you had no option but to ride it really helped to push me out from my comfort zone.

 

I went with one goal and that was not to get lapped and somehow managed to achieve that and do my 6 laps so all things considered I'm happy to have done the full distance and made it in one peace, bar the bailout crash during practice where my ego and new bike frame took the most damage