So the Ezelenduro is on again - but you still can't go if you don't know teh right people?

[Headshot]

hahaha I'm glad you can see the funny side.

 

I am still hoping for a sneaky invite but if not, I will just go and thrash about at Jonkers with a giant smile on my face.

Of course I can - I am quite prepared to take shite for my stance on this. I'd be happy to participate in the event and come back here cap in hand when I get f***d up too. I just sense an element of smug superiority about this and I detest that.  Not sure how the organizers can make that go away but perhaps if its private let it remain so...

[Lance Cruz]

“I just sense an element of smug superiority about this and I detest that.”

 

If you knew the people involved, it would dissuade you most strongly from that opinion. They are very much the antithesis of the superiority complex contamination which is seeping, with rampant toxicity, throughout mountain biking in South Africa.

 

There is a gatekeeping policy with invites, the function of which is justifiable. If you run a suitable Enduro series placing, you could certainly feel aggrieved for not being allowed in.

 

“ I'd be happy to participate in the event and come back here cap in hand when I get f***d up too.”

 

And the guilt and admin of executing a complex evacuation?

 

Consider that this is a burden for others to cope with. This is the crux I keep alluding to, and the reason why the event is invite-only and a pseudo-mate’s race of sorts. It is not an Enduro series event.

Something to aspire to. These are choice words.

 

Too many things in mountain biking are all-inclusive and not earned. You should have something to quest towards in your riding.

 

One cannot buy the focus to clear the entry feature on the Plumber line, for instance. I can’t do it yet. And I could ride the old black with proficiency. This messes with my mind something stupid. But that double black is my project for 2016 and I curse Bennett and Hylton, but am also eternally grateful for them having gifted such a challenge to us.

 

Same thing with this Enduro. If you are not invited, consider the entry requirements, and attempt to meet them. It’s a fantastic incentive methinks. Better than saying you are training for a stage race. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

“I just sense an element of smug superiority about this and I detest that.”

 

If you knew the people involved, it would dissuade you most strongly from that opinion. They are very much the antithesis of the superiority complex contamination which is seeping, with rampant toxicity, throughout mountain biking in South Africa.

 

There is a gatekeeping policy with invites, the function of which is justifiable. If you run a suitable Enduro series placing, you could certainly feel aggrieved for not being allowed in.

 

“ I'd be happy to participate in the event and come back here cap in hand when I get f***d up too.”

 

And the guilt and admin of executing a complex evacuation?

 

Consider that this is a burden for others to cope with. This is the crux I keep alluding to, and the reason why the event is invite-only and a pseudo-mate’s race of sorts. It is not an Enduro series event.

Something to aspire to. These are choice words.

 

Too many things in mountain biking are all-inclusive and not earned. You should have something to quest towards in your riding.

 

One cannot buy the focus to clear the entry feature on the Plumber line, for instance. I can’t do it yet. And I could ride the old black with proficiency. This messes with my mind something stupid. But that double black is my project for 2016 and I curse Bennett and Hylton, but am also eternally grateful for them having gifted such a challenge to us.

 

Same thing with this Enduro. If you are not invited, consider the entry requirements, and attempt to meet them. It’s a fantastic incentive methinks. Better than saying you are training for a stage race. 

Daai ****** ding. It's not difficult. It just messes with your mind completely. I'm pretty sure that If I just did the thing, I'd be fine and wonder WTF all the fuss was about. But the nopes are just there, like with every other fecking gap and drop.

[Hairy]

“I just sense an element of smug superiority about this and I detest that.”

 

If you knew the people involved, it would dissuade you most strongly from that opinion. They are very much the antithesis of the superiority complex contamination which is seeping, with rampant toxicity, throughout mountain biking in South Africa.

 

There is a gatekeeping policy with invites, the function of which is justifiable. If you run a suitable Enduro series placing, you could certainly feel aggrieved for not being allowed in.

 

“ I'd be happy to participate in the event and come back here cap in hand when I get f***d up too.”

 

And the guilt and admin of executing a complex evacuation?

 

Consider that this is a burden for others to cope with. This is the crux I keep alluding to, and the reason why the event is invite-only and a pseudo-mate’s race of sorts. It is not an Enduro series event.

Something to aspire to. These are choice words.

 

Too many things in mountain biking are all-inclusive and not earned. You should have something to quest towards in your riding.

 

One cannot buy the focus to clear the entry feature on the Plumber line, for instance. I can’t do it yet. And I could ride the old black with proficiency. This messes with my mind something stupid. But that double black is my project for 2016 and I curse Bennett and Hylton, but am also eternally grateful for them having gifted such a challenge to us.

 

Same thing with this Enduro. If you are not invited, consider the entry requirements, and attempt to meet them. It’s a fantastic incentive methinks. Better than saying you are training for a stage race. 

ag please man ... you telling me the people flogging out for S-Werx #ENDURO's or whatever's top of the range bikes can't just roll it on their new shinny bikes .... ppfffftttt

[Jewbacca]

Daai ****** ding. It's not difficult. It just messes with your mind completely. I'm pretty sure that If I just did the thing, I'd be fine and wonder WTF all the fuss was about. But the nopes are just there, like with every other fecking gap and drop.

It really isn't that hard... Just have the balls to fall off and you probably never will.

 

I find that first blind rock roll off to pallet far more intimidating on that line. That and the silly spine/gap which are me up last time!

 

The plumber is one of the few open to the public trails that makes me both cream and soil my pants simultaneously.

 

But back to the topic at hand..... It can't be that hard can it, the Ezelduro?

 

I mean, some guy finished in the top 20 on a home made hardtail last year...... pffffft!!!! 

[Hairy]

It really isn't that hard... Just have the balls to fall off and you probably never will.

 

I find that first blind rock roll off to pallet far more intimidating on that line. That and the silly spine/gap which are me up last time!

 

The plumber is one of the few open to the public trails that makes me both cream and soil my pants simultaneously.

 

But back to the topic at hand..... It can't be that hard can it, the Ezelduro?

 

I mean, some guy finished in the top 20 on a home made hardtail last year...... pffffft!!!! 

exactly ...... what the vet does he know anyway .... (see what I did there)

[Headshot]

“I just sense an element of smug superiority about this and I detest that.”

 

If you knew the people involved, it would dissuade you most strongly from that opinion. They are very much the antithesis of the superiority complex contamination which is seeping, with rampant toxicity, throughout mountain biking in South Africa.

 

There is a gatekeeping policy with invites, the function of which is justifiable. If you run a suitable Enduro series placing, you could certainly feel aggrieved for not being allowed in.

 

“ I'd be happy to participate in the event and come back here cap in hand when I get f***d up too.”

 

And the guilt and admin of executing a complex evacuation?

 

Consider that this is a burden for others to cope with. This is the crux I keep alluding to, and the reason why the event is invite-only and a pseudo-mate’s race of sorts. It is not an Enduro series event.

Something to aspire to. These are choice words.

 

Too many things in mountain biking are all-inclusive and not earned. You should have something to quest towards in your riding.

 

One cannot buy the focus to clear the entry feature on the Plumber line, for instance. I can’t do it yet. And I could ride the old black with proficiency. This messes with my mind something stupid. But that double black is my project for 2016 and I curse Bennett and Hylton, but am also eternally grateful for them having gifted such a challenge to us.

 

Same thing with this Enduro. If you are not invited, consider the entry requirements, and attempt to meet them. It’s a fantastic incentive methinks. Better than saying you are training for a stage race. 

You have some valid points but please - don't give me the "something to aspire to" line. 

 

Since when are the races the criteria - who knew about that? Last time it was mates who knew each other and it was your fault you didn't have the right friends. Now its something else. If its your private event - keep it private and stop going on about how tech and difficult it is when in fact all you want is to have a nice small private race with your upper echelon buddies.

 

If racing and skills are to progress everyone needs more events like this, not more exclusive events to aspire to and someone else deciding if you are super enough to do it.

 

Those trails are in part moto enduro tracks and not packed with man made features like JH so that comparison is not a good one I think.

[Jewbacca]

exactly ...... what the vet does he know anyway .... (see what I did there)

hahahahahaha I see what you did there...... I see!

[Jewbacca]

You have some valid points but please - don't give me the "something to aspire to" line. 

 

Since when are the races the criteria - who knew about that? Last time it was mates who knew each other and it was your fault you didn't have the right friends. Now its something else. If its your private event - keep it private and stop going on about how tech and difficult it is when in fact all you want is to have a nice small private race with your upper echelon buddies.

 

If racing and skills are to progress everyone needs more events like this, not more exclusive events to aspire to and someone else deciding if you are super enough to do it.

 

Those trails are in part moto enduro tracks and not packed with man made features like JH so that comparison is not a good one I think.

The guys doing the inviting really aren't elitist.

 

They are probably the simplest of bikers, full of beers and stoke and radness. I think you have your knickers in a knot about all the wrong things here.

 

Send a request for invite? Maybe bomb the plumber line and strava it or endomondo it or whatever... so they can see you have sufficient skill to smash the enduro?

 

I don't know what you are after here. They are also advertising to get a feel for who is interested.... No point in sending out a heap of invites to a bunch of guys who have a wedding on. It will also maybe pique the interest of some big dogs who in turn will mayhaps bring some new exposure who in turn will perhaps get more people interested in #Enduro and so the circle expands...... 

 

One does not simply rock up to a world series race... That would just be Rude...

[Meezo]

http://www.mememaker.net/static/images/memes/4280495.jpg

[Headshot]

The guys doing the inviting really aren't elitist.

 

They are probably the simplest of bikers, full of beers and stoke and radness. I think you have your knickers in a knot about all the wrong things here.

 

Send a request for invite? Maybe bomb the plumber line and strava it or endomondo it or whatever... so they can see you have sufficient skill to smash the enduro?

 

I don't know what you are after here. They are also advertising to get a feel for who is interested.... No point in sending out a heap of invites to a bunch of guys who have a wedding on. It will also maybe pique the interest of some big dogs who in turn will mayhaps bring some new exposure who in turn will perhaps get more people interested in #Enduro and so the circle expands...... 

 

One does not simply rock up to a world series race... That would just be Rude...

Aaah, so now its a world series event? :-) ( I see what you did there)

 

Jewbacca I know one of the organizers via Tokai MTB and I agree with your assessment of them, my feeling is that they haven't gone about this quite the right way.

 

You're adding even more entry criteria - now its not races its Strava times on the Plumber. Whats next, base jumping off TM? :-)

 

Seriously, the sense I got from my interaction with Rupert on FB was not about feeling the water or looking for invites - more a brush off  - come watch us ride, you're not good enough but maybe we'll invite you one day. 

 

Interesting you mention the big dogs - I presume not the local ones because they are at every enduro anyway. Now that would be exciting. Our own round of the EWS would be even better.

 

What I am after here is no a BS clear and simple approach. Like - 1)these are the criteria to do this race 2) Entry fee 3) ..... 

 

So far we have all sorts of  ideas about how it works from  - doing races ( how well do you have to do?) to great Strava times on certain gnarly segments,   and even how many sweeties you can carry. And of course, who knows the right people.... 

[Trillian]

One of a kind (in SA) non public event seems interesting and just up your street.

Scenario 1: Make contact - in real life - with the people concerned and register your interest. Mention your love of rad riding and see where it takes you.

Scenario 2: Act like a giant douche on the internet.

 

You have a skewed perception of the intent and character of the people involved. Rupert included. Preconceived ideas are stubborn little bastards and don't like to shift, but I believe in you.

 

Love, peace and all that hippy sh*t. 

[Super_mil]

You Capies are living up to your reputation of being super cliquey! 

[Headshot]

One of a kind (in SA) non public event seems interesting and just up your street.

Scenario 1: Make contact - in real life - with the people concerned and register your interest. Mention your love of rad riding and see where it takes you.

Scenario 2: Act like a giant douche on the internet.

 

You have a skewed perception of the intent and character of the people involved. Rupert included. Preconceived ideas are stubborn little bastards and don't like to shift, but I believe in you.

 

Love, peace and all that hippy sh*t. 

Trillian, I didn't have a preconceived idea about Rupert at all - I have met him and he seemed like a decent guy.   I admit that I do have preconceived ideas about this particular event because the same thing happened last year. 

 

At first I thought he was sharing the event so widely because entries had been opened up to all . I did not know he was an organizer. The FB link did not work and slowly it dawned on me that my initial optimism was premature. The responses I got from Rupert when i asked about entering seemed to confirm my perceptions that the event - the details of which I could not even access, was elitist and a bit of a buddy buddy event. Maybe it is maybe its not.

 

As I said above - if you are doing something like this, make the criteria and rules clear and then go about selecting people before you blab it all over FB and then let them discover that its a closed event. Proper communication in other words. 

 

If my attitude and crit of the response I received from Rupert and to other defenders of the event makes me "a douche on the internet" then so be it. 

[Trillian]

I know, right? Every weekend and even weekday there are rides I'm not invited to. And when I invite certain people they have to wash their hair. Aaaaand they put it all up on the internet afterwards.

 

Not the hair washing.

[Trillian]

Didn't mean to wind you up Headshot,

 

Posted before I saw your reply. Was just messing around with Super loser at Madskills.