[Event] Stellenbosch Mountain Bike Challenge

['Dale]

I haven't raced on the dirt as yet.

Is ample singletrack a standard feature of MTB races? Or promised by race organisers/

I imagine a versatile course that includes some ST, some rocks/gravel, some climbing, some technical stuff (small jumps, sharp uphill switchbacks, etc) is the standard?

 

Or did the Burger organisers make empty promises.

 

I imagine if I was a race organiser for hundreds of MTBers in winter, I would curtail singletrack to promote flow and not have trail terrain issues (possible deep mud ruts and crash incidents)

[dev null]

At least they are not running the 50km over the Wannabee trails where we had lots of mud and grass 2 years ago. I believe the new 50km is better, though I have not ridden it yet.

 

Yes, my son also complained about a certain hill in the middle of the 42km, and I know he CAN climb. He did not have to walk though.

 

If you want a race with lots of ST, then the 40km race we had last year at Boschendal (around September) will be your ticket. Look out for another one this year, though I have not heard of it yet.

Edited July 31, 2017 by Moridin

[Sparki 1]

At least they are not running the 50km over the Wannabee trails where we had lots of mud and grass 2 years ago. I believe the new 50km is better, though I have not ridden it yet.

 

Yes, my son also complained about a certain hill in the middle of the 42km, and I know he CAN climb. He did not have to walk though.

 

If you want a race with lots of ST, then the 40km race we had last year at Boschendal (around September) will be your ticket. Look out for another one this year, though I have not heard of it yet.

that was the Rectron race if memory serves.

[cadenceblur]

I haven't raced on the dirt as yet.

Is ample singletrack a standard feature of MTB races? Or promised by race organisers/

I imagine a versatile course that includes some ST, some rocks/gravel, some climbing, some technical stuff (small jumps, sharp uphill switchbacks, etc) is the standard?

 

Or did the Burger organisers make empty promises.

 

I imagine if I was a race organiser for hundreds of MTBers in winter, I would curtail singletrack to promote flow and not have trail terrain issues (possible deep mud ruts and crash incidents)

Singletrack was non-existent, it was an event catering for the masses. 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Apparently voicing your opinion and moaning is one and the same thing on this forum. If you haven't done an event before it's kind of hard to know how much ST there will be if they don't tell you before hand? And I don't buy the idea of hardly any ST on mass participation events, why have so many different groups if you don't plan on adding ST?

The MTB version of the Cape Town Cycle tour had ST galore and besides some waiting here and there, it worked well.

 

Either way, it was a great day out on the MTB, just not what I was expecting route wise. Seems summer has come early in the Cape

[cadenceblur]

Apparently voicing your opinion and moaning is one and the same thing on this forum. If you haven't done an event before it's kind of hard to know how much ST there will be if they don't tell you before hand? And I don't buy the idea of hardly any ST on mass participation events, why have so many different groups if you don't plan on adding ST?

The MTB version of the Cape Town Cycle tour had ST galore and besides some waiting here and there, it worked well.

 

Either way, it was a great day out on the MTB, just not what I was expecting route wise. Seems summer has come early in the Cape

True - we rode past lots of options.

[Lizzard30]

I did the 42km in 2011, way more ST than yesterday. Persuaded my buddies to ride raving about the awesome ST

 

Route yesterday was basically some steep climbs 15-20% gradients ,steep descents and jeep track.

 

I probably expected more having done Origin of trails and a few other races in Stellies.

 

Doubt I'll be back if route remains the same next year.

 

Not sure if trail tag allows you to drop down a group

Suppose to start @ 9:50, dropped to L (10am start) but time was taken from 9:50

Just checked my results and same problem.. i rode casually with my wife but she beaten me with 20min because i dropped from F batch to H for her..

[Pure Savage]

At least they are not running the 50km over the Wannabee trails where we had lots of mud and grass 2 years ago. I believe the new 50km is better, though I have not ridden it yet.

 

Yes, my son also complained about a certain hill in the middle of the 42km, and I know he CAN climb. He did not have to walk though.

 

If you want a race with lots of ST, then the 40km race we had last year at Boschendal (around September) will be your ticket. Look out for another one this year, though I have not heard of it yet.

We dont believe you unless you post photos of your son on his bike and kit

[dev null]

that was the Rectron race if memory serves.

 

Yes. Poor turnout for such a brilliant race.

[dee_biker]

If you want more ST then simply do the 75km and stop moaning. 

 

I wanted to say exactly that, but you beat me to it... @Rouxenator, I checked our 75km flyby, and we were never more than 2 minutes apart, start to finish...

Edited July 31, 2017 by dee_biker

[no calves]

On a different note....... How was the littering on the other routes? did the 50km and was disgusted by the amount of bar wrappers some only half eaten that was littered.

[dev null]

On a different note....... How was the littering on the other routes? did the 50km and was disgusted by the amount of bar wrappers some only half eaten that was littered.

 

Same problem every year.

 

All we are now missing on the race feedback is complaints about bikes being stolen at the race or from cars at the race...

[Desi]

On a different note....... How was the littering on the other routes? did the 50km and was disgusted by the amount of bar wrappers some only half eaten that was littered.

I also did the 50km, and didn't see any litter. Maybe I was going too fast (not likely), or maybe I spent too much time looking at the scenery (more likely)!

[cadenceblur]

Same problem every year.

 

All we are now missing on the race feedback is complaints about bikes being stolen at the race or from cars at the race...

someone had their bike stolen at the coke truck!!

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/169356-stolen-scott-scale-920-2013-stellenbosch/?source=lfp

[Wannabe]

At least no one is complaining about a bottle neck in the short downhill ST section just before you cross Helshoogte road.

This year was the first time we did not have walkers on this section (must be because I was waaaayyyy at the back of the 60km riders.    )

Was able to go down there so fast the lady at the armco barriers screamed at me to slow down, and something about a slippery bridge. (crate over the ditch) 

[Skubarra]

At least no one is complaining about a bottle neck in the short downhill ST section just before you cross Helshoogte road.

This year was the first time we did not have walkers on this section (must be because I was waaaayyyy at the back of the 60km riders.    )

Was able to go down there so fast the lady at the armco barriers screamed at me to slow down, and something about a slippery bridge. (crate over the ditch) 

 

We have to give the organisers some credit at least    Seems the spreading out of starting times mostly sorted out that little headache that was a big complaint every year

 

Also now we have more secure parking, far less stories of break-ins