Short distances catching long distance riders in mtb races!!!

[dev null]

Jamie

 

A suggestion I have. Why don't you rally up some of your Junior peers and approach Meurant with the suggestion. Talk to Rossouw, Michard, Johan and others and see what they have to say. Michard has worked closely with Meurant with the Spur races before so you already have a foot in the door there if you are willing to make use of it.

 

Schedule a meeting with Meurant and the boys, and suggest that he use such a system for one race and see how it goes. If it works out good, then I am sure some of the other race organisers will also look into it.

 

I wanted to suggest the Spur Classic, but the Spur Classic has a lot op open road before we usually hit the ST around Delvera.

[Skubarra]

 

Starting the racing snakes 5 min before the long men's event, is also an option - if you are in A batch, odds are the A batch men wont catch you..

All of these options will pose new and different challenges, but changing nothing, nothing will change.

I would like to hear the actual event organizers opinions and input.

 

The big assumption you are making is that everyone in A batch will actually be fast-ish...

 

Also is this fair to a fast rider seeded in B bunch who will still be stuck behind slow riders of the long distance?

 

I think route planners will always try if practical to put in a few long climbs before the singletrack to spread the field and change the route where there were bottlenecks - but it will always be a tough issue to get right

[stringbean]

Or event organizers can just allow you to ride the long routes

[gogo@]

Or event organizers can just allow you to ride the long routes

Not really an option. CSA keeps an eye out for that unfortunately.

[Neverfit]

The big assumption you are making is that everyone in A batch will actually be fast-ish...

 

Also is this fair to a fast rider seeded in B bunch who will still be stuck behind slow riders of the long distance?

 

I think route planners will always try if practical to put in a few long climbs before the singletrack to spread the field and change the route where there were bottlenecks - but it will always be a tough issue to get right

Agreed - I am making a few assumptions. it would be very hard to use only data and facts to come to some sort of conclusion/point.

As for the B batch rider.. is it "fair"...yes... he will improve his game, get to A batch and then race with guys doing the same pace. 

This is by no means a fail proof suggestion. There will be someone who draws the short stick - i would just rather it be me in batch ZZ having to start 5 min later, than holding up the fast guys in the front. For me sitting behind a slower rider for a minute does not change a lot....hell I need the breather...as for them it makes a big difference. 

 

If the route allows, I agree that the climbs and Jeep track zones help spread the field. This is where each organizer makes his own call on route setup and layout/direction etc.

 

It can all become a very technical discussion, which wont really help the OP's main question - Can something be done to improve the current status quo...and the answer is yes - there is room for improvement.

[JJDT]

Most MTB races only have batches and the elites are normally A batch men and women.

 

My suggestion would be that the Juniors (aka Half Marathon) boys and girls of the A batch start 5 mins behind the A batch of the marathon.

 

The rest of the starting lineup can remain the same Marathon B - XXX and then the Half Marathon B - XXX.

 

Some of the B batch marathon guys may catch some of juniors or not but when this situation arise the juniors should move when it is safe.

 

To the B bacth of the Half Marathon catching the slower riders in the Marathon it will always be there and as pointed out the issue of logistics around the routes. This may just serve as an inspiration to get to A batch.

[Thor Buttox]

The only solution is starting racing groups early. No other solution makes a lick of sense because:

 

A) if the organiser routes different length races around trails to avoid logjams we get 'but there is so much single-track in that area, I won't support the race again'

B) if the organiser restricts entries we get 'why is it so expensive?'

C) if there aren't enough portaloos, there are other rumblings of discontent.

 

Jamie, race the 'serious' races organised for juniors. Ride the shorter length races and act courteously and realise all the juniors are in the same boat. If Peter Sagan can be third after a lap in Rio, or whatever, you will find a way to pass. Practice a calm 'Coming passed whenever you can' , and never ever call me 'oom'. There will be revenge.

 

And if a Spez-riding, pristinely outfitted, Strava chasing old fart refuses to move, realise that his jealousy is not worth the price of your frustration.

[Skubarra]

Jamie, race the 'serious' races organised for juniors. Ride the shorter length races and act courteously and realise all the juniors are in the same boat. If Peter Sagan can be third after a lap in Rio, or whatever, you will find a way to pass. Practice a calm 'Coming passed whenever you can' , and never ever call me 'oom'. There will be revenge.

 

 

Thing is, this race was a "serious race" - it's part of the WP cycling XCM series for provincial colours..

 

As a funride this was great, loads of singletrack from fairly early on but there weren't much place to pass once you hit the trails. Can imagine that it would have been frustrating for the shorter distance riders racing for colours.

[Thor Buttox]

Thing is, this race was a "serious race" - it's part of the WP cycling XCM series for provincial colours..

 

As a funride this was great, loads of singletrack from fairly early on but there weren't much place to pass once you hit the trails. Can imagine that it would have been frustrating for the shorter distance riders racing for colours.

Ah, OK, my bad. Then definitely the racers must go first. No other option.

[Pure Savage]

Honestly, the biggest problem will event organisers trying to explain this to batch B long distance riders. 

[Pure Savage]

Wait, I take my comment back, the only logical thing to do is do road events instead, there is plenty of space to pass people going to Riebeck Kasteel climb.

[BaGearA]

Race XCO

[dev null]

Thing is, this race was a "serious race" - it's part of the WP cycling XCM series for provincial colours..

 

As a funride this was great, loads of singletrack from fairly early on but there weren't much place to pass once you hit the trails. Can imagine that it would have been frustrating for the shorter distance riders racing for colours.

 

Yes, and Jamie usually rides hard from the beginning, trying to put a massive gap into his competition, Imagine then the frustration in catching up on slow riders on a ST climb, and they take 20 to 30 secs before deciding to move over. In that 30 secs his competition is catching up on him, and he is then effectively paving the way through slow riders and his mates just hook onto his back wheel through the slow traffic. Extremely frustrating.

[dev null]

Race XCO

 

He does. Please take the time to read up about Jamie before making that comment.

 

Here, done for you:

 

https://www.intocycling.co.za/meet-16-year-old-jamie-penfold-mtb-fanatic-olympics/

[BaGearA]

He does. Please take the time to read up about Jamie before making that comment.

 

Here, done for you:

 

https://www.intocycling.co.za/meet-16-year-old-jamie-penfold-mtb-fanatic-olympics/

The Topic is about marathons....

[dev null]

The Topic is about marathons....

 

You raised the topic about racing XCO.