Patchelicious Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 Exactly ^^^ The inherent riskiness of slopestyle, downhill and even enduro will always make it more of a niche than a mass participation sport. The hub moans about SA being "marathon obsessed" everything is really getting old. Most accurate post ever! (with a few tweaks )
Odinson Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 Exactly ^^^ The inherent riskiness of slopestyle, downhill and even enduro will always make it more of a niche than a mass participation sport. The hub moans about SA being "marathon obsessed" is really getting old. Sport doesn't need to be accessible to be appreciated and followed by the masses. How many folks outside of school still play rugby, soccer or cricket on a regular basis? There is an effective 0% chance that Average Joe would ever get to drive an F1 car. Doesn't mean that it is therefore "niche". The fact is that most SA MTBers are oblivious to the wider MTB universe and that is a damn shame. You can still ride your Trailseekers weekend in and weekend out, but also appreciate and support what the EWS, DH, slopestyle, freeriders, etc. are doing.
Escapee.. Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 Sport doesn't need to be accessible to be appreciated and followed by the masses. How many folks outside of school still play rugby, soccer or cricket on a regular basis? There is an effective 0% chance that Average Joe would ever get to drive an F1 car. Doesn't mean that it is therefore "niche". The fact is that most SA MTBers are oblivious to the wider MTB universe and that is a damn shame. You can still ride your Trailseekers weekend in and weekend out, but also appreciate and support what the EWS, DH, slopestyle, freeriders, etc. are doing. Its because Gert, James and Andre think they can still play rugby or coach rugby and do it better than the current coach or players
Skubarra Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 The fact is that most SA MTBers are oblivious to the wider MTB universe and that is a damn shame. You can still ride your Trailseekers weekend in and weekend out, but also appreciate and support what the EWS, DH, slopestyle, freeriders, etc. are doing. Maybe the harsh reality is that EWS, DH etc is just not that appealing to a wider audience to watch on a regular basis and not because they are "oblivious" about it's existence. What makes that (or any sport) so special that it deserve support from us?
Headshot Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 Exactly ^^^ The inherent riskiness of slopestyle, downhill and even enduro will always make it more of a niche than a mass participation sport. The hub moans about SA being "marathon obsessed" is really getting old.Nah it's not that. SA has been fed a diet of masochistic marathon stuff for years.We have been brainwashed. The injuries you see on fun rides are usually far worse than at enduro events and even dh. I follow the Epic and some of the other stage races as well as DH enduro and some road.I have made an effort to follow these other disciplines and upskill myself so that I can participate in some enduro and dh events. Would be cool if more Saffers did the same.
Odinson Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 Maybe the harsh reality is that EWS, DH etc is just not that appealing to a wider audience to watch on a regular basis and not because they are "oblivious" about it's existence. What makes that (or any sport) so special that it deserve support from us? Who's "us"?
Shebeen Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 Meanwhile, I don't like tents ⛺Cool short vid by Spez on accommodation MTB Cribs!! ha ha ha - mr Snor is too funny
mrcg Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 Some really cool pis those!Really cool.....what??? LOL
Skubarra Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 Who's "us"? The millions of people who are oblivious to the amazing sport of downhill cycling.
Velouria Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 Pffft - slopstyle schmopestyle. Brett Rheeder is far too mainstream for me. Kris Holm is the true legend here and my newest obscure hero. Makes schmopestyle look as popular as the second Sunday in March in Cape Town... Now go and talk k@k in another thread - I'm quite sure this is supposed to be about that extremely mainstream and over popular MTB stage race that every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to do, and where the winners hardly get any money. Us cool kids can go name drop unknown cyclists elsewhere...
Headshot Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 Back to the Epic. Great pics Tank man. I love the event precisely because it is so mainstream you can go to a braai and someone there has done it or is training for it. Would be cool if you couid have the same conversations about other branches of the sport with the same people though. Some guys I know have just completed 3. I'd still like to do it one day.
Velouria Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 Back to the Epic. Great pics Tank man. I love the event precisely because it is so mainstream you can go to a braai and someone there has done it or is training for it. Would be cool if you couid have the same conversations about other branches of the sport with the same people though. Some guys I know have just completed 3. I'd still like to do it one day.It's a great race. The months of building excitement. The mad panic and fear that keeps you awake the week before the start. The exhilaration of rolling down that prologue start ramp. The intimidation of so many lean, sleek, mean bike racers (even the back markers are monsters). The enjoyment of stage 1. The realisation that there are still 6 stages to go. The suffering of stage 2 with tired legs. The one-day-at-a-time approach from day 3. The thousand yard stare at breakfast and dinner as you know you have to cram that food down your throat in order to survive the next stage. The halfway mark. The discovery of a routine that works for you. The realisation that there are just 2 stages left. The elation of finishing the 2nd last stage. The worry about not completing the final stage. The disappointment on crossing the finish line knowing that you'll be leaving the many new friends and comrades and be rejoining the real world. The secret pride bursting in your chest while sitting at your desk on Monday morning, stuffing your face with whatever you can find to eat, while your colleagues talk about their weekend. That's why people ride the Epic.
Epic Rookie Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 Anybody have R82900 to lend me? Will happily pay it back over the next year!
AdamA Posted March 27, 2018 Posted March 27, 2018 It's a great race. The months of building excitement. The mad panic and fear that keeps you awake the week before the start. The exhilaration of rolling down that prologue start ramp. The intimidation of so many lean, sleek, mean bike racers (even the back markers are monsters). The enjoyment of stage 1. The realisation that there are still 6 stages to go. The suffering of stage 2 with tired legs. The one-day-at-a-time approach from day 3. The thousand yard stare at breakfast and dinner as you know you have to cram that food down your throat in order to survive the next stage. The halfway mark. The discovery of a routine that works for you. The realisation that there are just 2 stages left. The elation of finishing the 2nd last stage. The worry about not completing the final stage. The disappointment on crossing the finish line knowing that you'll be leaving the many new friends and comrades and be rejoining the real world. The secret pride bursting in your chest while sitting at your desk on Monday morning, stuffing your face with whatever you can find to eat, while your colleagues talk about their weekend. That's why people ride the Epic. Nice piece!!!!
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