Delanie Posted April 9, 2018 Share Event Name: The U MTB Stage RaceWhen: 19 October 2018 - 21 October 2018Where: Moutons Valley Farm, Piket-bo-berg, Western CapeCategory: MTBWe want to invite you to joins us for SA’s Single Track Stage Race for REAL MOUNTAIN BIKERS in a small and exclusive event, The U.Set in race village second to none showcasing the natural beauty of our mountains, paired with great food, drinks and our small town hospitality. U will enjoy2,5 days of unforgettable authentic mountain biking covering 101km of Single Trackthe privacy of your own tent, with Luxury & Deluxe unit options availablerelaxing afternoons and evenings in the Chill Zone next to the damThe field is limited to only 200 riders – be sure to book your spot for 2018!Online entries opening on the 25th of April!Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates. WEEKEND PROGRAM: Prologue - Friday: Time Trial FormatDistance: 7.06km | Elevation: 169m Episode 1 - SaturdayDistance: 49.82km | Elevation: 1567m Episode 2 - SundayDistance: 51.08km | Elevation: 1418mGo to Event Page Edited April 16, 2018 by Delanie Delarey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTBeer Posted April 9, 2018 Share What is the cost this year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bag68 Posted April 9, 2018 Share I don't know the cost this year, I couldn't afford it last year, which is a huge pity.. so I just very much look forward to there one day event, The way I talk of the one day event to plenty people, I should get sponsored for the U Stage race Just saying Delanie and DirtyDan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delanie Posted April 9, 2018 Share What is the cost this year?Hi MTBeer - herewith our entry fees for 2018: Standard @ R6 500 per individualYour standard entry includes:All meals from the Friday evening until Sunday lunch, including light snacks on the Friday afternoon Your own two-man tent & mattress, bedding excludedStandard @ R11 000 per teamYour standard entry includes:All meals from the Friday evening until Sunday lunch, including light snacks on the Friday afternoon Your own two-man tent & mattress, bedding excludedLuxury @ R9 500 per individualYour luxury entry includes:All meals from the Friday evening until Sunday lunch, including light snacks on the Friday afternoon Your own four-man tent with a single bed, a bedside table, shaded seating and ground cover in front of your tent with 2 camp chairs, a solar light, bedding includedLuxury @ R14 000 per teamYour luxury team entry includes:All meals from the Friday evening until Sunday lunch, including light snacks on the Friday afternoon Your own four-man tent with two single beds, a bedside table, shaded seating and ground cover in front of your tent with 2 camp chairs, a solar light, bedding includedDeluxe @ R18 000 per team (teams only)Your deluxe team entry includes:Fully equipped luxury serviced accommodation with proper single beds for 2 evenings (double beds available upon request), bedding & towels includedComplimentary Drinks & SnacksAccess to the permanent ablution facilitiesDesignated parking area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delanie Posted April 9, 2018 Share I don't know the cost this year, I couldn't afford it last year, which is a huge pity.. so I just very much look forward to there one day event, The way I talk of the one day event to plenty people, I should get sponsored for the U Stage race Just saying Thanks for the enthusiasm T-Bag68 - looking forward to sharing the trails with you! T-Bag68 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcg Posted April 9, 2018 Share There is NO doubt that this is a "must do" event - HOWEVER the price tag is just too heavy for me, despite all the advantages.2 & 1/4 riding days don't add up enough, if I compare to the Ezelfontein event (where you arrange own accommodation) for just R1000! And it's amazing riding there too. But, to be fair, the riding is better overall at Piket Bo Berg.I've done the one-day cycle challenge twice and the route is just amazing. Love the technical riding. Views amazing. One of the best events out there. PS You might want to update website with all relevant info though. Edited April 9, 2018 by mrcg varkie2 and babse 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewbacca Posted April 9, 2018 Share There is NO doubt that this is a "must do" event - HOWEVER the price tag is just too heavy for me, despite all the advantages.2 & 1/4 riding days don't add up enough, if I compare to the Ezelfontein event (where you arrange own accommodation) for just R1000! And it's amazing riding there too. But, to be fair, the riding is better overall at Piket Bo Berg.I've done the one-day cycle challenge twice and the route is just amazing. Love the technical riding. Views amazing. One of the best events out there. PS You might want to update website with all relevant info though.The thing is, the one day event covers the '***' trails up there.... The U takes you to the good trails! I know it's 'expensive' but it's no more expensive than W2W and it is scientifically proven to be at least 55.7 times better. The food is awesome, the setting amazing. More than 1 bottle of water per rider per day... Ezelfontein is cheaper, but then the target market might be different too. This is more of a weekend away with all the bells and whistles AND amazing riding. Disclaimer. I have nothing to do with the race. I have done it once, been lucky enough to ride there a few times and had to miss it last year after falling off my bike a week before and breaking my back. Hopefully they will allow me back this year... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bag68 Posted April 10, 2018 Share Thanks for the enthusiasm T-Bag68 - looking forward to sharing the trails with you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skubarra Posted April 10, 2018 Share There is NO doubt that this is a "must do" event - HOWEVER the price tag is just too heavy for me, despite all the advantages.2 & 1/4 riding days don't add up enough, if I compare to the Ezelfontein event (where you arrange own accommodation) for just R1000! And it's amazing riding there too. But, to be fair, the riding is better overall at Piket Bo Berg.I've done the one-day cycle challenge twice and the route is just amazing. Love the technical riding. Views amazing. One of the best events out there. PS You might want to update website with all relevant info though. Confirms my theory again that if you see a new race on the calendar that looks appealing you don't wait for next year! (Think this one was just over 3K a rider 2 years ago). If the race is any good the entry fee will either double over the next 2/3 years (but it comes with the risk that it might be a well marketed crap race...) Well done to the organisers, certainly looks like a unique event worth doing if its in your budget. Edited April 10, 2018 by Skubarra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delanie Posted April 10, 2018 Share Confirms my theory again that if you see a new race on the calendar that looks appealing you don't wait for next year! (Think this one was just over 3K a rider 2 years ago). If the race is any good the entry fee will either double over the next 2/3 years (but it comes with the risk that it might be a well marketed crap race...) Well done to the organisers, certainly looks like a unique event worth doing if its in your budget.Thanks for your insights & kind words Skubarra. The event is now in its 3rd year, and that first year that you were referring to was our 'trial event'. It was a self-catered event where riders could bring their own tents and experience the event in a very basic form, They provided valuable feedback which allowed us the opportunity to further define what the direction of the event would be. From the next year, we included all the 'bells and whistles' to create a unique stage race where riders can experience great food, beer and wine in a beautiful race venue with some amazing technical trails which obviously added more expenses, resulting in higher entry fees, but also created a unique and intimate experience for riders. Hope clarifies the initial price increase.. Skubarra and T-Bag68 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted April 10, 2018 Share There is NO doubt that this is a "must do" event - HOWEVER the price tag is just too heavy for me, despite all the advantages.2 & 1/4 riding days don't add up enough, if I compare to the Ezelfontein event (where you arrange own accommodation) for just R1000! And it's amazing riding there too. But, to be fair, the riding is better overall at Piket Bo Berg.I've done the one-day cycle challenge twice and the route is just amazing. Love the technical riding. Views amazing. One of the best events out there. PS You might want to update website with all relevant info though.I think you need to compare apples with apples. This is a unique event, they have chosen to go the route of keeping numbers down and this means costs go up (200 riders only). I can't begin to imagine what the budget deficit currently is in the amount of kickass trails built there. Is there another event similar to this? probably not. this is probably closest to it, same ballpark pricing.http://winelandsencounter.co.za/entryPackage.html Delanie and T-Bag68 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcg Posted April 10, 2018 Share I think you need to compare apples with apples. This is a unique event, they have chosen to go the route of keeping numbers down and this means costs go up (200 riders only). I can't begin to imagine what the budget deficit currently is in the amount of kickass trails built there. Is there another event similar to this? probably not. this is probably closest to it, same ballpark pricing.http://winelandsencounter.co.za/entryPackage.htmlThat's the thing - there are no apples vs apples comparisons possible. Ever. Everything is approximate. Each event is unique in it's own right.Hence my "sort of" comparison with Ezel - own accommo, meals etc. So yes, different market they are trying to appeal to.But bottom line remains: we are all mtb'ers wanting to ride all trails (read best trails) at an affordable rate (to each individually). That is a conundrum for event organisers as they cannot/don't want to cater to all.If I could do the U with my own little camping spot (paid for), tent (rooftop tent) and my own meals (or buy local), at a cheaper rate, I would be there in a flash.Oh well, maybe one day....after I've saved up. babse and hansolo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted April 10, 2018 Share That's the thing - there are no apples vs apples comparisons possible. Ever. Everything is approximate. Each event is unique in it's own right.Hence my "sort of" comparison with Ezel - own accommo, meals etc. So yes, different market they are trying to appeal to.But bottom line remains: we are all mtb'ers wanting to ride all trails (read best trails) at an affordable rate (to each individually). That is a conundrum for event organisers as they cannot/don't want to cater to all.If I could do the U with my own little camping spot (paid for), tent (rooftop tent) and my own meals (or buy local), at a cheaper rate, I would be there in a flash.Oh well, maybe one day....after I've saved up.I think you're missing the point, they're specifically not catering for that type of rider. I myself did Ezels 3day last year and not the U (I did the pbb 1 day), and will probably do likewise again. I do think the U is expensive, and a bit exclusive. But I will defend their right to put it on that way! GLuvsMtb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skubarra Posted April 10, 2018 Share I think you're missing the point, they're specifically not catering for that type of rider. I myself did Ezels 3day last year and not the U (I did the pbb 1 day), and will probably do likewise again. I do think the U is expensive, and a bit exclusive. But I will defend their right to put it on that way! I don't think mcrg is disagreeing with you on this... He is just saying he prefer different kind of events DieselnDust 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewbacca Posted April 10, 2018 Share I don't think mcrg is disagreeing with you on this... He is just saying he prefer different kind of eventsI think so too and completely see where he is coming from.... that said he should start an Ezel 3 day stage race event thread and stop trying to tell the organisers how to market theirs on the thread they started.... (just saying.) That came out a bit harsh.. I don't mean it like that. But Delanie and Rickus have put a heck of a lot of thought into the way they want the event to run. I still sound like harsh... sorry MRCG, I really don't mean to! I give up... back to bed to find my nice voice!!! I suppose it's similar to my rant about no one willing to help me get a frame only Santa Cruz chameleon.... I was bleak but looking at it, organisers/importers can't really look at the peanuts brigade as a business model as that same peanut brigade will just go elsewhere if the price is right. They need to invest in the part of the market where they will see return. If that means less sales, better exclusivity and a higher mark up, then I will indeed look elsewhere with my peanuts. I still want a Santa Cruz Chameleon and I do still want to ride the U.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcg Posted April 10, 2018 Share I think so too and completely see where he is coming from.... that said he should start an Ezel 3 day stage race event thread and stop trying to tell the organisers how to market theirs on the thread they started.... (just saying.) That came out a bit harsh.. I don't mean it like that. But Delanie and Rickus have put a heck of a lot of thought into the way they want the event to run. I still sound like harsh... sorry MRCG, I really don't mean to! I give up... back to bed to find my nice voice!!! I suppose it's similar to my rant about no one willing to help me get a frame only Santa Cruz chameleon.... I was bleak but looking at it, organisers/importers can't really look at the peanuts brigade as a business model as that same peanut brigade will just go elsewhere if the price is right. They need to invest in the part of the market where they will see return. If that means less sales, better exclusivity and a higher mark up, then I will indeed look elsewhere with my peanuts. I still want a Santa Cruz Chameleon and I do still want to ride the U.... Indeed dude, you are totally misreading me LOLNot telling U-organisers how to market, price or run their event.Having done the single day event twice and seen footage of their other tracks, this is top notch riding country, so I am salivating to be on them.I was just putting out there my perspective on why I can't take part - yet. No rant. Just a perspective. No agenda or intention either. Just a discussion and "comparison", as we do on forums.#justsayingEnjoy your day peeps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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