Has the MTB Stage Racing bubble finally burst?

[DieselnDust]

Happy to provide all the info I have to anyone who wants it. And some who don't want it. Hehe.

 

I've been to Morzine 8 times (It's the biggest riding area in the World so....) Italy (bassano del Grappa) once and Mallorca Once. I've also helped at least 30 Saffer first timers get to Morz. I think we are so blessed to have an enjoyable sport that we can do on vacation and we get so much more being on our bikes rather than sitting on a train or bus trying to do the whole of Europe in 2 weeks.

 

My golden rules

• I tend to like to stay in one spot rather than moving about. This keeps costs lower and there's less research to do.
• The sandpit airlines tend to be best for bikes
• Airbnb and hit the local supermarket. I find you integrate better into the area this way.
• Stay away from bars & Restaurants. These kill your budget. You can EASILY feed 2 people on 20 Euro a day shopping in the supermarkets. EASY PEASY.
• If you are going in a big crew then catered might be best to avoid kitchen politics and strained friendships
• Easy walking distance from a supermarket. We didn't do this in Italy and it made things a lot more difficult
• Try not to rent a car. If you have to, try to rent it only for the days that you will actually use it. Duh!
• If you are going roadie consider renting a bike rather than taking your own. We rented in Mallorca and there was zero hassle with bikes and boxes getting there and back
• Plan your riding. With strava, trailforks, climbbybike etc you can easily set up an itinerary of your riding days
• If you have a headline ride do it early. You don't want to go all the way to Mallorca and not do Sa Calobra cos it was raining.

 

We've started planning a trip to the Pyrenees for next year early June. The current plan is fly to Toulouse. Rent a car. Stay in Argeles Gazost. 5 headline TDF climbs over 8 days. It's a holiday not a training camp. Then head to Andorra or Ainsa in Spain for 2 nights.

 

 

Post more info please. sounds exciting!

[Duane_Bosch]

You posted some pics of road riding, do you do mtn biking and road trips?

Yerp. My fiance is 100% roadie so when we go together is road bikes. I'm happy to ride anything with 2 wheels.

 

Been to Morzine (I wanted to show my Fiance the place), Bassano del Grappa on the roadies as well as Mallorca.

[hansolo]

It's a very nice event and I loved it but the price seems very steep for what you are getting, I could probably buy a Banhoek and Jonkers year permit for the same price...

 

I would rather pay less for an entry and not get an event T-shirt, riding shirt and/or medal. The sizing and quality of these "freebies" is always a hit and miss. I have more than enough clothes and I think most event shirts eventually gets donated to charity. 

 

 

 

 

A fare is a cost..... 

 

R850 a day to ride around Jonkers and other mostly public stellies trails is a bit much if you're a local.

 

If you're and out of towner who needs an excuse to come, then by all means it is better than some other events.

 

I have gone off racing hugely and I am far happier for it. I dig riding trails with my friends, making missions to cool places and organising my life to my own needs.

 

I still enter some iconic running races and did Argust this year, but nah... For me the Eselfontein stage race is great value and the Picket-bo-berg races are worth doing as they are an entirely charitable, non profit event AND the trails are rad and open just for the 2 events.

 

We are all programmed to accept that racing is 'normal' and pay astronomical amounts of money to 'race'. It's a silly mentality. Imagine everyone put their annual race entry fees into local trail development, safety and maintenance?

 

We would all be riding radical trails with our mates actually enjoying bike riding. Pseudo pro's wouldn't dope in vet cat and people like Shan Wilson wouldn't be ruining the lives of aspiring youngsters......

 

Just saying