Very few PPA MTB Events

[LeoKnight]

I am definitely not suggesting road closure like the cycle tour - just road permission for 4 funrides. To my Knowledge only about 2 funrides in RSA have road closure all the other have road permission.

 

At the time of most of these ride been cancelled was the main road to Fish hoek and road works - this is finally finish - yet the rides are not back.

 

I think the big challenge will remain traffic and parked cars, probably possible for medium / shorter, it is just easier in the North where there are open roads with less pressure from other road users, less intersections to man with volunteers, less disruptions.  Not saying it is not possible, but you will first need to deal with all the residents there that will make stink about it and petition against any races in that area

[Tim Brink]

You of all people should know what happend to these rides, Traffic, getting access to road use and COST of traffic officers. Not to mention that the costs would now bring out all the moaners on every platform. You are never going to get access to road-closures for an additional 4 events a year with what maybe 1 to 3k entrants but have to have the closures to cater for the slowest riders. I think the Sportif's dont even get 2k entrants.

 

BUT it would be nice if you could get something done. Then again I would not be there as the traffic to get there and back from the N Sburbs would also be a bit of a bitch. So these rides would be for elite's and locals. So the numbers could be even less.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

Don't feed the troll.

[ChrisF]

Don't mind starting at the back for Elgin, I never race it anyway. What you say about MTB event is true though, and with many other event organisers now in the game it seems those are where it's happening.

 

Fine Breede is on Entry Ninja. Stupid me entered for it only to realise we are heading out to Clanwilliam that day for Cederberg 100 miler. 

 

This is our third year of doing MTB FUN-rides.  Especially the shorter rides with Maritz.

 

This time last year I was also frantically looking for events, with neither PPA nor Cycleevents having "fun rides" on their calendar.  LOTS or road events, and LOTS of stage races, but no fun rides that can be considered as "family friendly" .... so much fro growing the sport amongst the younger folk .....  I was VERY dissapointed.

 

Then late February I started getting emails from cycle-events (they have me details from previous events).  And the the calendars started filling up .... and the same events was then also on PPA calendar.

 

One reality is that these events are planned around exams and school holidays, understandably.  So it soon ended with multiple events on the same weekend, and then weeks of nothing for the family.

 

 

So in 2019 I thought I will approach this differently, and I walked into one of the cycle shops in Worcester that is consistently one of the big event sponsors in the Boland .... And I asked them for their list of events for the year.  Imagine my surprise when the owner of the shop told me that is was all arranged by Dirtopia, and he only gets the dates much later .... Okayyyyy .... Back home I logged into Dirtopia and was doubly surprized to find 2018 repeating, LISTS of stage events, and NOTHING for the family .....

 

 

To add to my confusion, for the last few months I get the Joburg event emails from Cycle events .... with some NICE family events !!  I have even emailed them and asked them to update (reset) my details so that I get the Western Cape events emails .... got another stunning event email this week, for Mpumalanga .....

 

 

 

HOPING this is a repeat of 2018 ... in that I HOPE we will soon get the details of the local events !!!

 

 

Roux THANKS for the link to "Entry Ninja".  Seems they do have some nice events  (still searching to see if I can get it in a calandar format, or if I have to go through a 100 pages to figure the possible events ....

 

 

Certainly DO want do the Fine Breede again this year !!  

 

 

 

 

as for PPA .... they "may" do the odd thing for cycling safety, but they sure as heck dont do much to promote cycling for families !  

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER - this post clearly look at events from a "family" perspective.  For those doing stage events, "Sportive" events etc there are MANY well advertised options !!  But surely you need to cater for the family events if you want to groom the next generation ....

[ChrisF]

The TITLE of this thread - "Very few PPA MTB events"

 

Just looked again.

 

Currently TWO MTB events in the Western Cape on the PPA calander.  The first one was canceled last year, after paying ... The second is only in August ....  For neither any further detail is listed.

 

 

INTERESTING that even the PPA lists various stage races under the full list, but does NOT list these stage races under "MTB Events"

 

 

So as per the title - NOPE, PPA certainly does NOT have "many MTB events" ...    

 

 

DISCLAIMER - If my computer skills sucks so badly that I have not seen listed events, PLEASE point me in the right direction !!

[IMPACT]

Chris did you consider doing the CTCT MTB 20km event with Maritz coming up beginning March!

[ChrisF]

Chris did you consider doing the CTCT MTB 20km event with Maritz coming up beginning March!

 

Jip. 

 

 

 

LOTS of good feedback from those that did it last year.

[meathead]

I was looking at Dirtopia website, and saw a good few PPA mtb races listed there that is not on the PPA website. Include the link

 

http://www.dirtopia.co.za/index.php/mtbcalendar

 

Maybe in planning stages?

[ChrisF]

I was looking at Dirtopia website, and saw a good few PPA mtb races listed there that is not on the PPA website. Include the link

 

http://www.dirtopia.co.za/index.php/mtbcalendar

 

Maybe in planning stages?

 

I see Dirtopia now lists the Fine Breede event, this certainly was not listed 2 weeks ago.

 

As you say, various "PPA events" on the Dirtopia site that does not show on the PPA site ... Wierd !!  After the fires one can only hope the Hermanus PPA event still goes ahead ....

[Hairy]

Bravo!         

Don't feed the troll.

[LeoKnight]

Jip.

 

 

 

LOTS of good feedback from those that did it last year.

Also have a look at Ride the Vines site on fb they also do some nice rides around the winelands

[ChrisF]

So at the moment we search between these to find rides :

 

Ride the Vines - https://www.facebook.com/search/str/Ride+the+Vines/keywords_search

 

PPA – https://www.pedalpower.org.za/events/

 

Dirtopia – http://www.dirtopia.co.za/index.php/dirtopia-events

 

Cycle Events – http://www.cycleevents.co.za/

 

Entry Ninja - www.entryninja.com

 

 

 

PLEASE add to this list if you know of others ....

[Rouxenator]

Road rides moved out of traffic areas and are now the Sportiv series. They are a dime a dozen and not my cup of

 

Most the MTB rides seem to have gone it alone.

 

tl;dr Those more inclined towards MTB might not stay PPA members.

[ChrisF]

Road rides moved out of traffic areas and are now the Sportiv series. They are a dime a dozen and not my cup of

 

Most the MTB rides seem to have gone it alone.

 

tl;dr Those more inclined towards MTB might not stay PPA members.

 

Bit of a conundrum ....

 

With the number of trails in the Tyberberg MTB club, as well as various others in the Western Cape, it is frankly cheaper to go ride a trail than to attend a "fun-ride" .... so financially it is an easy decision.

 

However, I definately also want to introduce Maritz into the world of "group rides" .... as much for the skill as for teaching him the comeradery of such events ....