Sep Long Weekend Trip @ Only R8000 for 4 Riders

[T_Boss]

@TBoss my 2c

 

I've tried (unsuccessfully) to get a riding tour company off the ground. We ended up doing 2 trips to France and the trips basically very partially subsidized mine and my partners trips.

 

I truly believe that your type of business has a bright future as mountain bikers in SA begin to realize that multi day stage races are actually a very bad value offering and start seeking our more lifestyle/adventure/experience offerings.

Thanks Duane,

 

I recall your threads about the trips to france, and followed them with great interest back in then.

 

I fully agree with you about stage racing being a bad value offering. But a lot needs to change regarding the mindset of the average South African rider. Our push to offer these trips to the local market currently has been driven in large part by the closure of international travel, and needing to re-package what we were offering previously to oversees vistiors coming to SA. 

 

I have always felt there is a lot of potential in the local market for this type of thing, and it would be good to keep us busy during the "off season", our spring and summer, when incoming european tourists are at a minimum. But its a slow uptake. 

 

One of the most common questions I get from local riders is wanting to know exactly how many KM we will do on a day, and how much climbing etc. "We" are still far too obsessed with chasing numbers on our rides, and that is exatly what I am trying to move away from. that doesnt by any stretch mean the riding is mediocre, or wont push your limits. 

[T_Boss]

That's a great offer man. But honestly it wouldn't sit well with me to take it up for free, and I'm not in a position right now to fairly compensate you.

 

I would love this to be extended, even in part though, to a more respected and experienced hubber, I really think it will do wonders for your credibility and the attractiveness of your offers!

 

Like the poster above, this is a golden opportunity, I just think you've got better ways to get it off the ground and gain momentum.

 

Hopefully I can join in once all my personal nonsense is out of the way!

 

I am glad to extend this offer to any other well respected hubber then. Open to any suggestions/names.

[Kranswurm]

I am glad to extend this offer to any other well respected hubber then. Open to any suggestions/names.

I would go for it but I am committed to the Cape arriving the following Friday only so no can do that weekend.

Good luck.

[madmarc]

mmmmmmm this inviting a Hubber for free on a particular weekend to give a ride report doesn't sit well with me

 

In the back of my mind after reading the report i be saying "they knew he was coming and knew he be writing a critique report, they made a special effort, will i get the same?"

 

What you need is like they have in restaurants where a food crit will arrives like a normal guest unannounced - orders a meal - pays and leaves - and then writes a crit in the local. Now thats something i would trust more.

 

Maybe i'll book one day when i'm no longer living in gangsters paradise 

[Kranswurm]

mmmmmmm this inviting a Hubber for free on a particular weekend to give a ride report doesn't sit well with me

 

In the back of my mind after reading the report i be saying "they knew he was coming and knew he be writing a critique report, they made a special effort, will i get the same?"

 

What you need is like they have in restaurants where a food crit will arrives like a normal guest unannounced - orders a meal - pays and leaves - and then writes a crit in the local. Now thats something i would trust more.

 

Maybe i'll book one day when i'm no longer living in gangsters paradise 

Its standard practice to invite cycling journos to events on a freebie to write a report.I did it many times and got free coverage and advertising

[ChrisF]

..... But its a slow uptake.

 

One of the most common questions I get from local riders is wanting to know exactly how many KM we will do on a day, and how much climbing etc. "We" are still far too obsessed with chasing numbers on our rides, and that is exatly what I am trying to move away from. that doesnt by any stretch mean the riding is mediocre, or wont push your limits.

Taun we have been following your threads, and have often discussed it over a mid ride coffee with other cyclists ...

 

Some random thoughts ...

 

1. This is an incredibly difficult time for most people ... people are cutting back on spending. Ironically it should also mean those that would have gone overseas might have enjoyed your events ...

 

2. Weather in the Western Cape .... anybody that have arranged any type of event in the Western Cape will tell you that people light the kaggel in May and keep it going till October ... any hint of clowds and people cancel minutes before the event ....

 

3. Distances ... most weekend riders want to do a multi.day event ... but the logistics, and reach are unkowns ... so you build up slowly, and each has a distance/reach that they are comfortable with. People want some indication of distance/climbing. I do know that in Stanford it is easy to do way more climbing than in many other areas ...

 

4. Private roads .... we get to ride many of these when attending the Stanford Classic ride at the end of February ... 2 day stage event that is very affordable ... though the costs of accommodation actually brings it close to your prices ...

 

4. Prices ... not much to add to the previous posters, other than those centiments are often discussed ... nobody wants to pay full price when you know it will be marked down 25% on a Wednesday or closer to the event date .... I do hear your side as well ...

 

 

Hope you get the formula right.

[T_Boss]

Taun we have been following your threads, and have often discussed it over a mid ride coffee with other cyclists ...

 

Some random thoughts ...

 

1. This is an incredibly difficult time for most people ... people are cutting back on spending. Ironically it should also mean those that would have gone overseas might have enjoyed your events ...

 

2. Weather in the Western Cape .... anybody that have arranged any type of event in the Western Cape will tell you that people light the kaggel in May and keep it going till October ... any hint of clowds and people cancel minutes before the event ....

 

3. Distances ... most weekend riders want to do a multi.day event ... but the logistics, and reach are unkowns ... so you build up slowly, and each has a distance/reach that they are comfortable with. People want some indication of distance/climbing. I do know that in Stanford it is easy to do way more climbing than in many other areas ...

 

4. Private roads .... we get to ride many of these when attending the Stanford Classic ride at the end of February ... 2 day stage event that is very affordable ... though the costs of accommodation actually brings it close to your prices ...

 

4. Prices ... not much to add to the previous posters, other than those centiments are often discussed ... nobody wants to pay full price when you know it will be marked down 25% on a Wednesday or closer to the event date .... I do hear your side as well ...

 

 

Hope you get the formula right.

 

Thanks for the inputs Chris. 

 

I understand that times are difficult for most people at the moment. with this in mind, we are trying to keep our pricing in check. If we are getting this wrong, obviously we have mis read the market. Some trips however have done very well, and some not so much, we are learning what works and what doesnt as we go.

 

Regarding the weather its just weather, and its just so happens that the long weekend is in September and not October. Thing is, with our small group, social ride structure, the weather isnt really such a concern. If it gets to the point where its unpleasant, we just cut the day short, go to the nearest cosy spot, have a coffee or some beers, and arrange the support crew to pick us up. If its lovely, we carry on riding, and sometimes ride longer than planned.

 

I think my comment about people obsessing over the numbers was misunderstood. The riding approx riding distances are provided, either on the itenerary, or on the post booking info. We will always give a basic indication of the distances and type of riding, and what kind of fitness level you need to enjoy the ride. But how many km you cover in a day is not and never will be a really important factor of our rides. 

 

I hear you regarding the Stanford Classic, some of the riding we do on this specific weekend is also done on the classic, but I assure you, there is a whole lot that isnt, and that is the best parts of  the ride. Also, you are sharing the routes and tracks with 6 or 8 other riders, most of whom you probalby already know, not with 3 to 6 hundred others, and there is no stop watch, no strict route rules, we can change the route on the day if we feel we need to, we stop where and when you want, as long as you want, and enjoy the local attractions along the way. We stop off at a restaurant half way and actually sit down and enjoy a light brunch etc. You really cant compare it to a mass participation event. Then again, if the mass participation stage race format does it for you, theres nothing wrong with that. 

 

I do believe, current economic conditions aside, the biggest problem is getting the local market to understand this type of mountain biking trip. 

[madmarc]

Its standard practice to invite cycling journos to events on a freebie to write a report.I did it many times and got free coverage and advertising

 

Yes i get that - but i'm looking at it from a reader / rider point of view - No disrespect to journos but an article written without favor from those who its about has more impact that that of one where favor was received.

[Kranswurm]

Yes i get that - but i'm looking at it from a reader / rider point of view - No disrespect to journos but an article written without favor from those who its about has more impact that that of one where favor was received.

So far...in my experience,the journos I have dealt with maintain their integrity and give a honest report on the event.In fact you have to take the good with the bad.We have also had reports which were highly critical of the event and we were taken to task on areas of poor performance

[Reme Le Hane]

4. Private roads .... we get to ride many of these when attending the Stanford Classic ride at the end of February ... 2 day stage event that is very affordable ... though the costs of accommodation actually brings it close to your prices ...

 

Hope you get the formula right.

Personally not heard anything good about that classic, few riders I know have said it was the most boring event possible, personally I entered once but life happened and I was never able to go.

 

They had no publicity available cancelation policy and I emailed them 3 times and they have still not responded, given them timing I had little to no expectation of getting money back, but the least they could have done was a polite “jammer van jou *** te hoor”, but no crickets, so eff em, I won’t even think of booking again.

[ChrisF]

Personally not heard anything good about that classic, few riders I know have said it was the most boring event possible, personally I entered once but life happened and I was never able to go.

 

They had no publicity available cancelation policy and I emailed them 3 times and they have still not responded, given them timing I had little to no expectation of getting money back, but the least they could have done was a polite “jammer van jou *** te hoor”, but no crickets, so eff em, I won’t even think of booking again.

I was there in February 2020. I gave my entry to a friend, due to my knees ...

 

Seeing the event from the side lines ... excellent vibe. Hoping to attend in 2021.

 

 

 

Pity your correspodence went unanswered.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Geez I’m not picking sides but It’s suggested Tboss invites a hubber to report on the quality and value proposition - he does that and then it gets picked apart

Hard to get a win in hubland

 

Personally hope to get a chance to join - I like the idea of being told where to go without 4500 other riders and I hate tents

[ChrisF]

Friday in Hubland ...

 

At least Taun may get a lot of airtime ....

[T_Boss]

Geez I’m not picking sides but It’s suggested Tboss invites a hubber to report on the quality and value proposition - he does that and then it gets picked apart

Hard to get a win in hubland

 

Personally hope to get a chance to join - I like the idea of being told where to go without 4500 other riders and I hate tents

 

Thanks Wayne - well the offer still stands, and beleive me, the irony of this was not lost on me.

[T_Boss]

Here is a link to the trip report for the Aug weekend

 

https://adventurelogistics.co.za/2020/09/25/cheese-and-wine-trip-report-aug-2020/

 

There is are still 4 places available for the October dates at only R1650.00 pp.