[Event] Trans Augrabies MTB - 2022 Challenge

[ChrisF]

On 6/20/2022 at 7:52 PM, DJuice said:

Die akkommodasie in die chalets is aan die duurkant, wat ek reken baie deelnemers beperk.

Daar is groot groep wat kamp!

 

Costs ....

Expectations ....

Event vibe ....

Event format .....

Logistics .....

 

2016 a friend did the W2W.  Turns out this was their annual get together of a group of varsity buddies.  For them, this was a party ride !  Riding together was nice.  Getting together in the tent afterwards was their main motivation.  By 2018 they were moaning about the increased entry fees ...

 

A totally different "event vibe" is something like Trans Baviaans.  Still reasonably priced.  But this is all about getting dropped off at one point and one long slog on the bike .... in some of the most amazing scenery.  Having had the privaledge of touring and camping in the area a few times I understand why people keep coming back.

 

Cape Epic .... clearly in a different price group.  For those that can enter it can be a brutal race, or a stunning endurance ride with some time to meet up with friends.

 

All these do have some logistical challenges for the riders.

 

 

Trans Augrabies.  Probably not fair to compare to any of these.  My thoughts on the different aspects:

- Logistics - VERY handy that you can park your vehicle the day before and start it up after the final race.  Everything is in walking distance in the Park.  And the "racing snakes" had their lead start, bike service area, massage tent.

 

- Price -  our TOTAL cost including fuel, accommodation and race entry was less than one entry for W2W.  If we camped, or stayed outside of the SANS Park we could have saved a bit.

 

- Event format - Doubt Trans Augrabies can be compared to any of the others.  NO CYCLING TRAILS !  Riding a combination of dirt roads, hiking routes and farm lands in this rugged landscape is a unique experience.

 

- Vibe - the "family vibe" worked for us.  Kids of all ages were riding their bikes, from push bikes to the big boys and girls, were riding all over.  Cars were idling along and giving way to cyclists.  The event tent vibe was good. 

 

 

My biggest challenge now .... how to up my recovery rate so that I can do all three rides next year.