Stages races family weekend

[Theunissa]

Good day. I was wondering who takes the family with the camping gear to stage races and make it a fun weekend out of it. Even if they don't race themselves. Or is it to daunting and exhausting to raced that you just want to sleep after the races. Also are stages races family friendly

[dave303e]

For a race like Amohela in Clarens. There is no tented camp per say so everyone stays in Clarens. You can quite easily take the family along, race in the Morning and then spend the afternoon with family enjoying the town(brewery) or whatever. 

[ChrisF]

https://bikehub.co.za/events/races/view/292/trans-augrabies-2023

 

This event is truly a FAMILY event.

 

From the challets to the camping area.  Family from all over SA get together for 5 days.

 

Some enjoy a few bike rides.  Others join the hikes and other events on offer.

 

Seeing so many kids on bikes all over the park is nice 👍

[Skubarra]

6 hours ago, Theunissa said:

Good day. I was wondering who takes the family with the camping gear to stage races and make it a fun weekend out of it. Even if they don't race themselves. Or is it to daunting and exhausting to raced that you just want to sleep after the races. Also are stages races family friendly

Outside of the big name ones (like W2W, Sani2C and Epic) where it is probably not practical most stage races are very flexible when it comes to bringing the family along. For most they can sleep with you in the race village + you can also book meals for them and many have the option for people to do one of the stages as a single stage ride.

Trans-Augrabies (Chris mentioned above), Namaqua Quest, Ride the Karoo are races that jump to mind I did that catered very well for bringing the whole family along.

[ChrisF]

I do believe the Eselfontein weekend is also a family friendly weekend.

[babse]

I've done multiple stage races, even odd 1 day race (attakwas) with family staying in a nearby Airbnb. Mid-late morning finishes allow rest of the day to enjoy family time while being "away". 

Not always ideal with the extra admin and added stresses if you are setting up your own camp.

[Theunissa]

2 hours ago, Skubarra said:

Outside of the big name ones (like W2W, Sani2C and Epic) where it is probably not practical most stage races are very flexible when it comes to bringing the family along. For most they can sleep with you in the race village + you can also book meals for them and many have the option for people to do one of the stages as a single stage ride.

Trans-Augrabies (Chris mentioned above), Namaqua Quest, Ride the Karoo are races that jump to mind I did that catered very well for bringing the whole family along.

Thanks. Epic I will never pay that. For that money. I go up on Africa amd do a nice holiday. 

[Theunissa]

2 hours ago, babse said:

I've done multiple stage races, even odd 1 day race (attakwas) with family staying in a nearby Airbnb. Mid-late morning finishes allow rest of the day to enjoy family time while being "away". 

Not always ideal with the extra admin and added stresses if you are setting up your own you have a 

You have a very good point about Admin part

Setting up camp with kids is real work 

[Theunissa]

How tiring is a stage race vs for example a day race 

[Zebra]

13 hours ago, Theunissa said:

How tiring is a stage race vs for example a day race 

An 8-day stage race IS tiring, but very do-able, if fit, since you usually ride at the weaker (read slower) of the 2 riders; it’s the keeping HEALTHY/UNINJURED that is more impactful, for me anyway, than fatigue.

Backside health (saddle sores/soreness) even on a well setup bike, is often more of a problem than simple fatigue…on the 8-day races…

Epics (8 days) take way more ‘consciously riding’ within your limits, than say a relatively quicker 3-day Sani2C, or similar. The 3rd day, on a 3 day stage race, is often a half-distance affair, to allow people to travel back home, so really 2.5 days, very do-able without fatigue.

Tiring? Not so much, staying uninjured/‘healthy’, that for me is the self- management goal.

Cheers

Chris

Edited January 6, 2023 by Zebra

[Theunissa]

25 minutes ago, Zebra said:

An 8-day stage race IS tiring, but very do-able, if fit, since you usually ride at the weaker (read slower) of the 2 riders; it’s the keeping HEALTHY/UNINJURED that is more impactful, for me anyway, than fatigue.

Backside health (saddle sores/soreness) even on a well setup bike, is often more of a problem than simple fatigue…on the 8-day races…

Epics (8 days) take way more ‘consciously riding’ within your limits, than say a relatively quicker 3-day Sani2C, or similar. The 3rd day, on a 3 day stage race, is often a half-distance affair, to allow people to travel back home, so really 2.5 days, very do-able without fatigue.

Tiring? Not so much, staying uninjured/‘healthy’, that for me is the self- management goal.

Cheers

Chris

Makes sense my dad slipped an fell with last year sani2c broke femur in 2 places and it was close to the start. Race done you out. 8 days to much for me. I would only do 2 maybe 3 days. It's expensive and I'm not rolling in money. Will probably only do 1-2 per year and then 1 day races

[Skubarra]

15 hours ago, Theunissa said:

How tiring is a stage race vs for example a day race 

Depends on the race and your fitness... But typically you should be finished before lunch and have enough time & energy left in the afternoon to do some easy activities with the fam

[ChrisF]

On 1/5/2023 at 6:20 PM, Theunissa said:

How tiring is a stage race vs for example a day race 

 

With a day race it is easy to burn all your matches ... 

 

With a stage race it is finding that balance between catching that rider ahead of you vs keeping something in reserve for tomorrow.

 

The name of the game is "recovery".  For this you need to get your nutrition sorted, both during the ride and post ride recovery meal.

 

Obviously fitness ....

 

Getting your bumm used to repeated days in the saddle.

 

Experienced riders do this without really thinking about it anymore.  Newbies bonk untill they get it right.

 

 

 

Tip ... easy enough to eat and drink during practise rides.  Set the reminder on your cycling computer to help you remember during a race .... SO easy to get caught up in the ride and to forget the basics .....

[Theunissa]

6 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

With a day race it is easy to burn all your matches ... 

 

With a stage race it is finding that balance between catching that rider ahead of you vs keeping something in reserve for tomorrow.

 

The name of the game is "recovery".  For this you need to get your nutrition sorted, both during the ride and post ride recovery meal.

 

Obviously fitness ....

 

Getting your bumm used to repeated days in the saddle.

 

Experienced riders do this without really thinking about it anymore.  Newbies bonk untill they get it right.

 

 

 

Tip ... easy enough to eat and drink during practise rides.  Set the reminder on your cycling computer to help you remember during a race .... SO easy to get caught up in the ride and to forget the basics .....

Funny enough I don't eat during training. But always during race specifically due to the little stops. And oros hasbeen my govto fuel for alot of trailseeker races in the past. But this time round I'm getting a coach already spoke to someone that will work out a plan. I'm doing the shova, my first long distance race. And if funds look good I will do the berg&bush. But goo point about the reserve. Because yes I normally race till my legs give out on race. Just the type of person I am( very competitive) I will also start looking for a riding buddy. I'm trying to make a mini club where I stay because town is far

[ChrisF]

6 minutes ago, Theunissa said:

Funny enough I don't eat during training. But always during race specifically due to the little stops. And oros hasbeen my govto fuel for alot of trailseeker races in the past. But this time round I'm getting a coach already spoke to someone that will work out a plan. I'm doing the shova, my first long distance race. And if funds look good I will do the berg&bush. But goo point about the reserve. Because yes I normally race till my legs give out on race. Just the type of person I am( very competitive) I will also start looking for a riding buddy. I'm trying to make a mini club where I stay because town is far

 

I used to wing it ...

 

Training was okay, as it included coffee stops.  Could get something to eat on longer rides.

 

For less than 50km rides this was okay.  Once I started doing 80 to 100km rides my recovery took way too long.  No way I could do two consecutive long rides.

 

 

Wanting to do all three days of Trans Augrabies I got some pro advise.  It seems to be working very well.  Finished a 3 day 220km session this morning.  Feeling GOOD 👍👍  May just try a short ride tomorrow 😁

 

 

At Vines and Views I got caught up in the racing ... almost 2 hours later came close to bonking 🤦‍♂️. Simply forgot to eat and drink as per the schedule.  Now using the reminder on the cycling computer.

[Theunissa]

3 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

I used to wing it ...

 

Training was okay, as it included coffee stops.  Could get something to eat on longer rides.

 

For less than 50km rides this was okay.  Once I started doing 80 to 100km rides my recovery took way too long.  No way I could do two consecutive long rides.

 

 

Wanting to do all three days of Trans Augrabies I got some pro advise.  It seems to be working very well.  Finished a 3 day 220km session this morning.  Feeling GOOD 👍👍  May just try a short ride tomorrow 😁

 

 

At Vines and Views I got caught up in the racing ... almost 2 hours later came close to bonking 🤦‍♂️. Simply forgot to eat and drink as per the schedule.  Now using the reminder on the cycling computer that's my problem. I habe not done any race above 40/ 50km. But I will take heed of the tip. 

Some reason my message got mixed inside the quoted stuff. I  will definitely take it slow the. I will ontk do one stage berg and bush first of all goes well will look at others 

Edited January 7, 2023 by Theunissa