[Event] Eselfontein and Leatt MTB Festival

[Meezo]

22 minutes ago, wolver said:

2017 it was R1000 for a team (free camping) and there was prize money. That was too cheap!

Still one of the best races of the year, proper trails and lekker vibes. Bleak to be missing this year.

Even me

Won an entry to an extremely overpriced race at the end of the month... with tight finances ended committing to it instead.

Now just to shake this flu/chest infection 

 😪

[Old school]

*

Edited October 10, 2023 by Old school

[Morne Veer]

Another Eselfontein MTB event done, and dusted (pun intended). It remains much more than an event, it is a weekend away with family and friends, unlike most. Cooling off in the massive swimming pool after each stage, and chilling under the huge trees for hours on the farm, whilst laughing at your troubles back home.

I have it on good accord that the landowners invested more than R200 000 in getting the trails revived, after two severe floods recently. These are the things they do not boast or tell people about - they simply welcome you with open arms.

A massive shout out to Deon and Janene Malherbe, for yet again, dropping the mic when it comes to awesome (natural and rough) trails, backed up by fantastic support, gees and all round good times off the bike ! 

#eselsfontein

 

[Headshot]

Absolutely agree that this is a great event and still good value. Its just a sign of the times. Back when it was R900pp it felt like an absolute bargain. The increase over 6 years by over 100% is steep though when you think about it. 

[Jewbacca]

5 minutes ago, Headshot said:

Absolutely agree that this is a great event and still good value. Its just a sign of the times. Back when it was R900pp it felt like an absolute bargain. The increase over 6 years by over 100% is steep though when you think about it. 

I would suggest the massive increases in living/operational costs and the ridiculously low original figure makes this perfectly reasonable when you think about it.

[Skubarra]

Well I guess there is a lesson there - if an event that's on your bucket list is cheap, get in and do it as soon as possible, don't assume that it will be cheap forever. If the demand is there and the event is well run then most likely the entry fee will go up exponentially.

[ChrisF]

4 hours ago, Jewbacca said:

I would suggest the massive increases in living/operational costs and the ridiculously low original figure makes this perfectly reasonable when you think about it.

 

In our industry we are VERY careful of a "special price" to help somebody .... inevitably they come back for another job and INSIST on that "special price" .....

 

For what Eselfontein offers ,,,, even the 2023 rates are "more than reasonable".  Sadly any and all increases will be measured to the initial costs, which everybody knows were cheap !

 

 

O-well, we can only hope the event remains affordable going forward.  Heaven forbid it gets a cult following and follows the price model of a few other local 3 day events .....

[Esel]

We are not planning to up the rates for next year. Yes, we were too cheap in the past for the number of riders we got on the stage race to make the event sustainable.

[Sidekick Racer]

Fantastic event, awesome routes, post-ride atmosphere to make memories - will definitely be back! Honestly a bargain for the price IMO ❤️

[mrcg]

Guys, a loaf of bread has also increased by more than 100% over the last year's, in step with everything else. So in relation to that, the event is actually virtually the 'same' price, relatively speaking. So, still a bargain and one of the best events around, with awesome tracks and a fantastic night ride.

Bummed I missed this year, but will be back for next one for sure. Well done Eselfontein for keeping it real

[Stephan]

Fantastic event. Tough and technical trails, but fun to ride (just make sure you train enough beforehand....speaking to myself here ;-)). It was a great weekend away on the farm and a good vibe all around. Thanks Deon and Janene for another fun-filled Eselfontein weekend!   

[Meezo]

10 hours ago, mrcg said:

Guys, a loaf of bread has also increased by more than 100% over the last year's, in step with everything else. So in relation to that, the event is actually virtually the 'same' price, relatively speaking. So, still a bargain and one of the best events around, with awesome tracks and a fantastic night ride.

Bummed I missed this year, but will be back for next one for sure. Well done Eselfontein for keeping it real

you and me the same... 1st event i put in my calendar every year, with the witfontein enduro and if the stars align i'm there like a bear

[ChrisF]

4 hours ago, Stephan said:

Fantastic event. Tough and technical trails, but fun to ride (just make sure you train enough beforehand....speaking to myself here ;-)). It was a great weekend away on the farm and a good vibe all around. Thanks Deon and Janene for another fun-filled Eselfontein weekend!   

 

For sure .... those climbs deserve some respect 

 

Now if @KB280DT can get in some exercise, he can enjoy a nice weekend of CAMPING and CYCLING 

[Eselfontein]

We are excited about the proceeds we have made with the 2023 MTB Festival.

R170 000 – WE DIDN'T DO BADLY AT ALL for such a "little" Festival!

The proceeds we have made with the 2023 MTB Festival has already been given to the 5 Institutions (Schools and Old Age Homes) we support.

Each of the 5 institutions received R30 000

This year the number of participants was ± 100 less than last year, as were the "spectators" on the day. We are not yet full in numbers as we want to be, but there are some new options that we want to look at and decide on for next year.

2 things that is true for 2024:

1.       Entry Fees will stay the same

2.       We are bringing back the R30 000 prize money for the track record breakers – THIS MUST BE DONE AS A TEAM!

AGAIN, thank you so much for all of your contributions and help and support. Without all our supporters, this Festival for Charity would not have been possible.

Greetings and a Fantastic Festive Season to you all.

[Morne Veer]

You guys rock !!   Few people these days still doing events with the sole purpose of generating funds for charity.  Well done for keeping it real !!   (not saying for one second that other event organizers running another strategy should be frowned upon....not at all.  Just saying that it makes an already great event just that much better still, knowing that your each drop of sweat makes a difference back in the communities.  

See you again in 2024 !!

[babse]

38 minutes ago, Eselfontein said:

We are excited about the proceeds we have made with the 2023 MTB Festival.

R170 000 – WE DIDN'T DO BADLY AT ALL for such a "little" Festival!

The proceeds we have made with the 2023 MTB Festival has already been given to the 5 Institutions (Schools and Old Age Homes) we support.

Each of the 5 institutions received R30 000

This year the number of participants was ± 100 less than last year, as were the "spectators" on the day. We are not yet full in numbers as we want to be, but there are some new options that we want to look at and decide on for next year.

2 things that is true for 2024:

1.       Entry Fees will stay the same

2.       We are bringing back the R30 000 prize money for the track record breakers – THIS MUST BE DONE AS A TEAM!

AGAIN, thank you so much for all of your contributions and help and support. Without all our supporters, this Festival for Charity would not have been possible.

Greetings and a Fantastic Festive Season to you all.

Respect!