[Event] Magalies Monster MTB

[Lenick Promotions]

Event Name: Magalies Monster MTB
When: 01/06/2024
Where: ATKV Buffelspoort, Lapologang, North West
Category: Mountain Bike

Are you ready for the 23rd Edition of the Magalies Monster MTB Challenge?

Magalies Monster MTB is one of South Africa's favorite mountain bike marathons and the 2024 edition on Saturday 1 June, promises to deliver another generous dose of challenges, rewards, and memorable experiences. It will treat mountain biking enthusiasts to a "real" MTB experience that is challenging yet rewarding. Featuring a good mixture of terrain, this is one of the most beautiful MTB routes in and around Gauteng and the North West Province

Go to Event Page.

[Croglet]

I've ridden a couple of Monsters which I've enjoyed but found to very challenging. Seems to have always had a reputation of being a tough race. 
This year looks a bit different though. 🤷‍♂️ 
The route used to be about 71km, with 1600m elevation and the Monster climb was 400m+ of climbing. 
This year it's only 62km, 1180m elevation and the Monster climb is just over 200m. 

I'm sure it will still be a good ride, especially if you haven't done one before, but why fiddle with the winning formula? 
 

Edited May 12 by Croglet

[avalanx]

@Croglet As far as I know the Breedsnek road conditions were deemed not fit for the race, which is a pity as I have been up on recently on a motorbike and its not bad at all.

[DanMan]

It's a new organizer and they did a poll on what the riders liked and disliked. Apparently, riders complained the rough and loose rocks/conditions damaged their bikes too much. 

I think with the numbers dwindling over the years they need make a change. Let's see, hopefully the new route is challenging enough but also enjoyable. 

[Mojoman]

46 minutes ago, DanMan said:

It's a new organizer and they did a poll on what the riders liked and disliked. Apparently, riders complained the rough and loose rocks/conditions damaged their bikes too much. 

I think with the numbers dwindling over the years they need make a change. Let's see, hopefully the new route is challenging enough but also enjoyable. 

Lol...Ive ridden it a few times on low end hard tails over the years...suffered no damage other than to my ass....
 

[DanMan]

3 minutes ago, Mojoman said:

Lol...Ive ridden it a few times on low end hard tails over the years...suffered no damage other than to my ass....
 

I tend to agree but if that is the reason majority of riders prefer to stay home then the organizer needs to listen. Let's hope they can get the race back to its former glory. 

[Spinnekop]

1 hour ago, Mojoman said:

Lol...Ive ridden it a few times on low end hard tails over the years...suffered no damage other than to my ass....
 

But therein lies a crux where the 80/20 rule comes to play........
If you as organiser cater for the 20% hardcore-I-can-ride-everything-the-rest-of-you-are-pussies riders then they will only attract 20% of the fees and the event will die a slow death.

No?

That is where I believe we need a GOVERNING AUTHORITY that can host RACES for the racers.  The hard core mountainbiker that doesn't care if a rock hits his bike and is not afraid to leave their family to fend for themselves when they have to eat through a straw in ICU.  
The rest of us can then partake in the vanilla stuff build for enjoyment and easy-going riding.

Is that not why, globally, there are XCO events that the hardcore boys do and then there are sportives that the rest do?
In SA the hardcore boys and the sportive rider both have to do the same event and not one of them are usually happy about it.  But seeing that private organisers are hosting and organising, the focus will always be driven by profit.  I.e. the more attendees, the more income.  So the question will always be what attracts 80% of the people.

My 2c

[Danger Dassie]

No reason both can't be catered to with a variation of the route. Honestly believe a trick has been missed here where MM could be placed as the 'Hell of the North' in correlation to the Attakwas's 'Hell of the South' ... the smaller/ easier routes could be a good promo base around these. 

[Croglet]

2 hours ago, Spinnekop said:

But therein lies a crux where the 80/20 rule comes to play........
If you as organiser cater for the 20% hardcore-I-can-ride-everything-the-rest-of-you-are-pussies riders then they will only attract 20% of the fees and the event will die a slow death.

No?

That is where I believe we need a GOVERNING AUTHORITY that can host RACES for the racers.  The hard core mountainbiker that doesn't care if a rock hits his bike and is not afraid to leave their family to fend for themselves when they have to eat through a straw in ICU.  
The rest of us can then partake in the vanilla stuff build for enjoyment and easy-going riding.

Is that not why, globally, there are XCO events that the hardcore boys do and then there are sportives that the rest do?
In SA the hardcore boys and the sportive rider both have to do the same event and not one of them are usually happy about it.  But seeing that private organisers are hosting and organising, the focus will always be driven by profit.  I.e. the more attendees, the more income.  So the question will always be what attracts 80% of the people.

My 2c

Fair point but isn't that what the half marathon is for? 
I certainly wouldn't consider myself a hardcore mtb guy. I rarely do races and MM has always been a big challenge for me, but that was the point. I considered it a bit different and a bit more of a feather in the cap to finish than most of the other races out there.

If it comes down to a poll or whatever the organizers feel will make them the most money that's fair enough, it's their event. 
I was just curious (and a bit disappointed too if I'm honest).    

[W@nted]

Maybe the numbers are dwindling because each year the route gets easier? Maybe they should just call it a gravel race, as it seems that is what the numbers prefer🫣

Edited May 23 by W@nted

[avalanx]

@W@nted hahaha totally agree, far too many "mountain bike" races are essentially a gravel route. the current state of Breedsnek makes for a moderate descent at best.

Perhaps the new route is better than we give it credit for, I will report back!

 

[W@nted]

I have fond memories of the MM during 2013-2017. It was a challenging event and well attended. I hope they can restore it to its previous status.

[JJDT]

This was the last proper monster...

[avalanx]

The route was quite tough for 62 kms and 1100m ascent, lots of thick sand and rocky climbs. In fact there were a lot of places where even the very front of the race had to get involved in some portage.

Although I haven't done the original, I wouldn't rate this route highly, it was awkward with poor markings. I think the organisers would do well to go back to the original route.

The scenery around Buffelspoort dam was great though!

[Koos Likkewaan 2]

Have to agree. I have done a couple of these, including the "when we" ones with the real monster climb.

This route was way worse. Don't let the shorter distance and less climbing fool you. This was tough !

That climb at the 38km mark was virtually unridable due to the thick sand, with other areas completely unridable.

Lastly, it was completely different than the profile and race route provided before the event. Made planning your ride imposable.

Edited June 2 by Koos Likkewaan 2

[Koos Likkewaan 2]

On 5/23/2024 at 10:21 AM, DanMan said:

It's a new organizer and they did a poll on what the riders liked and disliked. Apparently, riders complained the rough and loose rocks/conditions damaged their bikes too much. 

I think with the numbers dwindling over the years they need make a change. Let's see, hopefully the new route is challenging enough but also enjoyable. 

If this is true, they will have even less next year.