How To Start an Event

[Zebra]

Have been part of planning for a 1-day event before (Audi/Club 100 40km TT), lots of planning, but it was worth-while, so keep positive! 

Some fun names to consider, to help ‘Sell the Sizzle…’ whilst you shop the idea around, for your forthcoming race:

The Makadas Express…

The Gravel Express…

Race the Line…

Steel, Gravel & Sky!
 

(ok, they may be a bit lame, but you get the idea; create a ‘hook’ to hang your idea on, good luck!)

Chris

[Shebeen]

On 1/30/2025 at 2:14 PM, Anthony MTB said:

The idea i have is to make a race along the old makadas railway line between Laingsburg and ladismith in th Klein Karoo. If you did the whole line it would have to be a 2 day stage race but i was thinking to start a 1 day would be best.

The first person to speak to is Mitzi, she goes under a different handle here.

She named her race/adventure company https://makadasadventures.co.za/ to do this exact concept about ~15 years ago.

If you don't know who she is, you haven't done enough homework yet.

If you do know, then I have a lot more questions!

[Anthony MTB]

On 2/1/2025 at 7:15 PM, Shebeen said:

The first person to speak to is Mitzi, she goes under a different handle here.

She named her race/adventure company https://makadasadventures.co.za/ to do this exact concept about ~15 years ago.

If you don't know who she is, you haven't done enough homework yet.

If you do know, then I have a lot more questions!

I didn't actually know about her. I'd heard of Makadas Adventures but didn't know who or what it was. I did hear somebody else tried it a few years back though, but it didn't get off the ground. Thanks for the tip!

[Shebeen]

2 hours ago, Anthony MTB said:

I didn't actually know about her. I'd heard of Makadas Adventures but didn't know who or what it was. I did hear somebody else tried it a few years back though, but it didn't get off the ground. Thanks for the tip!

Awesome. from what I remember it has been a long time since the Lainsgburg flood and the karoo bossies took back the route quite aggressively. @knippie will be able to tell you all that and more.

 

if you get it off the ground, I'd be keen to come do it.

 

[knippie]

Hello Shebeen, would be lovely to chat about your idea.  Yes it was my intention many moons ago to do that specific "ride" BUT there are more than one obstacle in the way.  I even wanted to use it for slack-packing...

Overgrown routes can be opened but all that is left of the line is a heap of small rocks, that isn't even comfortable enough walking never mind cycling.

I will send you my contact details if you wanna chat

[Anthony MTB]

1 hour ago, knippie said:

Hello Shebeen, would be lovely to chat about your idea.  Yes it was my intention many moons ago to do that specific "ride" BUT there are more than one obstacle in the way.  I even wanted to use it for slack-packing...

Overgrown routes can be opened but all that is left of the line is a heap of small rocks, that isn't even comfortable enough walking never mind cycling.

I will send you my contact details if you wanna chat

Thanks that would be nice! Do you know the route quite well? I only know the route thats around Ladismith but as far as I know, although much of the route is damaged and unrideable, there are some sections which are still good. The idea would be to ride the route when possible and ride the roads when not. Seeing as there's no good road between Tous Rivier and Ladismith the idea would be to start and finish in Ladismith in the beggining, and then later maybe from Touws Rivier to Ladismith.

Edited February 3 by Anthony MTB

[ChrisF]

40 minutes ago, Anthony MTB said:

Thanks that would be nice! Do you know the route quite well? I only know the route thats around Ladismith but as far as I know, although much of the route is damaged and unrideable, there are some sections which are still good. The idea would be to ride the route when possible and ride the roads when not. Seeing as there's no good road between Tous Rivier and Ladismith the idea would be to start and finish in Ladismith in the beggining, and then later maybe from Touws Rivier to Ladismith.

 

Repeating what was said by others.

 

Just be super cautious about where these routes pass private farm lands !!

 

We did many of the roads and routes by 4x4, following a Tracks-4-Africa route.

 

Coming out from the dam (other side of the koppies) the farmer was waiting for us .... PRIVATE FARM !!  Forget the fact that there was no sign on the gate ....  Turns out he has been having hassles with poachers ....

 

You really need to know a few of the farmers, then work from there.  They phone the next farm and then you have an opportunity.

[Anthony MTB]

Yesth

3 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

Repeating what was said by others.

 

Just be super cautious about where these routes pass private farm lands !!

 

We did many of the roads and routes by 4x4, following a Tracks-4-Africa route.

 

Coming out from the dam (other side of the koppies) the farmer was waiting for us .... PRIVATE FARM !!  Forget the fact that there was no sign on the gate ....  Turns out he has been having hassles with poachers ....

 

You really need to know a few of the farmers, then work from there.  They phone the next farm and then you have an opportunity.

Yes, I was planning on working it like that. I was going to get permission from all the landowners and just hope no one says no😅

[ChrisF]

46 minutes ago, Anthony MTB said:

Yesth

Yes, I was planning on working it like that. I was going to get permission from all the landowners and just hope no one says no😅

 

Stap EEN .... praat AFRIKAANS.

 

[Anthony MTB]

4 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

Stap EEN .... praat AFRIKAANS.

 

Yeah that's important. Doesn't help that my afrikaans isn't so good😂

[knippie]

Hi Anthony. I have sent you a chat message.  I am open to share what we have explored as well as landowners contact details.  Many of these roads that used to be access roads has been locked in and these landowners do not want people through not event small groups (4 riders or so) once in a blue moon.