Amashova reaction

[Grebel]

Hi,

 

I was wondering what the general reaction was to the race registration setup for the Amashova at the Moses Mabida stadium? I went down after work on Friday to pick up my race pack and was very disappointed with what I saw. Firstly the "route" to registration wasn't clearly marked (either that or I missed a whole lot of signs!) I parked at the outside parking and walked down the grass to find a few people that looked like cyclists aimlessly walking around looking for the registration area. We eventually found somebody with a MTN tag around their neck and asked them.

 

When we arrived at the underground parking area we found a taped off area with a few "stalls" selling a few arb things. I think that there were about three stands that had cycling related items and the rest were handing out pamphlets.

 

Once we made our way through to the race number pick up area we were handed MTN bags that contained a race number envelope and a pair of socks (regardless of whether you entered for the 106km or the 38km you got the same goodie bag)

 

I know that it isn't all about the goodie bag and maybe I have been spoilt by the local KZN MTB races and their organisation and the goodie bags, but surely a race that is among the top three races (i.e. Argus, 94.7 & Amashova) in the country should offer a bit more? By that I mean vendors with stalls, a purpose built area for registration / expo as well as sponsors handing out samples in the goodie bags.

 

What are your thoughts?

Edited October 18, 2010 by Grebel

[cosborne]

Grebel I have come round to the mode of thinking that a goodie bag is a bonus. I tell myself we pay for road closure and should expect nothing more. Some fat cats are making huge money. I go for the race, not the goodie bag, so I suppose it's not the end of the world. It can be frustrating but the days of receiving energy bars and lekker socks are gone. "We pay for safety" - just tell yourself that.

[Grebel]

Hey cosborne,

 

I understand that the road closure cost money and the organisation is costly as well, but if you look at last year, there were loads more vendors selling their goods at the expo compared to this year. Last year the registration area was at Suncoast and a whole lot more upmarket than this current venue. It just seems that they are on a down wards slide. If you compare the MTB scene, they get a fraction of the number of entries but they try to outdo the previous year and make it better. I haven't had the privilege of doing the Argus or the 94.7 (Just got into the road scene to help with the MTB fitness) but the Amashova seems to be going the wrong way!

 

Just my humble opinion.

[doris]

you had something in your goodei bag ? By Saturday afternoon it was a just a bag and I mean just a bag

[cosborne]

Grebel it's my 3rd shova and it has gotten worse. There have been many debates on the hub about goodie bags. If the mtb races are getting it right then they will attract more riders and road riding will slowly deminish in numbers (well it has already- just look at what your LBS stocks, here in Durban we have no road bikes). Good on the mtb guys, hopefully the road race organisers will look at dropping numbers and do something about it in the future.

[Mavric Man]

Grebel - in response to your first post, I was also a little taken back by the registration setup and was expecting more, signage was poor and stalls pathetic, but like Cosborne I concerntrate on race day so not to phased. After all the emails I got from the organisers throughout the year I was expecting more at registration - I am not a MTB'er but they seem to be more jacked.

[Grebel]

I agree that it is ultimately about race day and beating the time that you set for your self. All I am saying is that with all the correspondance during the year via email and the adverts on TV there should have been more at registration. It isn't about the goodie bag but more about the experience. Having just got into the road riding scene (notice I didn't say road racing... ) and having been spoilt by the mtb guys, I was expecting more. A lot of roadies that do their first mtb race are impressed and it doesn't seem to work the other way around. Perhaps any road race organiser who might read this will take note and make an effort. I believe that the 94.7 is an awesome experience so why can't the others follow suit?

[Sarge]

Hi fellow Amashova riders,

I was also disappointed with the registration / finish setup. There appeared to be a lot of confusion and the expectation of an expo was mis-leading.

On the positive side the entry was spot on and for the first time in the last two years I was seeded correctly and my entry had not been lost. The start was also great and the route well organised.

Regards

Sarge

[Carbon_Kooi]

Also no socks for me....now I have to walk barefeet till the 94.7

[Wobbles]

I live in PMB and to travel 200km for a paper number is ludicrous!! The only registration worth its salt is Argus. Ama and Tour Durban should just post your number. At least Ama did not give us 6 month old mags to try and "fill" the bag!!

[mojopup]

I loved the new finish. My only issue was that there was no direction to medals etc. It was get a drink and fend for yourself. I also liked the fact that we got a medal and cap. And, they even gave me a medal and cap for a friend who had fallen in the race and was sitting at hospital.

[canfan]

I stayed in PMB and had to drive 200km for a yellow bag and my number. Yip the expo was more like a small display, not an expo!

Edited October 20, 2010 by canfan

[Wil6]

you had something in your goodei bag ? By Saturday afternoon it was a just a bag and I mean just a bag

Same here,just a bag,and I mean just a bag!

Registration was a let down,thought I was going to spend allot of money on unneeded equipment and cycling goodies so I guess I saved money in that area!The race numbers was pathetic.

Take the OFM classic in Bloem,you pay less for riding the event and I promise you that the whole pre event stuff will be allot better,I hope.

But all and all I really enjoyed the route and had tons of fun riding it!

[Seandmerida96]

I Agree, you cannot pay R240 bucks entry (The same entry as 94.7) and just get a a pair of socks !!! This was my 5th ride and the incentives just keep getting smaller! I would suggest to the organisers that they get sorted or else this race will fade to mediocrity. You want to be seen in the same light as Argus and 94.7 you gotta provide the same service. I spent hour at the expo at both of those races in the past.

[Bbox]

SOCKS? What socks? I got an empty bag, which I gave back. I was planning on getting two new water bottles at the "expo"...... nothing, nada! Even Chester Williams looked out of place.... Big disappointment! This race is fading away slowly but surely.

[Starvin' Marvin]

The race is not about the goodie bag. When I heard that the registration was at Moses Mabidha I got all kinds of excited, you get to see a world cup stadium up close and personal. So I drive all the way from EL get all excited about seeing the stadium. And where is the registration? In an underground parking lot, epic fail!!!!!!! There were no signs indicating the way to registration. And worst of all there was a bloody power balance stall!!!