Grading trails ...

[leeu52]

Personally I think the grading issue will just cloud matter more. It was mentioned that much of the downhill at vG was a black grade, I disagree the route was a red. So already there is an issue as to grading.

 

Using climbing as an anology is a bad one, there something like three different grading systems in climbing, depending on if you do sport, trad, bouldering, ice climbing, multi-pitch etc etc .... There, often climbers even disagree on the application of a grade.

 

As we have it, races use the standard signage of arrows for descents, with three being the most advanced.

van Gaalen had topographical data and maps loaded before the event, also the area is known as being technical and rough. If someone is not sure of the levels required to complete, they should research a bit and make sure, there is more than enough info out there.

The ultimate responsibility is down to individual to be sure they are able as well as willing, no grading system will be able to take place of that.

[leeu52]

Personally I think the grading issue will just cloud matter more. It was mentioned that much of the downhill at vG was a black grade, I disagree the route was a red. So already there is an issue as to grading.

 

Using climbing as an anology is a bad one, there something like three different grading systems in climbing, depending on if you do sport, trad, bouldering, ice climbing, multi-pitch etc etc .... There, often climbers even disagree on the application of a grade.

 

As we have it, races use the standard signage of arrows for descents, with three being the most advanced.

van Gaalen had topographical data and maps loaded before the event, also the area is known as being technical and rough. If someone is not sure of the levels required to complete, they should research a bit and make sure, there is more than enough info out there.

The ultimate responsibility is down to individual to be sure they are able as well as willing, no grading system will be able to take place of that.

[leeu52]

Personally I think the grading issue will just cloud matter more. It was mentioned that much of the downhill at vG was a black grade, I disagree the route was a red. So already there is an issue as to grading.

 

Using climbing as an anology is a bad one, there something like three different grading systems in climbing, depending on if you do sport, trad, bouldering, ice climbing, multi-pitch etc etc .... There, often climbers even disagree on the application of a grade.

 

As we have it, races use the standard signage of arrows for descents, with three being the most advanced.

van Gaalen had topographical data and maps loaded before the event, also the area is known as being technical and rough. If someone is not sure of the levels required to complete, they should research a bit and make sure, there is more than enough info out there.

The ultimate responsibility is down to individual to be sure they are able as well as willing, no grading system will be able to take place of that.

[kosmonooit]

What really bothers me here is the macho devil-may-care not-for-pooftas attitude that seems to come from the boerseuns of FPC mtb scene. Stuff the rest of us, the paying public, we must must just afkuk n betaal on routes that they do just for their own pleasure? Its like the DJ who just plays for himself. Think I will give all the future FPC events a big miss.

 

I been riding mtb events for a long time, I do it for pleasure, I like a good distance, and I like a bit of a technical challenge, my skills and endurance are always improving, but wont be going any place north of mid-level, at least in this life time. I am in awe of those that can float down the rocky hills. Most often I can case out when I need to walk a technical section but sometimes, all of sudden, the path gets hectic, you loose confidence, and stopping on descents is the problem, that's when one cartwheels if you don't get it 100% right. So in preparing for the event would be useful to know what you are in for instead of wildly subjective piece-of-piss or gates-of-hell depending on your own frame of reference.

 

Thinking of a few rides I have done this year with great downhills (for me): last section of Lion Man (70 K's) and Giants Castle Challenge. Both were jeep track, with some obstacles, mildly challenging but I rode down them, and that was pleasure all the way. Same for all the downhill single track of the Hilton 50, Kynsa Oyster but those tended to be sharp and sweeter, but thought and care were put into both of those. What we had at had at Nissan van Gaalens was nasty steep descents with loose sandy rocks and boulders required top skills (1st section) and later narrow steep with loose rocks and sand (basically just cleared track from rocky hillside, rocks mostly still there) hectic at parts but difficult when you are stop and starting the whole time. Not very naaice thank you. It's the same terrain you find on steep 4x4 tracks with loose rocks and stones churned up. Hate 'em.

 

Those existing trials grading system have enough resolution? Seem a bit vague to me in this regard. We need more numbers at the top end. And numbers would be useful, rather than symbols or colours.

 

My suggestion is that is dealt with in a constructive way that make the events more enjoyable to its (paying) participants, at least they should put out a few warnings at the riders briefing. And that would be more meaningful if there was a grading system used. Point made. Off to nurse my battered and bruise shoulder, cracked ribs, bruised thigh and knee and dinged head LOL.

[leeu52]

Our family of 4 are all beginners.

We ALL received SMS's and e-mails to enter Van Gaalens.

Too much trouble to mention "Not for beginners"

[covie]

"Bring your family along and make them all experience the excitement of mountain biking!"

This would be appropriate for Babbas/Northern Farm/Groenkloof where us "family-types" hang out.

 

Unfortunately it was used for Cullinan Diamond Rush. So me and others ended up in hospital.

 

This thread is meant for the family-social-weekender-appie cyclist community NOT for the experienced, dedicated, skillful, cyclists, so please consider our concerns.

 

Our entry fees entitle us to act like idiots, clog the bottle necks and totally ruin your fun!

 

Oh your going to be fun on the hub, and yes everyone has the right to use any trail from the pro's to the weekend warriors.

 

When i started riding i chose trails as graded by this site http://www.mtbroutes.co.za/ sure its an opinionated system, but so far i found them mostly accurate.

[leeu52]

What really bothers me here is the macho devil-may-care not-for-pooftas attitude that seems to come from the boerseuns of FPC mtb scene. Stuff the rest of us, the paying public, we must must just afkuk n betaal on routes that they do just for their own pleasure? Its like the DJ who just plays for himself. Think I will give all the future FPC events a big miss.

 

I been riding mtb events for a long time, I do it for pleasure, I like a good distance, and I like a bit of a technical challenge, my skills and endurance are always improving, but wont be going any place north of mid-level, at least in this life time. I am in awe of those that can float down the rocky hills. Most often I can case out when I need to walk a technical section but sometimes, all of sudden, the path gets hectic, you loose confidence, and stopping on descents is the problem, that's when one cartwheels if you don't get it 100% right. So in preparing for the event would be useful to know what you are in for instead of wildly subjective piece-of-piss or gates-of-hell depending on your own frame of reference.

 

Thinking of a few rides I have done this year with great downhills (for me): last section of Lion Man (70 K's) and Giants Castle Challenge. Both were jeep track, with some obstacles, mildly challenging but I rode down them, and that was pleasure all the way. Same for all the downhill single track of the Hilton 50, Kynsa Oyster but those tended to be sharp and sweeter, but thought and care were put into both of those. What we had at had at Nissan van Gaalens was nasty steep descents with loose sandy rocks and boulders required top skills (1st section) and later narrow steep with loose rocks and sand (basically just cleared track from rocky hillside, rocks mostly still there) hectic at parts but difficult when you are stop and starting the whole time. Not very naaice thank you. It's the same terrain you find on steep 4x4 tracks with loose rocks and stones churned up. Hate 'em.

 

Those existing trials grading system have enough resolution? Seem a bit vague to me in this regard. We need more numbers at the top end. And numbers would be useful, rather than symbols or colours.

 

My suggestion is that is dealt with in a constructive way that make the events more enjoyable to its (paying) participants, at least they should put out a few warnings at the riders briefing. And that would be more meaningful if there was a grading system used. Point made. Off to nurse my battered and bruise shoulder, cracked ribs, bruised thigh and knee and dinged head LOL.

[leeu52]

THANK YOU!!

[Danger Dassie]

Is this about grading in general or about van Gaalen and the Nissan Series?

Because the incredibly snipey comments about the boereseun FPC crowd contradict the remarks later made about being constructive.

There are in all likelihood as many of us who also paid, who are also riding at mid level, who enjoyed the event and understand the need for events like these.

On the topic of grading, remember there is a difference between a trail for general riding than when it is going to be used for racing.

[The expat cyclist]

Let's cater for all. Let's make the routes easy. Lets flatten out the bumps...Shoot, lets tar the place up...Lets be roadies...

 

You see, if the organisers start grading events, people are going to start giving events a skip based on grading. Then 2 things will happen:

1. Events won't be challenging enough and thus it will look like MTB'rs are all just super fast and tough.

2. MTB'rs won't improof their skills and as soon as they hit a little rock in the road, they dismount and walk it!!!!

 

What gets to me is that the whiners...are all men!!!

 

My wife did the 40km...She fell 3 times. She had thorns in her fingers, she has multiple bruises and she even shed some blood...She finished in 2:47...And no, she hasn't been cycling for 100 years...She has only been cycling for 2 years!

 

SHE DID NOT WHINE ONCE!!! 4 vark steaks - stop whining you pansies!!!

[Tumbleweed]

Let's cater for all. Let's make the routes easy. Lets flatten out the bumps...Shoot, lets tar the place up...

 

I seem to remember Wendell posting something like that about a year ago when peeps were complaining about the 24-hour route.

Edited November 15, 2010 by Tumbleweed

[DJR]

The K.I.S.S. principle should apply to any possible rating system for MTB races:

 

1) For BEGINNERS

2) For INTERMEDIATE riders

3) For EXPERIENCED riders

4) By INVITATION ONLY

 

If the organizer knows his mountainbiking he will get these definitions right and make it clear in the route discriptions. No need for complicated judging and computing power, just COMMON SENSE, something (often) lacking both from participants and (sometimes) organizers.

 

Take MEURANT BOTHA of DIRTOPIA and AMARIDER as an example of someone who GETS IT RIGHT. Their event descriptions make it clear what fitnes and skill levels are needed and if last minute weather (rain, mud or heat) interferes, they change routes or cut off times and make rider safety the priority. Although they have had their fair share of critisizm, I've personally never seen that his outfit got it wrong, perhaps Meurant can give an opinion? Does someone know how to get his attention?

 

I think that over-regulating anything deminishes the freedom and that can only detract from the ride and that already some MTB races are starting to feel too controlled. Perhaps that's why lately more and more JUST RIDE events have become so popular as opposed to MTB RACES ?

 

One last thought, a lot of riders, even very fit longer distance guys, need to brush up on their TECHNICAL SKILLS. Too many train like roadies and then show a serious lack of basic skills on even mildly challenging terrain.

[Andyr249]

Let's cater for all. Let's make the routes easy. Lets flatten out the bumps...Shoot, lets tar the place up...Lets be roadies...

 

You see, if the organisers start grading events, people are going to start giving events a skip based on grading. Then 2 things will happen:

1. Events won't be challenging enough and thus it will look like MTB'rs are all just super fast and tough.

2. MTB'rs won't improof their skills and as soon as they hit a little rock in the road, they dismount and walk it!!!!

 

What gets to me is that the whiners...are all men!!!

 

My wife did the 40km...She fell 3 times. She had thorns in her fingers, she has multiple bruises and she even shed some blood...She finished in 2:47...And no, she hasn't been cycling for 100 years...She has only been cycling for 2 years!

 

SHE DID NOT WHINE ONCE!!! 4 vark steaks - stop whining you pansies!!!

 

Why bring roadies into it? Roadies had nothing to do with a little Van Gaalens MTB race. We are all cyclists, whether we ride roadie, mtb or whatever!