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I've been having a long running conversation in my head this last few weeks about an idea for a off-road/MTB/whatever race/event/whatever and I'm trying to formalize some ideas about what it should be.
I've noticed a few threads on here recently (rigid bikes, the helmet ones for some reason, the new Chris Akrigg one, plus others) that all seem to be adding to it and wondered if there might be some legs in it.
I've always thought the format of multi-day motorcycle trials like the SSDT and ISDT plus older enduro events looked good, especially when riders have to ride between sections on far from ideal bikes.
It wouldn't be a trials event, though there could be a section or sections, involving very technical climbing, similar to some of the content of the last Akrigg film.
Add in a technical downhill or two, maybe road and gravel/fireroad sections and more.
The general idea being that no one particular type of bike would give you an overall advantage; you may be in your element for one or two parts, but on others, you'll be at a disadvantage.
You would have to use the same bike for all of it and you would get points for each section, aiming to be the most average rider.
Maybe add in some mystery-tour orienteering or Audax-type checkpoints too.
I'm not sure if anything like this exists at the moment; weren't old MTB events run along similar lines?
I think the optimum length would be a long day, maybe 8-10 hours, rather than multi-day, but I do think it could work at a grass roots level, without too much focus on racing.
May be marshall heavy at some points though.
Like the title said, this is all rather incoherent and rambling, I just needed to get it out of my head!
aiming to be the most average rider.
This is a goal I can aspire to 😉
It actually sounds like it could be a great deal of fun though. Nobody has an overall advantage which would be interesting. I’d be up for having a go at something like that.
Akrigg would turn up and win it on his 'BSO', I'd have thought. Although apparently he can only ride in short bursts, or something.
Sounds like fun, bit like the Singletrack Weekender thing but as part of a proper ride.
Yeah the fastest guys I know don't respect type of bike 😉 a mate runs a few mixed events in the end of the day bei g able to pedal harder uphill gets your more of an advantage than just about anything else.
It wouldn’t be a trials event, though there could be a section or sections, involving very technical climbing, similar to some of the content of the last Akrigg film.
Can I just say, a demanding technical section could also be flat 😉
You also have to make sure that demanding climb isn't faster running too
You appear to have invented the singletrack weekender...
Can I just say, a demanding technical section could also be flat
I think the idea with that was that someone with trials experience would be able to clear the section easier, but still keeping it at a level where others could have a go. Even someone on a CX bike might get part-way or even all the way, but may find running it a lot easier, however forfeiting the points. That would then mean it would have to be marshalled though........
You appear to have invented the singletrack weekender…
That's embarrassing! In all the years I've been reading it, I never took much notice of this, as I just assumed it wouldn't be for me.
Also, a couple of other ideas;
1. Individuals or pairs?
2. No support. You have to be able to fix your bike, but also with the caveat that if you see someone in trouble, you HAVE to help them...... maybe to the point of becoming a pair to get both of you finished (thereby the fastest rider and the slowest rider become an average rider or something?)
3. Camping at the end? If so, you have to carry all your gear with you.......maybe not
Like the title said, it is all rather vague and incoherent. I think I may need to sit down with a pencil and paper and write it all down formally, maybe with a couple of drawings for good measure.
It's all academic anyway, as I've no idea how I would even go about starting one, with insurance and all that other stuff.