I find the same for DH racing on TV too though - mtbs on TV just look crap and slow.
Bike Forum
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Olympic mountain biking...
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Posted 1 year ago #
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my understanding is that other London entric venues were suggested but turned down
Indeed, Swinley Forest was being touted, but as they're building a course from scratch, what's wrong with Hadleigh? They can do exactly what they want that way. Plus all the others had various issues you can choose to believe or not!
I imagine they do care, it's one of the reasons that DH mtb or 4x aren't on, they are far more TV friendly but don't fit the criterea (and would have been a good medal chance for GB)
Alright don't care is a bit strong, but what I mean is that they're not going to 'bend the rules' and locate the MTBing at Dalby, when it's such a 'minority' sport.
course design is course design, south wales doesn't mean 30 min laps into nowhere
But if you're not making the most of the large hills there, why have it there? Look at Margam Park as an XC venue, it's a very lonely lap, you never see a single spectator on the course, it'd be rubbish for an Olympic race!
Posted 1 year ago # -
I think that looks good. You'd need a good bit of skill to get a speed advantage on there. Just cos it's not rocky doesn't mean it's not technical. After all, their challenge is not just to get down it, it's to get down it shaving off as many milliseconds as they can.
Like Formula 1. Very technical, but the circuit's completely smooth.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Like Formula 1. Very technical, but the circuit's completely smooth.
and also terminally dull apart from the 1st corner and a few overtaking movesthe ioc may well look down on mtbing id just like for the uci to have pushed for an 'extreme' venue to promote the sport
but mediocrity, compromise and a brief comfortable chauffeur drive for the olympic execs are obviously the deciding factor here
wrc also held in places like wales manage just fine with tv coverage
Posted 1 year ago # -
Like Formula 1. Very technical, but the circuit's completely smooth.
and also terminally dull apart from the 1st corner and a few overtaking movesAlright then, touring cars, superbikes, stock car racing, whatever - they're all done on smooth tracks. My point is rocks isn't the same thing as technical.
Just because the trail is smooth DOES NOT mean the race will be rubbish. In fact, it probably means the race will be better since the racers will be closer and there'll be more overtaking and jostling. The most fun races I've done were definitely the flat ones, and NOT the ones with the most interesting trails.
Having someone breathing down my neck for an hour was far more exhilerating than riding some technical descent - I can do that any time I like.
Posted 1 year ago # -
wrc also held in places like wales manage just fine with tv coverage
That's a ridiculous analogy, firstly the WRC is like a time trial, rather than a bunch race. They're also going slightly faster so get between remote points rather more rapidly.
They're obviously only just starting to build it, sure it'll get far more technical than that, they've gotta start somewhere!
Also worth noting is that places that are fun to ride are rarely fun to race. Among the worst race courses I've ever done are Cwmcarn and Coed Y Brenin, which are both great places to ride. Afan falls very firmly into that camp too.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The most fun races I've done were definitely the flat ones, and NOT the ones with the most interesting trails.
But It's called mountain biking!
I agree with BnD on this one...
Posted 1 year ago # -
As it says, there's more elevation than Beijing. I can't wait personally!
Posted 1 year ago # -
But It's called mountain biking!
So? It's not always done on mountains is it?
And it's only called that in English too.
If they have an open test event, I'm there
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yes I thought that, I'll go along!
Posted 1 year ago # -
I like 'em smooth and fast.
Posted 1 year ago # -
well the most exciting race ive ever done was the megavalanche, also the most interesting to watch (by a cross country mile)
ive only ever raced xc at thetford, it wasnt very exciting
Posted 1 year ago # -
You get very different racing at flat venues, it's much closer, more like road racing, for better or worse. It can be good, there's often a lot riding on it, one small cock up and you can lose 'the group'. It does rely on being fit I find, I don't think the flat courses are as fun if you're not able to ride the whole thing flat out.
I suggest you try and XC venue with some elevation though, it can be rather good fun. Or perhaps you should do Margam Park, then you can see why it wouldn't work for an Olympic event.
Posted 1 year ago # -
You can call a turd chocolate, but it's still a turd and I ain't going to eat it. (To paraphrase another thread)
It may be an Olympic course, but that's not mountainbiking.
Posted 1 year ago # -
XC racing is only interesting if you are battling it out with someone. Otherwise it's dull. You have to be in the thick of the racing. The only one I did reasonably well in was the best fun I've ever had at an event, because it was neck and neck all the way between me and two other guys and I was doing singletrack flat out the whole time.
That happens much more at flat events. But flat or hilly, if you're way back out on your own it's rubbish.
But any XC is not all comparable to the Megavalanche is it?
It may be an Olympic course, but that's not mountainbiking.
Rubbishing something based on your own personal definitions of the word is a bit silly. Would it help if the event was called 'off road biking'?
Posted 1 year ago # -
That looks embarassing in comparison the World Champs course in Canada.
There were some fantastic sections on that course including a really challening rocky descent that saw some of the riders actually tackle it by foot.
I hope the course looks worse than it really is....
Posted 1 year ago # -
molgrips - Member...Rubbishing something based on your own personal definitions of the word is a bit silly. Would it help if the event was called 'off road biking'?
Absolutely.BTW I didn't define the word mountain - it already has meaning.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Out of interest, how many of you rubbishers actually race XC? And how many are any good?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Regularly do 24 hour races and the like though. Too old and infirm to be any good now, but qualified for the World Solo 24 Hour Race.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Course is going to be shown on look east in a moment apparently
Posted 1 year ago # -
24 hour racing is pretty different. I think XC should have more actual racing and not just riding.
epicyclo - so you are saying that because we use the word mountain biking, you are not allowed to ride bikes unless it is on a mountain? That is very silly
Posted 1 year ago # -
retro83 - Member
Course is going to be shown on look east in a moment apparentlyPOSTED 8 MINUTES AGO # EDIT
The riders seemed to be enjoying it, looked better than it does in pics.
Posted 1 year ago # -
molgrips - Member
...epicyclo - so you are saying that because we use the word mountain biking, you are not allowed to ride bikes unless it is on a mountain? That is very sillyNo, what is silly is calling 'off road biking' mountain biking. Ride what you like, where you like, but try to understand a hillock is not a mountain.
I'm interested that you think 24 hour racing is just riding - I'll leave that to faster men than me to discuss
Posted 1 year ago # -
24 hour racing is racing from a distance. As in, you know your target is 20 mins ahead or whatever. You might not even see him on the trails if you pass. You might let him get a 2 hour lead but plan to reel him in later.
In XC racing you could be going hell for leather as fast as you can move whilst being tyre to tyre with the chap in front for an hour. Like I said, different kind of racing.
No, what is silly is calling 'off road biking' mountain biking
It's just a name, it's what we use, WGAF if it's not technically accurate. Are you Barnes in disguise?
but try to understand a hillock is not a mountain.
Honestly. Do you think we really don't understand these things?
Posted 1 year ago # -
That's a ridiculous analogy, firstly the WRC is like a time trial, rather than a bunch race
my view is that XC is mainly like a timetrial and rarely like a bunch race
XC racing is only interesting if you are battling it out with someone. Otherwise it's dull
you need good electronic timing/ good manual time prepared to put times on boards coupled with some good commentary
Posted 1 year ago # -
The course is finished FFS! Do you think Dalby had rock gardens from the off, it's got to start somewhere, if it still looks like that in 18 months there'll be a problem!
You can't really judge race courses on 24 hour races either, they're designed for lots of riders, many of whom will be tired. An XC course should be more technical, and this will be I'm sure!
Posted 1 year ago # -
my view is that XC is mainly like a timetrial and rarely like a bunch race
Yeah, when it's all big climbs. When it's flat and open it gets much more exciting. Hence why I think this course'll be good!
And I think those corners in the first pic ARE technical when you're going flat out.
Posted 1 year ago # -
OK, for the sake of peace and good fellowship, I'll agree it's chocolate. But I'm still not eating it
Posted 1 year ago # -
When it's flat and open
you could use a cross bike
Posted 1 year ago # -
For watching and tele, the velodrome is where it is at....
Posted 1 year ago # -
LOL That will put Essex on the Map !!! LOL
What the fork is that! Looks more like a Crazy golf course.
How much we waisted on that
The rock garden looks like Cladding. bet you find pebble dash on the
berms if your lucky
Cant see the point of going out there to ride that
Like someone on here once said he would'nt walk his dog out there.
Well it is built near a fake Castle so theres a surprisePosted 1 year ago # -
It's not finished, why is it such a hard concept to grasp?! It's the beginnings of the course. Have you seen the velodrome? You wouldn't want to ride there either at the moment!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Mate some how your just not selling it to me
Posted 1 year ago # -
grantway - Member
Well it is built near a fake Castle so theres a surprise
POSTED 8 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST
what do you mean 'fake castle'?
Posted 1 year ago # -
The most 'intense' XC races I've done have been at the short Lotts Wood course near Amersham. A 15 minute lap and you've always someone to either chase or someone is 'after you'.
But the bit I think is really wrong is that they talk about legacy and sustainability - and this seems to be neither...
But according to their website:
http://www.london2012.com/games/venues/hadleigh-farm-essex.php
After the Games
The temporary structures will be taken down. We will work closely with our partners, including Essex County Council and the Salvation Army, to explore what course will be left in place for future use.But reading more, its seems that only 3000 tickets are available - just how small is this field?
http://www.longpier.com/2010/10/olympics-2012-hadleigh-event-pricing-revealed/
Posted 1 year ago #
Topic Closed
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