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XCO Series
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Is there or is there not going to be a NSW XCO series or just a championship event? Looks like the calendar is just about full, what with enduros and club xco rounds. Will state series now die forever?
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hey - I'm keen to know too. This question has been dodged, avoided and generally ignored by the 'powers that be' a few times now, both here and on that other mtb forum.
The last I heard (unofficially) was that there would be a one-off state champs, but no series.
It would seem that if you want to 'race' at 'state level', you have to ride for 10hrs, and see who gives up before you. A brilliant entry point to competitive mtb, and replicated worldwide.
Or just race on the road, or drive to Victoria.
Its very disappointing.
My guess is that the 'series' has been hijacked by the fact that enduros are a growing market and a few clubs will have their hands full running these. Last years series was a little undercooked and in many instances there were not big roll ups at an interclub level anyway. Maybe the horse has now bolted and with clubs having already or imminently publishing their winter race program I can't see a state series being revived. Maybe we'll ride the national series instead next year.
Yeah.
I'm intrigued at the Enduro thing though.
Is it that they are growing, or is it the same people doing more events? Globally, Enduros arent growing, Marathons are. There is a big difference.
Surely the majority of people cant afford to give up a full 10hrs of 'life time' to riding, rather than 90 - 120mins?
I am sure people will correct me on this.
I do wonder about how this can be justified at the grass-roots level, or even at Junior talent development. There is literally nothing for them now, unless they travel all around Australia to get their arses kicked coz they dont have an intermediate step between Club and National.
If XC is done well, and events are given the same amount of effort as a big enduro, there would be a huge roll-up. There has to be, as it seems to work in every other MTB country.
Anyway, we wont hear from anyone at NSWMTB (its likely that there is no one actually charged with the XC series or racing, so I'm not trying to point the finger) so we will have to fill the calendar without the State XC.
Yes very disappointing to see that there is really no pathway for developing xco at a state level. Cross Country Olympic..... With a junior in my family who has performed exceptionally well in the past the only avenue now is for him to ride in a team in the choc foot series and have a one off state champ event (plus the club rounds). That surely mustn't be the most ideal way for juniors to be developing. There's a world of difference between riding in a relay and riding solo over an intense xco course both mentally and physically.
Oh and good point re enduros... probably same people filling the available spaces.
"Surely the majority of people cant afford to give up a full 10hrs of 'life time' to riding, rather than 90 - 120mins?"
it more the 2-3hr of driving that puts people off the trad 90-120 min race
To say their would be a huge roll up if done correctly is a big statement. several people have tried to boost XC in NSW over the 5 or 6 years I've been involved at state level. Most came in saying exactly that and failed.
Hamish stemmed the flow in 07 and craig actually managed to increase numbers in 08 and 09 but it's a big thankless job. Craig was trying to improve on it for this year but given his other commitments and the reluctance of others things have kinda died. Not sure where its at now but I'd suggest that if people want a series Craig would be more than happy for them to help get one happening
Yeah, for me it's defo the thought of driving a long way for a short race. Just doesn't make it worthwhile. Dunno how many are in the same boat, but surely a few.
At least an enduro gives you a lot of new track to
suffer throughenjoy for your time in the car.Thing is, when you're talking about a state series isn't that meant to cater for riders from all over the state? In which case wouldn't the entrants surely expect they had to drive a long way at least some of the time?
"In which case wouldn't the entrants surely expect they had to drive a long way at least some of the time?"
You'd think that but traditionally we've struggle to get break even numbers outside Newcastle Sydney Wolongong
At even within those centers club members grumble about paying extra to race on their usual club track.
Rising costs mean entries to state rounds are going up.
Again anyone willing to put the time and effort into organise a series rather than just grumbling would be welcome
organise a pee up in a brewery but am more than willing to enter/drive/pay a little extra for a state series!
i think that the enduros and marathons are killing the xc races as it's more 'user friendly' in the way that people dont have to train as hard to have a good time and they can get lost amongst the crowd when not doing so well in a race. in xc racing it's a bit more apparent who the slowies are and it's a lot harder/intense kind of race that most people dont enjoy or aren't prepared for.
it's a bloody shame as i love xc now.
what makes me laugh is that people keep saying ' how can i get fitter? how can i train for a 50/100km enduro?'
i say "GET OUT AND DO SOME BLOODY XC RACES!"
GREAT FUN, GREAT TRAINING AND GREAT VALUE.
Thats exactly what we have found up here. Our club rounds regularly have in excess of 100 riders. The last few times we have run a state XCO, the numbers have not been close to a club round.
The attraction for enduro's and DH (where the numbers continue to grow) is that you get more value for the traveling, especially if you aren't in with a chance to actually get a podium. Its hard to justify driving around the state to flog yourself for 90mins knowing that you really don't have a chance of doing anything more than making up the numbers.
I personally don't think the XCO format is dead, you only have to look at the numbers at club events to see that, its just a matter of working out how to tap the market.
From this website:
"2010 NSWMTB XC Series
Details to come "
Yeah the website says details to come. But each time something comes close to being locked in something else falls through.
As I have said Craig hasn't got the time to devote to chasing up all the loose ends Nobody has volunteered to step up for the XC or DH coordinators roll this year which mean the already over worked guys stretched to breaking point
Again I'll call for volunteers to help out but to paraphrase, this call has been dodged, avoided and generally ignored by the people whining the loudest a few times now, both here and on that other mtb forum.
At this stage there wont be a series. We're doing the best we can to get a State Champs happening
Whilst its easy to say that people who want a series (or whining as you have said again and again) should be the people arranging it, or stepping up to take the role, it is not just a matter of putting your hand up.
For me, this is the first I heard that there was no 'XC' coordinator. Is this a sperate role to the Enduro coordinator? Surely they are close being one and the same? If not, then sure, I'd be happy to be involved - PM me some details if you want. I havent got loads of time to give, but if its a few hours more than you had before then I'm happy to contribute.
However, all of this 'whining' would have been put to an end if the details disclosed here were shared via the NTBNSW site, or here or on the other site. Its just been complete silence, coming after some tentative dates were announced.
Surely the 'whining' is some proof that there is a demand for this series.....
There is no "Enduro" coordinator as they are all run by private promoters.
Every time something has been asked here I have provided the information as I had it. It's a massive job trying to coordinate all this but as for helping out contact Craig, Dagonz on rotorburn.
"At this stage there wont be a series. We're doing the best we can to get a State Champs happening"
Thanks - I take it that this is an official announcement? Thank you. Good luck with the Championship meet.
As an aside question out of pure newby ignorance. What seems to be the problem - is there a lot of animosity between this forum and the so called 'other' forum? (I guess that's rotorburn??)