Events

Are you ready for a Big MTB Year?

By Matt · 91 comments

A mountain bike event like no other. There is no start or finish. No short route or long route. In fact, no set route at all. Just you, your bike and any of the selected trails around SA. Big MTB Year is the brainchild of the team at EcoBound events. The same team behind some of the stalwarts of the mountain biking calendar (‘Trans Baviaans’ and ‘To Hell and Back’, to name just two).

2013-10-24-Big-Year-Logo.png

They’ve put together a great video explaining the concept and how it all works. Take a look.

http://vimeo.com/80381041

How does it work?

  • The aim, to see how many top selected trails you can ride in a single year.
  • The awesomeness, you can do it anytime at your leisure.
  • No crowds, no panicky starts, just do it when you want and at your own pace.
  • Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere.
  • Race against yourself, your equally obsessed MTB friends or take it on as a challenge.
  • Whatever turns your wheels.
  • To participate, download The Big Year App for your Apple or Android device and subscribe.
    (From the event website)

What does it cost?

  • The entry fee is just R199.00 which is paid when you download the app
  • Note: This does not include applicable access fees to the selected trails

It’s a unique concept and a fantastic way to promote the multitude of MTB trails around the country. Sure, it will take some time and money to get to each and every selected trail, but if the entry gets you to explore even one new trail in the year we’d consider it worthwhile.

For all the details on the rules, app and points system take a look at the event website: www.bigmtbyear.com/

You can also discuss the event and share your Big MTB Year in the dedicated forums right here on The Hub.

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Comments

rathlan
rathlan

Dec 15, 2013, 12:06 PM

Wow, Only saw the price today... That's kinda steep. Having a list of the trails somewhere would be a great start to help evaluating the cost vs benefit.

 

Unfortunately it's not on the Android store yet... Not a great start to the 'Big Year'

Iwan Kemp
Iwan Kemp

Dec 15, 2013, 2:27 PM

R200 is a lot of money for an app, but I feel it's unfair to compare the price to that of a game or other top apps that will enjoy 1000's and 1000's of downloads.

 

App will be bought and downloaded by a fraction of people and the development cost of it (plus the vid, website and all other costs) need to be covered by app purchases.

Iwan Kemp
Iwan Kemp

Dec 15, 2013, 2:30 PM

Wow, Only saw the price today... That's kinda steep. Having a list of the trails somewhere would be a great start to help evaluating the cost vs benefit.

 

Unfortunately it's not on the Android store yet... Not a great start to the 'Big Year'

 

http://www.bigmtbyear.com/mtbtrails/

Warren911
Warren911

Dec 15, 2013, 3:23 PM

As per Facebook Android version available now on play store

hayleyearth
hayleyearth

Dec 15, 2013, 3:52 PM

Dudes.... It isn't just for the app, it is for the entrance to the 'event/race/competition' too..... What do you okes pay for 94.7/Argus? (Which is an 1 day event? )

W1Z@RD
W1Z@RD

Dec 15, 2013, 4:36 PM

Do you have to ride with your phone? Or can you upload tracks after? Will need solar panels if I have to ride with phone and GPS on...

Warren911
Warren911

Dec 15, 2013, 4:46 PM

You need to ride with your phone

Do you have to ride with your phone? Or can you upload tracks after? Will need solar panels if I have to ride with phone and GPS on...
W1Z@RD
W1Z@RD

Dec 15, 2013, 4:52 PM

You need to ride with your phone

 

Short rides ok, but longer ones may be an issue.

 

I dont think the R260 price tag is too bad - nowadays a single day race is around there... will wait for some reviews though

hayleyearth
hayleyearth

Dec 15, 2013, 4:54 PM

 

 

Short rides ok, but longer ones may be an issue.

 

I dont think the R260 price tag is too bad - nowadays a single day race is around there... will wait for some reviews though

 

It's only R200 on my side

W1Z@RD
W1Z@RD

Dec 15, 2013, 4:55 PM

It's only R200 on my side

 

$25 = R260 on Itunes

Iwan Kemp
Iwan Kemp

Dec 15, 2013, 5:02 PM

R198.17 in Play Store. Still need to add trail entry for every ride and all the rest, but I like the idea. Cool concept and I'm sure the team behind it will tweak where necessary as feedback starts rolling in.

tyerone
tyerone

Dec 15, 2013, 6:49 PM

Does it it include entry to the various trails?

Warren911
Warren911

Dec 15, 2013, 7:12 PM

No. Not entry fees or race entry fees.

Does it it include entry to the various trails?
hayleyearth
hayleyearth

Dec 15, 2013, 7:17 PM

Does it it include entry to the various trails?

 

:o ......... <_<

fandacious
fandacious

Dec 15, 2013, 7:21 PM

I'm in 2 minds about this. I'm a fulltime iOS and android developer, so I know what it takes to develop an app.

 

Personally I feel they've gone about this wrong.

 

Basically you're paying them to capture data for them. I had a quick look at the posts here and their website, and dont actually see much listed as prizes, so i'm guessing it will be wishy washy (a pair of socks or such like).

 

So what exactly am i getting for my R200?

 

I can see they're trying to build a database of trails and mtb routes, but to ask cyclists to pay them R200 for the pleasure of capturing that data? wtf? Are they high?

Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp

Dec 15, 2013, 7:25 PM

Dudes.... It isn't just for the app, it is for the entrance to the 'event/race/competition' too..... What do you okes pay for 94.7/Argus? (Which is an 1 day event? )

 

Fixed it for you.

I can see this event is gonna get the worlds biggest attention whores to come forward.

It's gonna cost them a lot of money, but they will be noticed.

kosmonooit
kosmonooit

Dec 16, 2013, 3:43 AM

The new type of event that isn't actually one, it's all about the App :o

EcoBound MTB Events
EcoBound MTB Events

Dec 16, 2013, 4:37 AM

Thanks for the feedback

hayleyearth
hayleyearth

Dec 16, 2013, 5:18 AM

 

 

Fixed it for you.

I can see this event is gonna get the worlds biggest attention whores to come forward.

It's gonna cost them a lot of money, but they will be noticed.

 

Careful with the words you are using.

scuzzy
scuzzy

Dec 16, 2013, 5:24 AM

I like the idea. It is something new ans different, different type of challenge. I think something like this is needed and seriously R200 is not the end of the world if you like the challenge. You can only complain if you would actually accept the challenge.

 

As for Eco Bound capturing tour data, how, they already have the trails and that is all you ride, it's not Strava where they can see everywhere you ride.

 

I hope it takes off for them.

rouxtjie
rouxtjie

Dec 16, 2013, 5:38 AM

 

 

Careful with the words you are using.

Dangle is right on the money though.

EcoBound MTB Events
EcoBound MTB Events

Dec 16, 2013, 5:41 AM

What are you getting for your R200?

  • An entry to the event, which runs for 12 months (or R17 per month if you like).
  • The Big MTB Year app which is a convenient, pre-researched guide to 55 of SA’s best managed, marked trails. These will vary from year to year and will increase as the event grows.
  • The app is also your personal access ‘accreditation’ to the Big MTB Year event where you earn points, get ranked and become eligible to win prizes.
  • Prize-giving will be done monthly and include both regional and national rewards for quantity and consistency.
  • A high priority will be given to lucky draw prizes, making it possible for any Big MTB Year entrant to win something cool
  • Prizes are being sourced in conjunction with TREAD magazine and will only be prizes that mountain bikers covet. Prizes for Month 1 will be announced/listed by 21 December 2013.

 

The Big MTB Year is unique. We expect there to be skepticism and criticism. We understand that it may not be everyone’s ‘cup of tea’. We will do our best to answer all questions as they arise. Like any commercial event, the Big MTB Year is a business. We spent a year on the concept and the app development was costly. We appreciate the trust placed in us by those that have downloaded the app. With long-running, established mountain bike events such as Transbaviaans and To Hell and Back and an authoritative, respected media brand like TREAD, we have a proven track record that we are proud of. We will ensure that your first Big MTB Year is memorable and rewarding. We are excited to be delivering a world-first to a mountain bike public that is so passionate and enthusiastic. We are also proud to be able to help raise the standard and variety of mountain bike trails in South Africa.

 

Which Big MTB Year trail are you riding today? :)

Eldron
Eldron

Dec 16, 2013, 5:57 AM

Like most things in life this event will be seen through the viewers "life lens".

 

If your lens is positive then it's a cool excuse to explore SAs bike parks.

 

If your lens is negative then it's a rip off wankfest for rich people.

 

I figure any excuse to see what's out there is a good excuse. R200 is a ride at Modders and breakfast afterwards. No biggie.

Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp

Dec 16, 2013, 6:46 AM

Careful with the words you are using.

 

Such as ?

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