PatrickR

Robbie Stewart, that is our goal over the next few years...... to make the Hammer the best flowline in the country! We have the basics in place, we have the elevation, we have the distance (more planned) and of course we have the man Duran to build it, ably assisted by our TMTBC trail crew guru shapers and the legend that is Mike Goodwin floating around too! We will continue upgrading to the extent that from the start at the top all the way to the finish at the bottom will just get better and bigger, just as we have done with the finish in this build. Happy days!!

Nice vid Fanie! Hylton Turvey..... the silent assassin!! What a gentleman, what a visionary, what a trail builder, what a human being..... and he rides a Kenevo! See you soon

For one brief moment there I thought you said "King of spin"........ I almost went into hyperventilation!

A bit of perspective when its comes to trail grading It is almost impossible to get a consistent grading if you are basing your trail grading on the IMBA system, which the bulk of trail gradings on SA trails are based on, as there is no SA trail grading system currently in place. The IMBA system is subjective, not cast in stone, open to different interpretations and very short in terms of particular and concise detail when it comes to the often used word in their system....."obstacles" Their system also requires a "Panel" to officiate the grading system, but it doesn't detail the requirements, skills, knowledge, qualifications, riding ability, etc of each panel member. In other words, you could have a bunch of newbies grading the B Spot at Bloemendal as a Black route, or conversely a bunch of enduro riders grading it as a Green route. There are too many loopholes, not enough certainties and too much scope for subjective interpretation in the IMBA system for it to be consistent and cast in stone. In other words, its meant to be a guide, not a regulation This said, this is the very reason that the TMTBC always err on the side of caution when grading their trails, as it gives their members, who are predominantly Blue riders, a conservative GUIDE as to what lies ahead. Remember that they are only concerned as to what happens on their trails and the safety of their vast membership, that's why their grading system on trails like the Cobra and the new Black Rhino is a little cautious. If it ever comes down to a legal claim, which no doubt there will be one day, then its imperative that trail grading and signage always errs on the side of caution No one is ever going to win when it comes to trail grading, so lets stop all the stress and argument by viewing trail grading as just a rough guide and go forth and enjoy yourself, no matter what type of rider you are....

You okes do realise that the footage and commentary on these videos are courtesy of the legendary "Muishond" himself.......

On the topic of the state of the trails, just remember that this time of the year, just before the first winter rains, all trails in the Cape Town area and surrounds are at their worst in terms of wear and tear, with little or no meaningful maintenance possible during the Spring and Summer and the sheer volumes of traffic that pound these trails, especially the TMTBC trails, with their over 7000 members and visitors that ride these trails on a frequent basis. As per usual, I am sure all TMTBC trails will receive their annual winter maintenance once ground conditions are suitable

V18... appreciate what you say bud, but I don't think anyone can defend Thermophage and his continued criticism of the TMTBC and the way he goes about it. Not constructive, He has never ever lodged a formal complaint to the TMTBC..... he prefers to attack the club via this forum, behind his keyboard. Thats what pisses me and most of the 7000 members of the club off. He has never requested a meeting with either the committee or the trail trail builder to air his grievances, he just keeps on mouthing his grievances toxicably on this forum. Another shout out to him..... Thermophage... please contact the club.... They would love to listen to you!!

But you hate the TMTBC trails so much.... pray tell why are you then riding Hoogekraal tomorrow ?????? Don't forget the honesty box then as you now " don't part with your money to the TMTBC..."

And let not forget the regrettable and totally unjustified verbal abuse that Thermophage has spewed forth upon the TMTBC on this forum for the past few years.... Stop worrying about who I am.... rather start worrying about the garbage that you post. Rather start thinking about it,,,,, carefully!

Firstly, I am not a TMTBC committee member. Secondly I can vouch that Thermophage has never ever, ever, ever approached the TMTBC officially with any of his requests, either verbally, in writing or with whatever format. If I am am wrong, please provide me proof thereof... I would be glad to be proven wrong. Remember the case of the three stories.... mine, yours and the truth... So, If we are going to start a discussion, lets do it on an even keel... I am more than happy to participate!

Once again... the comment is "rather engage the club directly on any issues you may have" and if you are not happy then go mad here Yet everyone here is of the opinion that the club does not listen. How can they listen if you don't contact them. As stated, ad nauseam, if you have an issue with the club, their policies, their vision, their fees, take it up with them directly on the many platforms available. If you get no response thereafter, then by all means bleat on this forum And yip we all agree..... less *** talking and more riding.... the better

Going through the records, there is not one single trail maintenance/ build request from yourself on this matter. Once again, if you have any trail maintenance/build request, please feel free to log it and more importantly discuss it with the trail builder...

My final 2c to you If you have a crit of the TMTBC, stop making a box of yourself on this forum with wild, woolly and unsubstantiated comments. Rather engage them on all the forums available. The Committee is progressive with many "E" riders on board and the trail builder is very much gravity orientated. If your queries are not sorted to your satisfaction at this level, please feel free to go mad on this forum...

Ja... maybe a few..... but not the gazilions of berms

Its clear that you are only hearing one side of a three sided story. There is a huge difference between between engaging the TMTBC constructively on any trail suggestions as to dissing them openly on a forum like the Bikehub. The TMTBC has a specific "Trail Maintenance/building request" thread on its website. Every single trail maintenance/ building request gets back to its trail builder and he replies immediately I take it no one on this thread has taken the responsibility to engage constructively with the TBMTBC on this platform??

He has some valid concerns, but I think his anti venom of the TMTBC is so so skewered, that it affects his judgement. Lets take Contermanss into perspective... take away nothing from Rob Starke, who we all rate as a serious trail builder... and rider!! He alludes to this as "different from the TMTBC trails as aits a different trail builder"... correct! So he waxes lyrical about the Contermans trails as there are" lots of off camber corners and variety"..... I think in that statement he means no momotinous berms as he so much detests Once again let me state that riding Contermans is a pleasure.... yet lets digress Mast down mainline: 0 off camber and many berms albeit a bit rocky Revised: 0 off camber, many berms albeit a bit rocky Freeride: 0 off camber, many berms not rocky at all Supertubes: 0 off camber, gazillions of fun berms the Kloof: 0 off camber, more fun berms Cheeky Corners: 0 off camber, more gazillions of fun berms Happy Hops: Nada off camber, trazillions of fun berms Tree Charge: FINALLY... 2 off camber corners and not many berms So, being a regular rider of Conties, its clear..... the place is a berm fest.... and rightfully so as its so enjoyable Just dont know whats so different to Contermans as to the rest of the TMTBC trails. Berm after berm Thank god I love all these trails and the diversity they give you..

Did you ever stop to contemplate as to why no-one listens to you??

It amazes me as to how people don't understand what the ethos and success about the TMTBC is about. To put it into perspective, the TMTBC is arguably the biggest mountain bike club in the world.... yes the world, with over 7000 paid up members!! Now surely there has to be some form of reason behind that success So imagine if they had to cater for the 150 or so peeps that sign up for the 3 EWC events during the year, or the 50 or so peeps that pitch up for the very few D/H races on the Western Province calendar. Yes, they would be keeping 150 hard core riders happy every year. Unfortunately that is not going to sustain the land owners costs, trail building costs and maintenance costs of 150km of trails on offer on the network at the moment, as well of the needs of every other type of format of mountain biking. Its a no brainer, the club will die So what they have done is provide a huge amount of variety (contrary to Thermophages opinion), from the park like set up at Bloemendal, to the pure riding beauty in nature of Hillcrest, to the more hard core riding of UPPER Contermans (yes, Contermans is part of the TMTBC trail network), to the real challenge of a proper day in the saddle at Hoogekraal/ Welvergenoegd/Fair Cape to the green and easy ride at Meerendal, to the big jump lines at Bloemendal, to the pump tracks at Bloemendal, to the Skills Park at Hoogekraal,... there is so much for everyone and that what makes the club arguably the biggest in the world.... the variety, the fact that these trails are on your doorstep, the fact that these trails are really well built and cater for all.... not just 150 odd Enduro riders The Tygerberg Hills do not have the landscape and elevations of Jonkershoek , Table Mountain or Tokai. They have land offered to them by the generosity of local land owners, predominantly vineyards and smallish hills.... they do not have the elevation, rocks and the gnar that the 150 odd enduro riders seek and even if they did, it would not be sustainable... this club is what it is because of the way they have gone about it with what they have on offer.. providing variety to all.... and then some! Lets not mention the fact that they have kept WPXCO and EWC alive this year with their generous sponsorships of both formats. Its well documented the EWC was dying at the end of 2017, yet not a word of thanks from those on this thread who criticize. Apparently, this sponsorship will continue into 2019. Surely the minority of those that don't appreciate the TBMTC should recognise this, especially if they partook in these events this year. I could go on and on, but wont. To me, those that diss this club and what it has achieved, do not understand the essence of mountain biking in this country...

Let me clarify the trail running issue on TMTBC trails. There are only two trail centres that allow trail running on their property 1 Meerendal. There is supposed to be a running specific trail, but trail runners seem to run as and where they please, but the land owners are not too phased about it so chill and relax if you bump into one on the trail 2 Bloemendal lower. Lower Bloemendal only (to the South of Tygervalley Rd). Trail running only on the dirt roads and NOT any single track at all That is it!! No trail running at Upper Bloemendal, lower Bloemendal single track, Hillcrest, Contermanskloof, Hoogekraal, Welvergenoegd, Fair Cape or ANY of the Corridors. If you see any trail runners on these trails please feel free to take them out... On the snake issue, taking into account that I do spend a lot of time on these trails, experience has taught me that the mornings are generally ok and there is definitely more activity from 3.00pm to 5.00pm. In summer, I stick to riding in the mornings....