(Deon)

At the meeting you say? It's not in the agreements and outcomes in the minutes. Go back to your source but don't use the broken phone this time.. Everyone approved the minutes, even your saws.

Correction, the committee is supposed to oversee what I do. I consulted the soon to be TokaiMTB committee members before opening the snake trails and i got their approval. It was working.. now it is not.

the explanation won't have the same effect if you don't have violin music playing in the background.. sorry that just slipped out..

.. .. for some, yes. Isn't the detail of that call on FB. It's hardly a secret. Look I can understand the call to cease before the AGM, but this would valid if my work was indeed poo, which it is not.

TokaiMTB is AMArider affiliated. It allows for cases like these, especially since they are invloved in discussions with the landowner. They have a stake in Tokai. TokaiMTB is autonomous in it's operation, the boss is essentially SANParks, sort of. There are many levels of control. I have been setting up the TokaiMTB maintenance crew. It is vital that there is a team who can respond to everyday issues, especially after we have completed through contracted labour for the construction of the ultimate vision for the trails. Maintenance, I'm sure I don't have to go into detail. Until now the low level maintenance includes, lifting severely eroded trail levels, shoring trails, rebuilding existing features with clay, realignments (through public participation and commenting, example the DH line - plenty input there from the public.) TokaiMTB however is also responsible for meeting both Parks and pulic requirements for safety. The public suggests, TokaiMTB presents and a common ground is found with Parks that leaves all happy until the next revision. These should be ongoing as riders skills progress. The DH is a good example of progression. Xc riders are trying things they may never get to do in other more qualified parks, this is good for the sport. There is the insurance aspect of what TokaiMTB does. The affiliation with AMArider currently offers this. The committee would oversee what work is done, standards, designs, trail proposals (although this becomes a higher level discussion with public and TMMTB forum in case of disagreement). There is a funding group which oversees the funds and TokaiMTB applies for the funds via proposals, per year/per project a detail to be clarified. Lots of value and needed for an all round progression. It's not all just about building.

Jimmy, will answer now..

www.youtube.com/embed/ZNeq2Utm0nU Sorry, wasn't working until I refreshed.. oops.

Hey listen guys, it is only expected that I was going to have my say. Of course I waited till relationships with the most important people could be patched, this was in Tokai's best interst. We will all be meeting tomorrow, if I did not get that off my chest, it would have been me with the grudge. Just hope it's not you Johno. Who's it?

Here is some crap. Before After: haphazard job to stem erosion not fitting conservation req's. Unskilled labour at work, certainly not neat.

erm, it's the people most concerned about the well being of the trails that are giving the trailbuilders the hardest time.

Thanks Rika. I'm sure this will be appreciated.

WTF?

Not if you weren't looking for a fight or had other unscrupulous agendas in mind..

Do you understand Hairy that the trail is not up to standard after 11 days paid labour and 4 volunteer days in the summer. I was being bashed in the first week of the trail being opened. I.e. lifting branches because "it had no flow" 1 week! Torrential downpours have broken a lot that we have built, washed out massive sections of trail, we've lost the ±100m3 clay destined for the sand corners and sandy sections, all carted off Cecelia forest Jeeptrack for the pine clearing activities, only to have him say that what is standing there now while we wait for rationalisation to be completed, is CRAP! No bud. There is something wrong with that sentiment. He has not once come to me to discuss. I had to find out in a high level meeting that he is now the "volunteer expert" who came to give his version of what happens at volunteer days and how we should be spending what small budget we have with professionals. This makes absolutely no business sense?! If we have no commitment that there will be a trail where we pump all our money, who is going to invest in Tokai in the future when/if we are instructed to close the track and rehab the area Exapmple: there is too much water. Instead I am spending 1/3 of what a professional will cost to maintain the trails across the mountain, keeping the wheels turning and restoring the severe damage Tokai has sustained over years.. because there has not been a dedicated maintenance crew or large budgets. I have since with everyone's blessing employed 5 guys who now are all sitting at home without any money to support their families, why? Because of a childish moratorium against what a few people think is crap! Tokai is suffering because of difference in opinion, not in fact! Dude, I am angry!! But I have kept my decorum throughout.. now I'm being told that he has an opinion but I should not. Fair? I want to meet these guys half way, we'll talk about this at the meeting but so all here know... I had to get commitment from Parks that we could rebuild the Snake trail sustainably, low-key and without major investment to get riders off the DH as soon as possible, and also because it is 50% of our trails. I have achieved that. If we need to pay Bennett now to install few features that I, or the volunteers could do (and we can with the right conditions) then so be it. Bennett knows he is the guy for Tokai.. he is patiently waiting for the process to conclude but he is puzzled by why we need to invest high level budget for something insecure. I will get the money to make everyone happy but I cannot support the call for massive spending.. that makes no sense! Ed: typo

Hey, sure, bury the hatchet. I can and I have for the benefit of moving forward. In the interest of Tokai's benefit I will meet with Vince, Duane Richard, Johno and chat about what we all want for the trails, what we've all wanted from the start. You must remember that I have worked with Vince and Duane for nearly 3 years, they know me and I know them. I don't know really know John, I though I did but I see that he has no shame in slandering me, the work I have done (yes oldflow I know you value my liaison with Parks but I have done more, ) and even the people who have come out to help while we face constraints that need to be respected. He claims we should have world class trails now within the constraints, but I still wonder if he understands that it is these very constraints that prevents us from getting world class trails now. Something tells me that some damage has been done that will tarnish my image. If I read the first page, the punches thrown are not fitting of anything advertised as "fair". Delete the thread.. 5129 views and I don't get to set the record straight. Fair?

..and let me guess, "I stand by what I said". It's irrelevant that you didn't understand the constraints or you might actually had mentioned a few.

No, do not edit the comments.. there is still something I am not happy about and I advise that the tone of Johns (oldflow) comments remain. I have been the target of "a" campaign. I have say in what stays. Reason for EDIT: It occurred to me that some people may not know who John is, I have added his nickname in (brackets).

..review every 6 years and thanks for the info, there's that hub knowledge! Logging essentially owns the land until the lease is over. They do have requirements but really, like they are going stick to the agreement and Cape Pine is bleeding money logging in the WC. This exit lease is them cutting their losses, literally. Btw, biodiversity also has a set of eia triggers that we will possibly be held to. So far we have the blessing of SANBI, we should focus on keeping a good relationship.

Agreed. Was keen to meet you... next time.

CNDV Africa.. no, not to my knowledge as we have a base document which covers the scope. I can check?? Yes and no Mayhem. The EIA is not required as this will cover an activity for all of TMNP land, (the PMC is a separate doc and has no bearing in this process - for the peninsula route, yes). An EIA will only be required based on projects requiring ground disturbance of xxsqm or more.. I can confirm that number, but the Rinkhals trail in Tokai has triggered one. Myles, the rationalisation is Tokai specific as it is a changing landscape carrying a conservation mandate..

I need to also add that Parks have received the first draft compiled by the forum (Dec), given a brief report to the consultants and used big words for many things, (Jan), and so far all happy with process and possible timeframe (Feb).

Hey Slow, the 2013 version is a revision of the 2002 approved doc. This new version will incorporate updated terminology, requirements and specifications lacking the the old.. There will be public comment period on the '02 version for consensus that we are basing the new on the old. The meeting today yielded good results with timeframes and we have a clear direction in terms of process. I'm not calling for lifting anchors just yet, but make sure you are aboard!

Sorry Eugene, I raced passed the guard on duty today, was late for a meeting but will make another attempt tomorrow. Lost items go into lost and found at Listers place.. Quite safe. Baboon proof bars!

I would like to invite a few people from my end too.

Duane, I ask because you guys bailed while I was getting the info on what is best for the entity in terms of reporting. VA vs NPC. VA is the route I will be taking and this was approved by the funding group in August. Of course the application is on hold until I know the fate of this process. No point launching a fundraiser amidst this negativity difference of opinion. I do have accountants set for auditing. The offer was made to have this cost covered, but no reason why we can't still chat. If you want to discuss other issues offline I am open to it.. we could be back to business as usual..