mountain_lion

I realise that it is tedious to update the map images for every change. Perhaps you could investigate publishing KML files with the track data. This should be easier to update (no screen shots required). Trail users can then view the tracks on Google Earth and print their own maps as and when needed. I have recorded GPS tracks of most of the original routes. Renovations to our house in Onder-Papegaaiberg have finally been completed (moving back this weekend). Once settled in, I plan to be out on the trails more frequently again. Looking forward to see what you have been up to during the past few months. I track all my rides. Let me know if you need data.

Questions: 1. What are the event times on the days in question? 2. Are the route changes significant enough to be noticed on the Google maps? If yes, have the online maps been updated? Thank you for your continued efforts to improve the trails.

Hellwarp & Dirtman, Thanks for all the work you are doing planning out more routes. Request: please try to find some flatter, easier routes for novices and children. I realise that between the topology of the area and landowner constraints this is not an easy task, but at present the orange loop is the only option for people that do not (yet) enjoy the steep climbs. Many riders I spoke to on (and off) the trails have requested this. I know it is not possible to please everybody all the time (I want more single track ) Keep up the good work!

Without keeping records, you will not know if it is a repeat offender. Only solution will be for landowners (I think only the owner can take legal action) to stop riders at random and check permits. Anybody found without a permit should be charged with trespassing, irrespective if it is a "first offence". Will be sad if it is needed to resort this, but I do not see any other effective way of policing the trails. In the mean time all legal riders should politely inform the free-loaders that a permit is required. Also point out that riding without a permit puts the rider at risk of being charged with trespassing and could lead to the permanent closure of the trail.

Have a spare quick link and chain tool. Use chain tool to remove damaged link(s). Ensure that you end up with rollers (not plates) at both ends of the chain. Fit chain using quick link to join ends. This should get you home. Just remember that the chain is shorter now so don't use big ring and large sprocket combination at all (should not do this in any case). Replace with new chain ASAP.

Hellwarp I trust your rant is not directed at me. I have an annual permit and play by the rules, staying only on the marked trails since they opened. I understand your frustration. The fee-loading need to stop. You know I support your work and the principal of having marked trails to ensure continued public access. However if what I suggested is not practical, then just say so. It is sad that the track in question is lost and the effort building it wasted, but if that is the price to pay to ensure access to the other farms, so be it.

Before building new single track, make use of what is already there. You know which one I am talking about The hard work has been done. Only the entrance that needs to be cut open and a little bit of pruning along the trail. Wheels will do the rest. Yes it is on a farm which has not joined the trail system (yet). However they did give us permission to build the trail there and use it for an annual fun ride, on condition that we do not go any lower down than the contour road onto which the single track exits. I am sure that the landowner can be convinced to allow it to be added to the official trail system. It is easy to join into the existing trails too; you have track logs of all my suggestions, including this one...

The trail can be policed by ALL legal users of the trail. Just inform people politely that a permit is required and where to obtain a permit from. In the ideal world all riders will soon get with the program and buy permits. Unfortunately there are always some selfish people who disregard all rules. It has almost become a way of life in RSA... The problem is how to deal with these "repeat offenders"? Nobody wants their ride spoilt by getting into an argument; plus what can you actually do? Best I can think of is to carry a camera or phone with camera and try to take a photo of the culprit and email it to the trail managers. This should help to identify repeat offenders. But even if you know who they are, how do you stop them from free-loading? Name and shame might help a bit...

I have a copy. Recommended. Covers just about any job on a bike.

Enjoy! I am off for a weekend away in the Karoo with Mrs mountain_lion. Rustic cottage, no electricity... Bikes are packed too; some great MTB trails from the front door

Looks 90% correct to me. From the latest map on http://bottelaryhillsmtb.co.za it seems that there was a slight change to the purple from the initial suggestion posted in this thread. The purple now cuts across to join the red a bit higher up rather than going straight down. And you have not got the link back onto the yellow from the red 100% correct either, but it is well marked; you will not miss it.

I assume you plan to start at Middelvlei and not Only-One like you did last time. I am not aware of a marked route back to Only-One from where the purple ends. You will need to follow the red in reverse to go back to Only-one if you bail out via the purple. From Middelvlei you should not have a problem. Just make sure you get back onto the yellow after doing the red/purple. Exiting the yellow on the way back to Middelvlei is easy; you just continue straight down to the bottom of the brick paved road.

Look at the photo's I linked above. The bearing is inserted into the tool. Thus the requirement to remove the bearing. If you don't want to remove the bearing, rather just remove the seal on one side and smear some new grease on. Not nearly as good a job as removing the bearing and using a tool like this though.

So it will be even better to remove the seals before you start.

From the photos I found at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/kevin.maxfield/greaser.htm it seems like you cannot use the tool in-situ. You have to remove the bearing to re-grease. This should answer SkyLark's question. I can see how this tool will work for non-sealed bearings, but for sealed bearings I am not convinced. With enough pressure, the seal one side could let grease in, but on the other side where the old grease needs to exit, surely the grease will pop the seal off?? Or am I missing something?

Smart move! The pace was even faster tonight; I had to suffer alone at the back on the climbs! In your absence Tankman and Rob took turns tumbling off their bikes... Thanks for the ride guys. Next week I will not be there to hold you back.

You had a choice of an easier alternative... Glad Hellwarp and co. could arrange that.

Will help if you list the pay points to buy permits at along side the signs which indicating that a permit is required. Not all riders are Hubbers; some do not even frequent the internet...

Thanks Helwarp I am sure you had a good look, but too much camber??? You are correct about the MX bikes causing lots of damage, so it is better to avoid what they use; just feels wrong to be "bullied" by the MXers off a track built by MTBers... That ditch does not get too bad in winter (but the MX bikes do use it). The section on the yellow route going up next to the stream on Wolwedans does turn into a complete bog in winter though...

Would be nice to enable riders starting from Only One restaurant to do the yellow and then return without doing all of the red in a similar way. I suggest a return route from the most northern point on the yellow straight down along the Hartenberg fence. Easy but fun down hill run. There is a ditch to cross between the trees before heading down hill. We built a light weight bridge over it for the Stellenbosch Wes ride. This bridge lasted more than a year before the motor bikes broke it. Just needs two study pallets to fix. To avoid doing a section of the yellow loop twice before returning to Only One, just link straight to the yellow after topping out the climb on the red. By configuring this as a figure 8 loop it also adds another option from the Stellenbosch side, plus it will enable riders to return to Only One without doing the yellow at all. I am busy tomorrow (Saturday) but if you need help putting up signs etc between now and easter, you have my contact details.

Thanks for that. I had the same in mind, in fact I think it is roughly the route we used for the medium route on the Stellenbosch Wes ride. We just included that drop through the ditch just before joining the red route. Perhaps consider this as an alternative for those who prefer something less smooth? I.e. instead of turning 90° right to go down as you have the purple now, continue straight (over the farm boundary; there is a ridable gap there) along the top of the vineyard. The adventurous can then turn left to drop through the ditch and turn right at the exit to join the red route, with an easy alternative chicken run straight down to the red for others. If this is not clear, I can send a Google map. Or... how about considering the single track which runs parallel to the purple route??? I know that sections of it is also used by the motor bikes (conflict) and it is on a different farm, but it was actually built by MTBers. Any chance for that to be used as an alternative? Only needs a little bit of pruning and some minor repair work to be done at the rocky section...

Nice ride guys; was fun. Thanks for waiting for me. At least I have now retrieved my lights from the chaos caused by moving house, so should not delay your start again next time. Will see about next week, but I think I am out for the next two weeks. If you have not discovered the other single tracks by then, I will show you.

Most likely remote seat post dropper, e.g. Joplin

The Breede ride might not have single track, but the long route is certainly not easy. The climbs will test your endurance and the steep fast down hills your handling skill. Looks like I will miss it this year though...

No problem, glad I could help. My intention for the day was just to roam around the route on the Devonvalley side and see if people were managing OK. Had to point Homer in the right direction too on the yellow route where you turn of the brick paved road to cross the dam wall; only candy tape there at present; sign is obviously still to be put up. I encountered several groups without permits and had a friendly chat to them. Most said they had seen the signs, but did not know where to buy permits, while one group claimed that they knew nothing about the trail or permits. The notices posted along the trail does mention clearly that you need a permit, but does not list the permit sale points. Perhaps this should be added. Everybody I encountered were willing to buy permits if only they knew where. As Karakoram and party discovered, the yellow loop is indeed a loop. You need to exit it somewhere else you will continue in a never ending circle... Coming from the Bottelary side, this is problematic at present if you don't want to do the whole red route. You need to follow the red route in reverse to get back if you decide you have had enough after the doing the yellow. I also met a couple on the red route. They had started from Middelvlei, did the yellow and then continued up the climb on the red. Top of the hill they decided that they did not want to go all the way round on the red. Only option then is to turn back and go against the flow (if you don't know the area... ). I have some ideas for future route improvements. Not sure if my ideas are in line with what the landowners want though. Hellwarp, we need to meet for a chat. In general well done to Hellwarp, Dirtman and their team. :clap: