EvilRabbit

Been pretty slack on the forum, even worse as I started it! Been overloaded with a house move and work, but will be staying down the road in Steenberg for a few months so will be available for some building. Sat sounds great. Let get muddy...

Ordered some knee/shin pads from CRC in the UK and was hit damn hard on duties claiming they fall under clothing. Is that the case? Helmets are regarded as clothing too?

Yes, for sure. Would love to chat more!

Paarl, Stellies, Tokai and around WC...got something we would look at?

Can't say just yet. Going to be a great piece as we have good riders and beautiful terrain.

Doing a feature on Freeriding for a local mag and looking for Freeriders/dh riders to interview and shoot. Going to be great piece. Please pm me. Cheers

My thoughts: there already is a DH course with gradient for speed, drops and gnarl inc road gap. I think a shaped run that would contain options like a table tops with 2/3 take-offs and landings so beginners hang on the right and experienced riders hang left. The same can be done for bridges etc. The gradient around vasbyt is better suited to this style of riding - think more Super D, that DH. Something the XC and DH guys can enjoy at the same time. More roll-able table tops maybe. A mini excavator is about R1500 a day including an operator and would get more done in a day or 2 than a lot of hands - which also seem difficult to organize and get commitment. Berms and just seem to take a lot of time and effort. If we planned and marked out what is needed, pretty sure a lot could be done in a weekend. Not sure what is available in the budget - could you shed some light? If it is an issue I am sure we could raise the funds and get additional paid labor, creating jobs for those in need. This may suit more people who don't have the time, but want to be a part of the effort.

Agreed, think it would be a great fit for the SA market. We obviously don't have ski lifts so guys are used to pedaling up.

In for DH maintenance. Available this Sunday am before lunch for some hours. Regarding the timber. To start I'd like to see a berm at the mid end of vasbyt where the path takes a 180* right and is fairly off camber and the point of the turn meets that barbed wire fence - asking for trouble. Think something like: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4912462348_783afb06c1.jpg I think we can also look to create simple bridges (I would add simple roll-in at the end to allow beginners to roll-in or intermediates to drop it) that could cover some of the really badly rutted areas: http://evergreenmtb.org/wiki/uploads/2/2e/IMG_1248_MultiLevelDrops.jpg Simple framed drops like the one below would save the roots which seem to be holding some of mamba and boomslang together. http://evergreenmtb.org/wiki/uploads/9/99/IMG_1274_PressTreatedTimberFramedDrop.jpg Regarding the DH. I think it would be great to create some more beginner type sections around vasbyt. There are plenty young kids, and old adults who consider themselves young kids, who are learning and would like to see some safe skills development type stunts. Would be easier to have these lower down on the mountain so the guys don't have to push the big bikes for 40mins to the top of the mountain.

What was the deal with access to timber?

Used to watch the series on TV in Australia. See they have the episodes available for digital purchase now. Great series with top riders like Steve Romaniuk and Cam McCaul and features Crankworx, Whistler, Utah, BC etc. http://www.dropintv.com/Drop_In_HD_Downloads_s/4.htm

PM'd you. Forming a non-profit to represent riders in the area to help create responsible and sustainable trails in the area. With support from riders and local businesses, we want to create a platform for the parks board to here our needs and give us support. As you are aware there is not much legal singletrack in the area and plenty of great terrain. Spread the word so we can build up a decent member base.

Any riders in the Cape Town CBD and Atlantic Seaboard area - please PM me. A few professionals are looking to form a non-profit to help with trail building and maintenance on Lions Head/Signal Hill/Table Mountain. The more people to get involved the better. Cheers, Rabbit

"HOLD THE LINE" - Lag I think the two need to be done and the same time. If you remove a trail, guys will find something to ride, but if there is a great alternative I think people will respect the healing process. A flyer costs a few cents, these could be handed out by the gate staff when people leave Tokai. I paid R30 to ride. A few cents to create awareness should be within budget. If you explain the process most mtb riders are nature respecting and should be supportive. There are enough large dead logs around to block the trail. The alternative is to create some raised wooden north shore style bridges to allow people to ride over the really badly rutted, rooty areas. The bridges could split into 2 endings allowing for a easy roll off and small drop off giving the rider a choice. Just some ideas...

In my mind only...

http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb6365784/p4pb6365784.jpg

http://lp1.pinkbike.org/p4pb6361292/p4pb6361292.jpg Would love to see the next few frames...

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Worlds-First-Special-Flip-2011.html

Cap - where did you find this pic?

Have a mate who has spent a small fortune on scientology and pretty much has to travel to LA every year to be able to achieve some kind of higher status or something. Whole thing is ridiculous, but put it this way he spends 100k on scientology to make himself feel good and you spend 100k of a bike to feel good...

Personally I would not race it. Rode one for a week and have a mate who rides one - more all mountain style. The bike probably weighs about 15/16kg? If you are set on a specialized and want to race, look at the epic - fantastic bike, just get the 2009 or later models as the 2008 has a bum shock. The enduro is more of a trail/all mountain style bike and geometry and travel is set for that. Just my 2c

Lag. Must be Californians. Anyone have more info on this? Have ridden Whistler in Canada and one of the guys I rode with would have a little toke before the run. Nuts as I had to have 110% of my wits to survive the runs down. Have seen tons of guys smoking on top of the mountains in Ski Resorts in Europe, seemed to be the equivalent of having a beer for them. Also had a boxing coach who used to smoke before training - believed it made him stronger - was a Zimbabwean thing.

RST is a beginner recreational fork. Fox are not the best, but one of the leading companies. Depends on the riding you want to do, the budget you have and the support in the country. XC race normally battled out between Fox and Rockshox, downhill race - Rockshox and freeride/slopestyle/am - Marzocchi, although each brand is eating into the others market share in the disciplines. Most of the forks are comparable in the leading brands like Fox, Rockshox and Marzocchi - not sure Marzocchi is represented here in SA? Look for the best deal out of those brands and you will be fine.

hmm...