kandui

What time will you leave Rhodes Memorial?

Here are the Minutes of the Public Meeting held on the 22.8.2012. Apologies for the delay, we needed a number of pointless meeting to munch through all the biscuits while chewing the fat. Seriously, we all have jobs and it was a bit tricky to get everyone together sooner, discuss the concerns raised and sign off on the Minutes. TMMTB PM 1 22 Aug 2012 (signed).pdf

Anybody riding today? Weather is perfect.

What time were you riding? To see so many guys out it must have been after 4:30pm. I was riding my usual route from home towards the Blockhouse and back and stopped and chatted to 2 TMBers. Late afternoon and early evening there is a lot of activity on the mountain which is great to see. The tactic of populating the mountain is the best crime deterrent. When you see women going for a run in pairs or just taking the kids for a walk, you know people feel safe. It's not an excuse to become complacent, but there is the inherent feeling that the authorities and civilians are somewhere in the background (visible or invisible) working on keeping us safe. Part of that feeling of safety is perception too. "We're not quite sure, but let's not take a chance". If that's what the criminal is thinking, we are on the right track. The new TMB motto: "Love it.Respect it.Ride it.

That's why I started out on this hiding to nothing. I want a trail around the mountain. If it means a trail from town to Tokai first, great!In theory, that should be relatively easy to achieve. From the Kloof Nek car park we know the route all the way to Rhodes Memorial, Get access to the jeep tracks heading towards Kirstenbosch.They are wide and can easily accommodate multiple users. Bypass Kirstenbosch via the road reserve ( still gravel) and then back on to the mountain through Cecilia Forest up to Constantia Nek. Hop across the road and we're talking to private land owners pretty much all the way to Tokai. Done!

I was a member of Clovelly Golf Club for years and often raced down the sand track in my old Landcruiser to get to my tee off time on time. As far as I know, the property (to where the tar road begins just short of Silvermine Rd) belongs to the Ackerman family and should not be illegal to ride on a bicycle. Can't say 100%, but during my days at the club, it was never an issue.

I'll stick it on my Forum as well.

While dealing with your friend, I tried to keep the replies general to provide some info to others.

To put this issue about secret trails to bed. Don't tell me, it's not critical to the success of the Forum. We know the areas where illegal riding takes place and will work on that basis. Like the secret surf spots. Closely guarded, but they end up in the Surf Mags eventually.

How much easier would it be if Table Mountain was owned privately?! We are not in the fortunate position of Tygerberg MTB who can call up a farmer, put forward a proposal and get an answer in what "normal" humans see as reasonable time. San Parks function differently. They can't be flexible, they can't make a quick decision. When I started my crusade to get the jeep tracks on Table Mountain marked, my mind told me it was the most logical thing to do and San Parks would agree immediately. Almost 12 months later there is still no signage on the ground, but I am THIS close to getting the signage design approved. The trail map is approved, I just need to know the signage design is approved to add it to the map. Another one or two map tweaks and I can go to print. Whatever issue you tackle with San Parks takes time. They are dealing with individuals coming to them with moans and ideas all the time. Unfortunately for us, they are a Parastatal which has as its primary task the preservation of the mountain. In other words, all of us who seek an intervention on the mountain pose a threat . If I can put it that crudely. There are more and more User Groups wanting something from San Parks: Horse Riders, Dog Walkers,Hikers, Paragliders, Mountain Bikers, Fishermen, Trail Runners, the list goes on. We are one of many groups who are demanding stuff. I am trying to see it from a San Parks perspective as well, when I go and tackle them on a mountain biking issue. The mountain is under siege by all of us. If we as mountain bikers can come up with the right ideas and in the right tone and form a united front, we have a pretty good chance of getting to the front of the user group queue.

As I said earlier on the Thread, perhaps I didn't get my intention across clearly. I, the Forum , don't want your GPS location or Google map of your track, although it would make for a nice map to see all the lines linked up. The motivation is more about seeing which areas, outside of Tokai and Table Mountain CBD side, have a lot of activity. Can these areas be opened up for legal riding? If not, why not? This is what we want to talk to San Parks about. EXAMPLE:The EMP of 2002 ,signed off by San Parks and still valid, talks about establishing a trail from Signal Hill to Cape Point. It's one of the projects we want to tackle and it would be naive of any of us to expect that track would run only on the mountain from the outset. There will be sections which run on the mountain, some which run in the road reserve and some on private land. Once established, one begins dealing with one section at a time , finding a better solution. The primary goal is to get the trail established and then go back to improve it. If a currently illegal trail can help with this, then why not?

It isn't. When asked by the Head Ranger for the Northern section of the park, how they could stop cycling on the non-cycling trails, my answer was simple. You can't. So instead of trying to stop it, why not try and manage it? Managing takes less resources than prosecuting as the riders would take over a certain responsibility as well. If we break the rules, we stand to lose a privilege as well. These are some of the suggestions I put forward: 1.Shared trails with runners and hikers on trial basis. Mark the trail heads, informing the public and see how it goes. Keep a log of complaints and if we coexist, extend the trial period. I proposed the Kramat to View Point trail as it sees heavy use by runners and cyclists already. 2. Shared trails with one-way access for cyclists 3. Open Trail days. Open certain areas of the park once a month for cyclists. 4. Night Rides. There are established night rides in some areas where are not supposed to ride. Make night riding legal in certain areas as there is no conflict with other users at night.The question of disturbing animals may come up,but there are areas like the Green Belt which could be used at night. 5. Instead of us demanding new single track being built off the bat, why not look at the trails already there and see how suitable they are for cycling? Come up with a suitability index and then open up a trail , again on a trial basis. I am referring to the trails outside of the Tokai precinct. I'm sure there are plenty more ideas out there. Those suggestions are also useful and would be appreciated.

Cool. Thanks for playing.

Instead of giving away your precious trail locations, how about general areas? 1.Signal Hill on the Sea Point and Fresnaye slopes. the Kramat to View Point trail 2.Lions Head- the trails around it 3.The Glen downhill track 4.Various tracks leading into Higgovale and Oranjezicht 5.Hiking trail from the Kings Blockhouse towards Tafelberg Road 6. Trail from the Blockhouse towards Newlands.Include the turnstile track 7. Animal tracks in the Rhodes Memorial precinct 8. Newlands Forest , between Rhodes Memorial fence and Kirstenbosch Gardens 9.Cecilia Forest up to the Reservoirs 10. Cecilia Forest to Constantia Nek 11. De Hel 12. Constantia Green Belt, next to Rhodes Drive The list goes on.

Nishiki. Just to be clear. The Table Mountain MTB Forum is not my club. If you want to trash the TMMTB website, then speak to Meurant Botha who whipped it up. We prefer to get things done instead of sitting in meetings and chomping on biscuits. If you want to trash my club, then go to www.tablemountainbikers.co.za , take a look and come back here and vent. If you have something meaningful to contribute, or want more clarity then by all means give me a call on 083 6319796 . If not, then don't call me.

San Parks don't have the resources to close down illegal trails. What can they physically do? Cement up the entry and exit? Put armed guards there? Ranger patrols will remain as thin as they are. They might stumble across a trail, they might not. It could have been there for years ,made by animals, it could have been made last week.

There was an Environmental Management Plan formulated for Mountain Biking in 2002, which pretty much formed the basis for the establishment of the Tokai Trails. That plan has become outdated and needs to be revised, due to the huge increase in mountain biking in general. Tokai can't cope with the rider numbers anymore and there is conflict between San Parks, cyclists and other user groups. San Parks will not deal with individuals and the EMP of 2002 makes provision for an MTB Committee which speaks to San Parks on behalf of Mountain Bikers. This Committee is was named the Table Mountain MTB Forum and the 4 grouping who decided to get if off the ground were Amarider, PPA, Tokai Mtb and Table Mountain Bikers. No properly constituted body to represent Mountain Bikers = No need for San Parks to do anything. Motive: Nobody was else was doing anything to take on San Parks, so we decided to make a Start. Formulate a body San Parks will officially recognise and deal with. The Forum is not exclusive to the 4 founding members. We just got the ball rolling. We want other constituted bodies to join the Forum to make it as representative as possible. Benefit: The Forum fights on behalf of the cyclist. Bring the concerns and ideas to the Forum and we will take the time to hash it out with San Parks. They have said they will listen to the Forum,if it has the support of the mountain biking community. We received that support at the meeting on the 22nd. Purpose: Take a measured approach. Cynics ( I am one of the biggest) believe San Parks will never offer more trail access on the mountain, but I have decided that I am going to do it the legal way and see where that gets me. Along with Amarider,PPA and Tokai Mtb, we think it is possible to get more trail access (share trails with other users) and establish new trails on the mountain. San Parks are starting to change their tune and are asking for our input. They realise that they have to work with Mountain Bikers to keep a handle on the rapid expansion of the sport, but at the same time they see financial benefits as well (Activity Card Sales, access to private funding via the Forum). We say sure, but we need something in return. Activity Card revenue must be used for trail maintenance and building, or at least we as riders need to know where our money is going. Private funding can be used to build more trails, enhance facilities, etc. It's a situation of give and take. San Parks can't just take anymore, they have to give back too. I hope that answers your questions in some way.

We had a public meeting on the 22nd of August to introduce the Forum to riders. We spent R14k advertising in the papers, plus I gave notice of the meeting on the Hub. Go to the website, where you find the Minutes, the Constitution and some info on what the purpose of the Forum is. http://www.tmmtb.co.za If the Minutes of the public meeting are not up yet, apologies. We met yesterday to go through them and amend certain wording in the Constitution which was queried by some in attendance.

Sorry you feel that way. Perhaps I should have phrased my into differently. We, the MTB Forum would like to get an idea of the trails being ridden on the mountain so that we can formulate a strategy based on where the highest concentration of cycling takes place. We are not pencil pushers who don't ride ourselves. We are just as sick and tired of the San Parks rhetoric and that's why we have decided to do something about it. Unfortunately is is not as simple as having a meeting with a ranger and agreeing on a trail that will now be open to cycling, this is a Parastatal we are dealing with, who can't make any quick decisions. There is a lot more to this process than you think, but we have decided that it's time to get San Parks to commit and start offering tangible results. It'll take time and I can't make any promises about what the end result will be. Single tracks all over the mountain, i doubt it. Access to more trails , very possible. When? No idea at this stage, but if you feel you don't need to make a contribution, fine, that's your call. We will work on your behalf and we won't mind if you enjoy the benefits at the end of the process. What the Forum is trying to achieve is an ongoing dialogue with San Parks on behalf of mountain bikers. We will stay in their faces and get the job done.

Morning As the Table Mountain MTB Forum, we want to get an idea of where mountain bikers are currently riding in the Table Mountain National Park precinct and adjacent areas. We want to gather this information to include it in discussions with San Parks around the new Environmental Management Plan (EMP) which has to be formulated , before we can proceed with proposing any new trails in the park. From experience with the current EMP from 2002, any piece of trail which is not part of the EMP is not up for discussion and it becomes a real hassle to get it included. Send us your tracks where you ride, it's mainly the illegal ones we want to include in the bigger picture. Some of these may become legal, who knows. We need your input. Whether you are riding in the park (Cecilia Forest Night Ride, Signal Hill, etc) or in adjacent areas (Constantia Green Belt or on wine farms), we would like to build up a map of the all the areas where riding is taking place. If you ride anywhere from Signal Hill to Cape Point, whether you know it's illegal or are not sure, please send us your tracks. We don't need names and we have no interest in naming and shaming. This is for your benefit and the Forum needs as much information to do a proper job. You can submit information to me at ride@tablemountainbikers.co.za or contact me if you have any questions. All the best Robert

Steristumpie. Any flavour. Check the ingredients on the back of a Nesquik pack and you'll see a lot of similarities to all the other concoctions we throw down our throats. Compared it to the Powerbar recovery product and was surprised how close they are. Not in price though.

I would be seething. It's not like you are buying some small boutique brand, sold from the garage of someone's house. Scott is a big company and needs to be properly represented in the local industry. The agent follows the "Just in Time" logistics and stock principal to minimise expenditure to himself, leaving the LBS looking like a Dick and the customer without a bike. Wonderful!

Plan to ride a couple of hours this weekend with the Q-RIngs. Took the whole week off so as to start fresh as it were. Flipping bump on my ass came back again Eina as crap! Got to let it subside.

weather is looking shiite!

Sorry, I am out today.