Hellwarp

TRAIL NOTICE: Please take note that Vine restuarant (previously Radish) is no longer a starting point for Bottelary Hills Conservancy MTB trails. In other words day permits can no longer be purchased there. Parking at that venue is no longer allowed either. Please use either Hazendal or Devonvale Golf Estate as alternatives.

We have opened two new sections of trail. The first section (blue) gives riders starting form Hazendal and Zevenwacht the opportunity to ride to Protea Alley and Fish Eagle via long green without having to follow the red route. To get to this new section follow long green and then take the normal route that leads towards the Ystervark single track (the ST with the switchbacks going down into Wolfkloof). You will find the split to your right just before you get to the U-turn onto the jeeptrack. The second new section is an easier option on the red route that eliminates the Welgelegen climb taking you directly to the yellow route and Fish Eagle single track, where you will also rejoin the "normal" red route. See the maps below for details.

Hi Rouxenator If all goes according to plan we looking to integrate in about 3 years time. We thought we'd draw out the suspence and give the new trails time to compact nicely. (tongue firmly in cheek) Seriously though, its all part of a number of build projects we have lined up for this year, some require authorisation from Dept Enviromental Affairs before we can go ahead. Once the trails are ready and the relevant signage is in place we'll put out a trail notice.

Trail notice: run-offs have been opened up on Mongoose singletrack to guide rainwater off the trail.

Thanks for the heads-up Thanks for the heads-up Mountain Lion

Hi pgp Thanks for notifying us, we also have a report of guys riding with lights this evening in that same area. Not endorsed by us so we are busy investigating the matter. Instances like these that end up with trails being closed.

TRAIL NOTICE GREEN LOOP: The landowner is installing an underground irrigation pipe along the top of Mooiplaas (see pink line), use the yellow option in the meantime. Should re-open by weekend.

Trail notice: tomorrow (sat 5th march) a motor cross event will take place on Welgelegen Farm. More specifically the area at the top of Welgelegen climb.Their track will cross singletrack in 2 or 3 places and share a piece of jeeptrack. All these will be marked with danger tape to indicate caution. The motorcyclists will also be briefed beforehand to lookout for cyclists. The event will take place betwen 09h00 and 14h00. Please be vigilant.

TRAIL NOTICE: take note that we have rerouted the red/purple route at the end of the single track over the open field (see image). This was requested by the landowner who had a couple of near collisions with riders going flat-out through the cutting (middelmannetjie) without looking out for tractors or other farm vehicles. The new corner section at the bottom is very loose and needs to be ridden in. The red line is the "old" route and the yellow line the "new" route.

TRAIL NOTICE !! The Landowner of Fort Simon has informed us of riders deviating from the agreed upon route and taking a shortcut through his farmyard. He has large dogs for security and on two occasions (this week alone) they have had to call the dogs off cyclists in their yard. The 3 most important trail rules are simple: 1. Do not ride the trails without the required permit 2. Do not stray off the marked routes 3. No night riding Riders who transgress can consider themselves banned from our trails. Their names will also be passed on to Amarider. We simply cannot tolerate blatant disregard any longer.

Map should be available on the website in a few days ...

Our 2016 Bottelary Hills MTB Annual permits are now available online. Please note that permits will only be available for purchase online and no longer in store. Collect your bikeboard from the "pick-up" point you select when you purchase. The online shop allocates a permit number to each purchase, so you can only purchase one permit per transaction. Once purchased you will receive a proof of purchase via the email you entered during registration, your permit number will be indicated on this. Make a printout and take it along when you collect your bikeboard. http://bottelaryconservancy.co.za/mtb/permits/

a) Rooikat is optional to the green route and red route b) the "shortcut you refer to is one direction for both green and red (south westerly) there is a separate existing link (North easterly) via a short ST section for riders wishing to include Rooikat in green. We are currently busy with mapping updates

Ja ok. well then no wonder you got lost. There's certainly no route marker there directing you to "go right" up a hill a landy can't climb (ok maybe a toyota will climb it). Once again stay on the marked routes and trust the signage.

Thanks for the feedback. Scenarios like yours are not something we hear often, if at all. I think your main issue was trying to find a route to "the mast". There is no route that leads to a mast, "Kaapzicht killer" is simply the name of one of the climbs as is "Welgelegen". Bear in mind it was your first visit and no doubt next time you'll find your way round. You need to decide which route you want to take and trust the signage. Some may be far apart but you follow the way directed until you reach the next route marker. The maps on our website as slightly dated but the "trail descriptions" are up to date as far as grading and distances etc are concerned.

Will remove it on moday. Thanks

Update re Radish day permits: Day permits can be bought from Ons Genot Guesthouse which is on the same premises as Radish Restaurant. Radish will be closed for renovations for the next couple of months. Please note that parking is not allowed in front of Ons Genot Guesthouse - use the parking on the left hand side as you enter through the gates. There is signage directing you to permit sales and parking respectively.

Radish Restaurant has been sold and will, until further notice, not sell day permits. This should be a temporary arrangement so in the meantime buy your day permits from hotel reception at Devon Vale Golf club - 1 km further down Bottelary road direction Stellenbosch. They are open 24/7. Also take note that until the end of August, Hazendal day permit sales will only be from 9 am at the main restaurant, the coffee shop is temporary closed for construction work.

I understand why people get concerned about safety while out riding and it's something we all have in the back of our mind, not just on the trails but at home, at work etc. While its important to notify others of events regarding safety I think its equally important to get the true story heard. We all live with enough stress and we do not need to amplify that by altering what transpired with a different version. Being out on the trails should be the one place we can relax and get away from it all. Our trail system is an invaluable source of funds for the Bottelary Hills Conservancy. The funds are used to maintain and build new trails, fund alien clearing projects, administration costs etc etc. If those funds dry up we simply would not to be capable of maintaining the current trail system and everybody loses, the cyclists, the Conservancy and a string of other businesses that benefit from the proximity of the trails. Crime in our country is of major concern and we need to communicate to keep one another safe, but don't sensationalise or create hype which could have unintended consequences to the sustainability of something we're actually trying to preserve.

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If you read the comments on that post it may be that the two dodgy characters may have been having an altercation of their own. That said, one can understand why the rider, upon approaching them got concerned and opted to turn around and avoid confronting them. It was the sensible thing to do.

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Hi Nico. Not sure where you read "attempted mugging". This is what transpired as posted on our Fb page: "We got word of an incident on our trails on Sunday morning (26/7/2015). I made contact with the rider involved. He was cycling along the brick rd link between Radish and the red route, returning to Bottelary rd. He noticed two teenagers(+- 17yrs) standing either side of the road, as he approached the one picked up a brick while the other already had a brick in hand. Not sure what they would do the rider made a u- turn and took an alternative route to Bottelary rd. Nobody was hurt or robbed and the rider made the right decision to avoid confrontation. If anyone experiences a similar situation please go to the nearest farmhouse and notify someone so it can be dealt with asap. While we have not had any attacks on cyclists on our routes in the 4 yrs we've been open we cannot absolutely guarantee your safety. So be vigilant, avoid confrontation if possible and report any incident you may be involved in.

2015 half year permits now available. See website for more info http://bottelaryhillsmtb.co.za/?page_id=439