Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

damn. Beat me to it!

Yeah, treated pine is easy to replace & cheap, but the cost over the longer term (more than 2 years) would be higher than getting proper wood to do it with. As for the closing of the trails, it depends on the trail itself. Like the work we did this weekend, we didn't have to close the trail because we weren't altering a portion to the extent that it would render that portion unrideable. However, if we were to repair the bridge, that portion of Vasbyt would have to be closed until work had been finished. That's not a problem though, because there is already a "chicken run" divert in place which would enable the trail to remain open. Whenever any jumps are made, I would imagine that the trail itself would remain open unless the jump went over the whole width of the trail, or if the trail itself was being changed and it was dangerous to ride whilst the work was going on...

We also removed that snakebiter of a rock on the landing line... little bugger was getting a lot of rubber-coated action there!

I like it dirty...

Bada bing! Also need proper nails to secure. But yeah, it has lasted well, considering. Also considering the fact that there were countless times that I placed my not inconsiderable bulk on the bridge in question. I might have contributed to the degradation of the bridge!

Unfortunately, the cost either has to come out of the TMNP / SANParks budget (not likely) or out of our own pockets, or as a result of sponsorship. Pain or Shine has done A LOT - I say again - A LOT! - of work on this (it is effectively him that has engaged in talks with the powers that be, and gained a lot of traction there) but I say again, we can only repair existing or make new if we have the permission to. And permission is not blanket - it applies to only that thing which has been approved. As for the bridge though, that needs work done to it. I reckon we'll get it done on our next visit. As for NEW bridge sections, that MIGHT be possible. For the wood, we need to source GUM, or treated hardwood before we can build a lasting structure. The fallen gum in Tokai gives a VERY good base from which to work, but is not uniform in size so cannot really be used for bridgework or anything other than berm / dropoff & jump building.

Ah. Right. That is the one that should be receiving attention very soon. It's also helluva sandy at the landing area, so that needs to be cleared as well... In the meantime, just take the RH fork. Not as fun, but there are a couple of small rollers that you could jump from. Unfortunately these things take time, and we just couldn't do it yesterday because we didn't have the relevant tools.

Which one? If you're talking about the one at the very bottom of Vasbyt, just after it forks, then that bridge is going to get some work VERY soon. It is a bit dangerous in its current state, and needs to be fixed. Will do re including you in the build / maintenance sessions! Your name is now on the thread, so no need to worry about lists or anything.

yeah, neither can I! We were constantly checking the lines & the viability of the changes that we were making... I'm gonna ride it this arvo, if I can... Shot bro, positive encouragement always helps! And kids aren't an excuse. Just palm them off to the wife and claim some "man time". It's also a helluva good workout, so it'll be good for you! Not every corner, but the VERT option isn't there. It would eliminate too many riders due to the technical skill needed to ride them properly. The boxed drop-offs and bridges, though, are a definite possibility. IF WE BEHAVE! Watch this space though...

Oh, and we have created runoffs for the water to go off the trail, rather than pooling at the low points...

Edit - I see your edit, David... Thanks mate. It just really irks me to see all the illegal trails that go up, and to know that for every trail/diversion that is put up without planning approval is effectively a smack in the face when it comes to getting approval for future building. And no, I don't wanna be paid (unless it's in the form of a cold Label at the end of the day!) We spent approx 4 hours on the mountain, doing work on erosion control and other enhancements to the trails... I tell you, a beer would have been WONDERFUL!

No, this is exactly the attitude that has created much of the tension between the trail builders and TMNP / SANParks. The trails that are there are approved. We are not allowed to build any new trails (and that includes diverts, re-routing existing trails, creating alternates to existing routes, or just creating a new path when the existing path is not to your liking) If you do not want to ride a certain section of the trail, get off and walk it. If you have slower riders in front of you, ask POLITELY to come past. If they move off the centre of the trail, then pass. If not, then practice your slow-moving handling skills. Ride THROUGH the water. Or around it. DO NOT just create a diversion because you are being held up by someone, or you don't want your bike to get dirty. That makes the trail-builders' efforts to create a happy relationship between "us and them" (them being TMNP & Mnr Botha) increasingly harder. As for the Permits, they go to SANParks as a whole, and are there in order to provide money for the budgets of ALL their parks. The fact that we, as MTBers, pay to use the trails, is warranted. After all, it is a revenue-creating opportunity, and that revenue helps make provision for new trails, maintenance as well as salaries for the staff who man the area, and the SANParks officials on site. If Mnr Botha sees an illegal trail (and he WILL find them if they are there - he lives on site) he WILL clamp down on the maintenance of the trails, as well as ANY potential NEW trails. It is for this very reason that we were not allowed vehicular access to Tokai this weekend, in order to DO the very maintenance that we crave. As my post pointed out, there IS work being done. There WILL be new trails. EVENTUALLY. But every time an illegal diversion or trail crops up, the efforts to get in are undermined, and relations get strained. In the meantime, just ride the trails as they are. Instead of trying to find diversions, try different lines into the corners, or just don't brake into them. Try to extend YOUR experience & skill before undermining the work that goes into the trails. It is getting better, but please, be patient. We are working as volunteers, after all. Maybe try to come along to one of the sessions, and you'll understand what goes into the management of this wonderful place that we have...

Hi guys, Well, Pain or Shine and I made a few changes to Faerie Garden and the bottom end of Vasbyt yesterday... Basically a bit of erosion control, and some maintenance after the rains we have been having recently. The most amount of time was spent clearing out pockets of water in the low-lying areas of the trails. Specifically in Faerie Garden and one particular corner on Vasbyt. We created runoffs for the water to carry on down the mountain, instead of just pooling in one place where it was creating huge potential for erosion of the existing trail. Also cleared most of the mossy layer from the Faerie Garden bridge, which wasa getting pretty treacherous for those crossing it. We cleared some of the alien vegetation from the middle of Vasbyt, to make sure that the corners aren't so blind for those riding for the first time. One of the more noticeable changes / removals was of a large root just before the first plank jump in the switchback section of Vasbyt. It was creating an erosion nightmare, as well as ruining the line for the plank jump as you first had to traverse the root before setting up for the plank jump. But the most noticeable difference is where the barbed wire USED TO BE! We have cleared that, as well as created a berm at the top end of the corner so that you can pump off that into the corner. We also removed a couple of those dreaded roots at the bottom of the corner, that were jutting off the dead tree-stump. More work will follow, but the message from myself and Pain or Shine is this - enjoy the trail, but please don't try to alter anything or create new trails when the existing ones aren't to your liking. There is a lot of work that goes into getting acceptance for the trails to be enhanced, as well as to even gain access to the mountain armed with a spade and an axe. If people just try to create trails that haven't been approved, then the prospect of future trail building will go up in a puff of smoke. And to point this out, there was an unautorized bypass in Faerie Garden. It had to be closed. If left open, it would create untold problems for us all. Erosion, maintenance and trail-approval related. Enjoy the trails!

+1. Solid bike, and at that price point you'll never get a light-as-feathers frame & parts list. Upgradeable as feck though...

On hardpack and dry rock, yeah. But throw them a bit of mud and they scream like Lady Gaga riding her Disco Stick. Not good at anything other than hardpack, rock or gravel. Heck, they're borderline on gravel, and the mud will just stick to the b4sterds.

Haha! Crow, I agree with ya on the Weirwolfs - got one on the front and a Wolverine on the back. But I think that it would shed its blocks after coming within 200m of tar! Awesome tires though. I've got the 2.3 UST's.

Revolution are fantastic for guys in town, as are Action cycles. Constantia side, there is Epic Bike Shop. You can't go wrong there (if you're looking for MTB, that is!)

At the price point & spec level of that bike, the heaviest item is the fork, without a doubt. My old Suntour fork weighed in at a hefty 3.1kg! I shaved off 1.6kg by just buying a REBA fork. You'll get FAR more value out of an upgraded fork than the upgraded wheelset!

Ditto...

Yep. True dat. I;m thinking of getting an AM bike for my next ride. Maybe a Da Bomb Cherry Bomb with a Lyrik on the front. Looks pretty. ANd goes, by the sounds of things.

Would that mate of yours be the artist-formerly-known-as-capricorn-and-now-known-as-jarek-whyishesococky? Ridden his FRO. First time on a DH bike, and I was a bit apprehensive at the feeling of sitting on a couch as I went down. But the way it handles those drops and jumps?! My oh my. I almost had a crisis.

And you've just ruined all my dreams. POOF! There they go. I was busy dreaming about my supersized Boxxer race & HIGH ROLLER endowed M9 FRO and how I'd look cooler than a stormtrooper while bombing down the DH runs in Tokai, going back to the car and then picking up my XC bike for some DJ action. But it seems as if you'd be koeler as ekke. Sniff.

I want all 3. DH, AM & my current XC machine. ALL with the g-dropper.

Yessir, Oh Mega Man. Or should I say... Dr Makulu>?

Father Jack realized that aaaages ago. DId you ever see the episode of Father Ted when he sobered up?