Wendell

Hello Singletrek, it's not as easy as I thought. I cannot speak on behalf of the CGC program, but Kieth O'Leary and I are looking at a series to be done between Bambeli, The Vlei and Thaba. Major problem is sponsors because there are certain costs that must be paid... Medic main concern. I am interested in how many would ride if there was an entry fee of R80 per rider with NO...prize money..NO medals... NO goody bags... and NO other aim but to get guys and girls to experiance cross country racing ( lap racing ) Are there any riders interested in doing a XC time trial series. We have the two race trails 1) 2.5km less technical and 2) 4,5km tester.we will look at doing these time trials on a Sunday morning, say 8.30 to 10 doing the short one and then 10 to 12 doing the longer one. If there is interest we will put these on...but not the usual initial rush that becomes a no go after one or two attempts. To get confirmation of the happenings will mean that you watch the Thaba webb page or register with Thaba to recieve any related news.

thanks Ben, will be there for four tomorrow.

If only I could....I would get the maps of the trails onto this site. HOWEER, I am sure I can get it onto our WEB site. The sprogs,nippers and sports cat will be doing laps of 2,5km. It may seem short but it is a tester for these little okes. We have taken out some steep and technical sections which will be found in the main trail. The main trail is a 4,5km lap. I feel it is awesome and deffinately going to be a hard ride. I would imagine the elite riders will be doing about 22min per lap so it obviously not an easy ride. We will be doing laps on Saturday 25th from 7am and then again on Saturday the 3rd. The trail will be marked by this Friday so go and have a blast.

Entries will be on the day. Trails are open and will be marked by Friday for riding this weekend.

Hello Ouzo, firstly I must apologise for not coming back to you. I have no excuse if I did that and I agree it is not acceptable. I will take the matter up and will see to it that it doesn't happen with anyone else in the future. Thank you for the mention.

Hey Dustbin, the trails are awesome. We have NOT had much rain on the trails and the run off is fantastic. In the valley we do have small areas of that black soil which is a pain, but this also is totally rideable. You will however notice that we are struggling to keep up with maintanance due to the new sections we are trying to complete so there will be sections of a bit of brush growth, but nothing to spoil your ride. Afterall this is mountainbiking at it's best. I can't gaurentee that it's NOT going to rain over the weekend...the weather man can't even get it right.

Dobby, we are at 101 Klipriver Drive, Mulbarton, in the South of Johannesburg the shopping center we are close to is the Panorama shopping center with a big pick n pay.As you can see..Saturday 7pm Sunday 6pm

There will be two group rides at Thaba this weekend. Saturday morning at 7am and Sunay morning at 6am. These will not be race pace but rather a good talk and ride group. Please remember the green route has been labeled " JHB's Touhgest trail " so don't expect it to be an easy lipstick ride. The ride should take about 3hrs with an escape route at the halfway mark for those who feel that it is too much.... are you up to the challenge?

Well said, and best protection plan in the world

Thanks man, always a pleasure to have you guys who enjoy a challange. See you soon.

gates open at 6.30am. last one in at 5pm.tomorrow night at 6pm we are doing a night ride at Thaba

will we see you at Thaba tonight...even if I am leaving for Sabie early in the morning. 6pm

we will try and keep it going. see you tonight

Hello Judge, a pity you didn't just pop into the little kiosk as you were leaving and we could have had a chat. The differences between Thaba and the vlei in my opinion are as follows..The Vlei is a bike park. The trails have become easier as we have cleared most of the technical challenges out of the intermediate (GREEN) trail. It has become rider friendly for the family as well as riders who are making the transision from road to MTB. It is not a technical ride anymore. Thaba Trails on the other hand is a nature park with MTB trails. The intermediate (GREEN) trail is a technical ride. If you do the yellow 2 route which is our core ride you will cover 15km. The green sections loop off and come back onto the yellow route. I suggest you do the yellow ride, select a green loop and once you are excited and have improved your skills then move onto the next one...and eventually you will be riding the blue routes as well,which are for skilled riders only. I can,but don't always ride the whole trail as there is always an eliment of chance.I showed the group I was riding with yesterday... I didn't want to chance a fall because of Sabie Experiance this week end... I walked in places as nothing is too difficult to walk. I ask for patiance with markings, as we are trying to complete the 40km loop before the end of the year and then we will start honing the trails. In hind sight, mabe we should not have opened the trails until we are 100% happy with the product.. but....it's mountainbiking at its best..right here in the city.please enjoy!! ps. did you see the baby wilde beest, we saw the latest one that was just born it kept falling over as it tried to run with it's mother, it was so young

Eldron, thanks for taking the trouble to make a comment. Where have you been racing? Definately not on race days at Rietvlei. My humble opinion of cross country racing is almost as you have put it.Cross country racing is about speed and bike handling skills and not doing a bike test over rough terrein. I have been critisised for taking all the rocks out of my race courses and thereby the technical sections as well. If you have found that in a race we make it too difficult please come show me and I will do my best to accomodate you.Fast and flowing.... nothing could have been closer than the 24 hour route of last weekend. The Japanese garden was restructured just prior to the National in June and there were humps and bumps, short climbs and if we had done much more we would have been forced to tar it. Cross country is for the riders with technical skills, fountains, Phambili Cascades and where we will race the nationals in July, Mankele are very similar, and in some instances way more technical / rocky than the Vlei. Thaba, there have been no races there as we only started building the trails in June this year. The planned race route is NOT going to be an easy ride.. plenty of up hills and down hills and in my opinion a "testing " trail, but what do we aspire to if we just have easy rides.Come ride with me and help me to make the perfect trail, I would really appreciate the help.... it is like us marking a trail... we ride it daily and work on them daily so we don't always see the obvious errors... but thank you I have noted your opinion.

Yes, we try and keep it going but it will slack off over the next few weeks but we will push it again in January.

JC, look forward to seeing you there. Meet at the pool and lets have a chat.We staying at Merry Pebbles...n you?

Man thats cool... you guyd don't realise how we (Dads) appreciate and enjoy riding with you guys. I am also one of the privilaged ones to be riding with my son... What cat are you.. we have to race JV I think it is. Staying at Merry Pebbles. We should meet around the pool and share war stories. Have a blast and never mind the weather as long as your together,,,

Hi Singletrack, Yes, it will be cross-country events. I have the most exciting 5,5km lap but it is NOT for the faint hearted but very good training for the upcoming nationals at Mankele in July.Do you think there will be some support as I have organized events before and had little support. Is it because most riders don't like or can't ride technical... not sure.

Hi Guys n Girls,watch this space for upcoming cross country events...nearly finalised my proposed events for next year. Hope we can get the numbers.

No event can be a success without ALL the participants. So I humbly thank each and everyone of you who participated in making my dream come true...the riders,The sponsors,the trail builders,the medics,the officials,Kempton Park Pipe Band,Lee, my wife and mostly the LORD for blessing me with such an "AWESOME" weekend. Thank You

Online entries for the Vlei 24 Hour event close at midnight on Wedenesday 30 November. Get down to the web site to view all info/rules and to enter. There are still a few camp sites available (1st come 1st serve - no additional charge). If you want to book your space, call Lee on 011 867 8047 NOW!!

With humility we thank you Barry.... "sick" is not on our minds although "green" with envy from those who are not able to get out South to experience what i reckon will be our " whisler" answer...not that we have that sort of terrein but we will do the best with what we've got. We just need more riders as we cannot keep up with the maintainence since the welcome rains have come....settling the trails. I am doing a three hour ride on Sunday morning starting at 7...I THINK, DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER...phone me to confirm 0829000749 all welcome!!!

Early bird entries for THE VLEI 24 HOUR closed at midnight last night and we are pleased to announce that SIMON BAILEY has won the SIGMA KARMA light valued at R1800 sponsored by OMNICO......THANK YOU..THANK YOU THANK YOU....for the sponsorship OMNICO and thank you for your entry SIMON. ONLINE Entries close on the 2nd DECEMBER.....

The early bird entries are closed and the winner IS..... will announce it later as it is being drawn by an independant, reliable, honest,unpaid...non-participating person.....