LanceB

SC in its natural habitat and therefore at its happiest: hunting down some fire(trails).

I'll be following this thread with curiosity.

“It is us withholding funds because we are not happy with branding going up at our expense.” Trailmansam, If you are not a commercial entity, how do you calculate the expense? If you are not a rival bike brand, how do you ascertain the concept of Scott’s branding being present at your expense? The lot of a principled volunteer is not one which sits easily in the commercial world. But as I said previously: if the issue here is credit, how should we justifiably apportion it? I have worked on projects, found crucial solutions, only to see a team leader take all the credit. If the project is delivered within scope and cost, on deadline, and I do not get a sticky star on my forehead come performance review time, well, it happens. Often. Solutions? Because the issue at hand would appear to an abstract one. I asked about build days or the Jonkershoek trial fund account number. And no answer, so one must assume the conflict is not about funding or manpower assistance, but rather credit. And that is not going to be easily solved when a commercial interest sits so close to a volunteer build organisation. If Mr.T does not remove the signs, are we going into a total impasse? Is this 1986?

There appear to be two points of contention: credit and assistance. If the issue is financial assistance. Let us open and publicise a private trail fund and contribute to it. Conversely, if the issue is mechanical assistance: make a call to action for volunteer build days, which I cannot ever remember being made. The work done there is of a very high standard and skill, perhaps volunteers would just be a hindrance, considering how pedantic Cape Pine appear to be about access, vehicles, equipment use. Keen amateurs could be destructive, despite good intentions. If the issue is credit, well, that is a point of true contention. How does one show benevolent appreciation for the work being done? Do we have a braai or a trail appreciation day (similar to the Red Bull opening of Full Nelson in Squamish?).

Trailmansam "Because of the lack of current maintenance the trails are in bad shape - not all, but some." The new line through the Slangpad section with the three jumps, which was closed and then reopened, very recently? Is this the last maintenance to have been done, or an indication that there is a discrepancy in the timeline or uniformity of the maintenance embargo? This is not a factious question. "Individuals are spending their own (key word) money and time to fund the building and maintenance of the trails that you ride in Jonkers." Institute a private trail fund account, which I do think does exist. I'll deposit. Many others too, I suspect. It will give those without the time and geographic proximity to Jonkershoek for spadework (like myself), and happen to use it often over weekends, a stake in the maintenance. "Cape Pine will close the trails FOR EVER if riders get injured and they try to recover medical expenses from Cape Pine because of no maintenance on the trails." They are not quite Sappi's Karkloof operation. Noted. One does not wish to go beyond the tipping-point. As a test case: has there been a closure at a very popular, high-use mountain bike venue in South Africa due to an injury claim compensation being instituted?

"Essentially that building is a Heritage / protected building just by its age alone. So, essentially, there should have been application to erect signage with the Heritage Department of the Western Cape Government, as well as the local authority... Did that happen? " Can you hear it? Oh wait, yes, I think that perhaps that is the sound of a digital penny dropping? Trailmansam, when in doubt, turn to the building code.

Trailmansam... "Specialized wants to remove their branding and has agreed that it should be a brand free zone." Then they are moving with the higher principle. Let us hope it has the desired consequence.

"is way out of character for the building and history of the area" - now that is the axiom of a proper argument Pain or Shine.

MTB_Roadie "I went to Jonkershoek and their trails is okish" - Not quite, which is why this pending issue is of most primary importance. Jonkershoek is the closest thing we have to proper Alpine riding preparation. Truthfully: the only way this Friday could get worse would be a WhatsApp confirming the in-laws have arrived for a surprise weekend visit in the Cape.

All told it is a most unfortunate state of affairs Matt, somehow I doubt he would have validated such an overly emotional and dramatic statement, especially one with a surfeit of exclamation marks and posted with relative anonymity on a very public forum. That said: in principle I have much sympathy for his position.and understand the frustration at what is seen as ambush marketing. Practically, though: how much time is spent and awareness absorbed at the gate as opposed to the shop a bit further down the road, or at the trail drop-in points? If we are going to qualify it in pure marketing value? I do enjoy the place muchly and do the Waterfront-to-JK-and-back commute three times a week just to ride there. Drastic action will be an undesirable for my riding and trail enjoyment. Logging is a fluid dynamic of JK and a variable there is little control over. There are similar issues in BC. One could only hope for some constructive engagement when it is done, though that is perhaps overly optimistic.

"WE ARE NOW PROCEEDING WITH THE PHYSICAL CLOSURE OF SOME OF THE TRAILS AS WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO FACE POSSIBLE LEGAL ACTION FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON THE TRAILS Which trails are being closed? I assume Bobby was notified about this call to action and it therefore carries his full support?

Eraser: Lefty's are within the fold of their skill-set if I recall. Ample parking and easy in-and-out access off Eastern and the N2 too.

Rear suspension travel? 140mm? SuperMax Lefty portside up front, it would appear.

"Thanks for the feedback! Appreciate it The video had to be shot 100% on a GoPro so unfortunately no focus pulls or 130mm-plus shots could be used." You have all the correct ideas and the riders. Get some better DSLRs, set the alarm for 4am - and make an epic video. Looking forward to some more footage from you guys in future.

Good bits: Clever concept, with nice narrative details - somebody clearly story-boarded this properly, unlike the now familiar "let's just go ride and see what happens" fare. Riding is of a particularly high quality, which is crucial. Less stellar elements: Lighting is abysmal: you need to get there between 6 and 7am, or 18:30 to 19:20, those Forrest shadows and burnt highlights are substantial debits. The links could use some focus pulls for better transitions, and some 130mm-plus shots to compress the background on those long run-ins would be nice. Notable potential though, for future collaborations between whoever shot, produced this and the riders involved.