Apologies for long post. First off, THANKS a heap to all land owners/farmers for allowing us onto their properties! You're mighty stars! Then to TMTBC volunteers and people involved: THANKS a ton for all your hard work and time. Mostly free. Most importantly, thanks for all the awesome trails. We are indeed blessed. Also thanks for the feedback/reacting when required. Lesson learnt in terms of communication - never assume. But also, don't take the words of a few to speak for all. Am amazed there are 7000 members! Awesome. Both above parties provide unbelievable opportunities with a rare thank you. My idea, maybe have an event once a year, maybe with a small ride, to meet and greet and share a beer? Apologies if this already done. Takes the people out of obscurity and we have a platform to chat, laugh and engage and thank! Or even offer a small moan or constructive criticism - and getting feedback we never thought of. Reasons why some things work and others not etc. Or join in on trail building stints. I would love to do this, just don't know how. Then, a suggestion to our community of dedicated mtb'ers & keyboard warriors: we all have valid personal opinions, but nobody needs to abide to anybody else's. Also, your set of circumstances, realities are always unique, so you cannot transpose that onto anybody else. Respect is key. If you feel aggrieved, take a breath and read a text again with another approach. Remember tone and meaning is not readable from written words. Lastly re price: how important is your mtb riding to you? Of course costs are a constant juggling act for all of us. Only you can make a decision what it is WORTH for you. Consider though, that we all constantly negotiate and sell things to ourselves before we buy: house, car, mtb or anything else....and it involves compromises. Am I happy that I need to pay more for access to all the trails? Not really, but if I consider that for one less evening of drinks or small meal out, I can have a year full of riding as much as or whenever I want, the choice becomes obvious. What are you willing to give up to gain? Alone the health benefits are obvious. For me, now knowing that more trails will be built is already enough of an argument, never mind that the farmers possibly get more. My calculation: R800 divided by 78 rides a year means it costs me R10 a ride. If you only ride once a week, then it's R15. If you ride less, well then get your ass out there!! PS I was so happy to stumble on happy hops trail today. I will call it happy beer (geddit geddit? Lol), cos it's so close to the Dairy Shed and a rewarding beer. Always missed this trail as I took the lower option. Love riding new trails! Happy Riding everybody!
