Airborne Darren

Yup, yup, yup. More accessible lines, mean more riders, mean more sustainable trails. The best two days I have ever spent on my bike were exploring the trails around Karkloof, and I didn't even get to half of them. But that's because you have a group of guys that understand how to attract riders to a region (Hilton, Mark, Nigel etc). XC, Trail/Enduro, and DH riders are all catered for.

I saw two of these at the Bike Park in Fourways Jhb yesterday. Same build and colour. Either it was you, or Banshee's are getting really popular. I think there was a girl standing next to one, not sure though as I couldn't take my eyes off the bike...

Oh...I forgot one thing. The best upgrade to the bike park are the female trail runners; yoh yoh yoh! Actually there were also some good looking female MTB'ers, but I am generally more interested in their bikes (Banshee with a Pike in the front and DBinline out back).

Hi Hubbers After my rant above the Bike Park Commercial Manager, Marc Fourie, contacted me with an offer to preview the new Zombie Birdhouse trail. So...I went yesterday to have a ride around the new trail. It wasn't completely compacted, with a couple of soft sections and sandy berms. BUT what a cool trail. It is a Green / Blue rated trail with a Black split (only Black due to a big drop-off). Lots of punchy little climbs and plenty of berms. Marc says the trail will be finished and open on the weekend, so go and ride it (just so that's its ridden in next time I go ride). In general, the three new trails in the park are awesome. Everything is rollable (except the obvious jumps and drops on Greenmile), but things get more difficult with increased speed. If you hit each of the new trails back to back you will end up doing about 10km of good techy, flowy riding. Well done Bike Park. Also, the fences around the pump track were being put up last night. Hopefully this reduces the chances of parents getting upset with grown-up riders. Cheers, Darren

Hi PwC BikePark The upgrades to the park are awesome. I was there twice this weekend: on Sat for a kids party, and early on Sun for me to ride. The new trail by the entrance to the park is great, good, twisty, flowy fun. I see Zombie Birdhouse is next on the upgrade list...I cant wait to see what you do there as this was always my favorite part of the park. BUT...you have to make sure that the new trails are properly marked. I am specifically talking abut the exit of the new trail that starts at the park entrance (Rust Remover?). Currently its just a random track joining the perimeter road, and looks inviting for kids to ride up...the wrong way. If you are charging us full price to ride (not sure I am completely happy about this as only half the park is open), then you need make sure people don't get hurt and improve some of the signage. I understand this is a work in progress, and it will be awesome when its done, but please do something about that trail exit.

Its got 5 inches of rear travel (127mm) and comes with a 120mm fork. I will be upgrading my fork to a 140mm as soon as I have some cash.

Or...you could buy the Anthem 29er and Trance 27.5's bastard son. Its called the Trance 29er, and for R25K it will come with a giant dropper (although the 2014 color schemes suck).

Bastards, bastards all of you! Ordered my OneUp 32T and 42T at the end of November (20% off), and it still hasn't arrived. Little did I know that free international delivery meant using the SA post office. My bad.

Didn't realize we rode quite as far as that...maybe it was the Peroni's that made me forget. Thanks to Anton and Carpet for organizing the ride.

Trance X1 29er...she just makes me feel dirty!

Lanseria lunch ride...4th time this week. These are the sort of job perks you cant buy.

I did the 24 hr solo at Van Gaalens last year, and managed 156km (13 laps). One more lap and I would have been in the top 10. This was with 4 or 5 hours sleep and plenty of "social time". Solo is the best way to do this. Get a bunch of mates, camp together, ride together, drink together. Awesome.

Nevermind...got one. Showed one of the guys at work the pics on another forum and scared him into giving me his. Mwahahahahaha

Hey Paulst12. I would be very happy to take your 52km entry off your hands. Send me a message.

But R900 makes trip out to Van Gaalens worthwhile...and it will be empty.