Hooch

Hi Guys, I'm looking for some answers to leg burn issues. For the last month - 3 x weekly, I've been going up Tokai Forest main track; turning left, continuing up and then zooming off in all directions. It's obviously been hard work (wasn't very fit couple of months ago) but its been a pleasure and great learning experience. Then one day (following same up & left track as always) I ended up on a track (where the rock fall is) and asked a passing rider where the track went and was told "to the mast". Having plenty of time to play I just carried on. It was hard work but not impossible and I felt good cycling even if a little nervous about the tech sections (big rocks etc) and being so high up. So end result is I got to about 3.5kms on the tar road away from the mast and gave up. Not because of fitness but i'm a bit agrophobic, I was on my own and I'm the first to admit I'm terrified of downhills. So my question is, since I did the mast ride, every time I get on my bike I get leg burn within minutes, to the point of actually struggling to get beyound level 3 in Tokai. I'm signed up for the 30km Die Burgher on Saturday and I'm just a little confused as to why I'm still getting leg burn when the mast ride was over 2 weeks ago. Anyone got any advice please?

Hi Guys, Can anyone give any info on the alledged attack by a suspect with branch who stole two bikes from male and female mtb riders recently in Tokai Forest???

So to everyone who offered great advice re Faerie Garden (FG). Today I went and did FG at least 8 times up and down conintuously until I couldnt see if I was on the up or the down of the track. Yes I fell at least 6 times, but at the end, i'd accomplished completing the whole track (with out bridge section) without falling off. As for the bridge, I did ride it but with one foot down and the only other part of the course I really couldnt do was the drop going into the bridge. other wise, I feel very proud of myself and will continue to make FG part of every ride up Tokai Forest. thanks again for all the advice and support!!! It works Have a great long weekend everyone

ha ha ha i'm following all the comments, they're very cool. And thanks to everyone for being so helpful and friendly I've actually got quite a decent bike - Anthem 1. Its a guy bike (was too great a deal to turn down) and a little too big but love it to bits. Oh also i've only just got cleats so i'm still trying to work out that whole process - did have a couple of styalistic crashes at Hottentot Hollands over the railway line ha ha ah but all good. i've also got a fear of downhill (comes from riding too many crazy racehorses and having some really bad down hill falls back in the earlier days) so now on a bike, i've realised i've got a steering problem in that I freeze on bends, corners etc which i'm sure is very amusing to everyone else - in conjunction with not yet perfecting the cleat release!! i agree that practice, practice, practice is the answer - have to face my fear. I just think i'm lucky to be living so close to Tokai to be able to use these facilities. If at first you don't succeed.............................. I'm going to frikken beat this Thanks again guys.

whoop! whoop! Your a star Thank you

Awesome, thanks once again. Have a great evening guys

OK, Welvenpas sounds good, we'll go check it out Thank you so much for your advice! Much appreciated Oh and more picking of your brains, can you tell me which is the best website to visit that gives all the upcoming MTB events?

Have to wait till end of month and get activity card, Then I can go up and down FG and where ever I want in Tokai on a more regular basis. Thor, thanks for the Oak Valley advice, Hubby and I are going to get out there as well and i'm sure i'll do better there On Pub Hol Monday coming, we off to Paarl (taking bikes as well) can you suggest anywhere that's good for us to ride and practise?

lol DJR, yep that was actually me and hubby walking over the wooden bridge section. i'd already lost it by then!!! A couple of friends have really written themselves off (Air lift jobs) from Tokai so i'm not taking any chances I know my limitations.

Lol, thanks so much Thor, I was very disheartend but you've made my day Mission is to keep hitting FG until I don't feel over faced

Hi Guys, I've just started MTB cycling again after 4 yrs and have only just done the 10km Tru Cape and the 15km Hottentot Hollands in the last 6 weeks. Yesterday I went up to Level 2 at Tokai Forest and on the way back, came down via Faerie Garden and Kuked myself? Admittedly it was after the weekends rain but still? For some reason I found Faerie Garden a nightmare.............. so I wanted to ask, is Faerie a novice downhill track? I do consider myself a novice but very disappointed that I felt overfaced on FG