dirtman

Waiting for enough rain .............

Yes, all the way around to link up on the Wolwedans side.

New blue route - about 7 km with at least 5 km of new single track. Should finish building by next Friday - then another week for signposting, sorting out snags, etc.

Ribbok singletrack has been repaired and is open for riding. The extension section on the top however will remain closed, as we need to rebuild most of that section.

We have finished marking the routes today and will test ride it tomorrow (except the 60 km - don't have legs for that!) to ensure all the markers are in place. Just a few comments re the route: - The 60 km will be brutal. It will be harder than the Trailseeker. You will suffer big time if you are not fit. If you struggle on the day, rather divert to the 45 km route when you get to the different route splits. - The same applies to riders doing the 45 km - if you struggle, divert to the 25 km before you go over the top to Contermanskloof. Once over the top, you are in for the whole 45 km - there is no turning back and no escape routes on Contermans. You need to make this call at the first water table on top of Bloemendal where the routes split. - The organisers will monitor the temperature on the day and may decide on cut-off times at certain points on the route. If implemented, strugglers will be instructed to divert to shorter route options. - Road works on the top of St. Johns prevented us from exiting via the small Tygerberg MTB club gate as originally planned, resulting in all routes (except the 5 km) going back to the gate at the top of Odendaal road. This will add another climb and also an extra kilometer or two to some of the routes. - Make sure you have enough sealant in your tyres. Don't even think of riding with tubes (12 km riders should be okay with tubes, as the loop over Altydgedacht is largely thorn-free.)

Rode it last year without a GPS - no need for one, unless you plan to win the race! More than enough riders to follow.

Please note that the Fish Eagle single track (yellow route) has been diverted after the "river" section below the dam wall due to fire damage on the rest of the trail. Please follow the temporary signage (red arrows on yellow background) until further notice.

There is a bush fire on the Fish Eagle single track - will investigate tomorrow (Monday) and give feedback. In the meantime please do not ride the yellow route until further notice.

The 99er MTB race on 22 April has a 5 km short route for the kiddies.

See the link below for a nice review and pictures of the trail http://cycleculture.bike/exploring-roam-rooiberg/

LeoKnight LeoKnight Posted Today, 20:36 I REALLY enjoy Yellow / Blue / Green, but have not yet done the orange one, how would describe it? ______________________________________________________________________ Orange route is for beginners only - flat jeep track and farm roads.

Please post under Bottelary Hills MTB Trails. Have answered the question re orange route there.

Rode all the different route options this morning to check the route markers. Found one pole that was down on the red route, but it has no effect on staying on the route - there is a well defined path to follow. Rest of the markers were all in place, so I am not sure how riders manage to get lost. The markers are there, you must just look for them. Also, at the splits there are maps and signs explaining the options (see examples). At various points the route back to the different starting points are also posted. The only signs that are a problem, are the big maps at the entrances that are faded. They will be replaced this year.

R50

Buying a permit at Engen Soneike and starting your ride from Hazendal will cut out one big climb from Zevenwacht and will let you finish your ride with one of the best single track sections on the route. From Hazendal - go out of the gate, cross the tar road and turn right. Entrance to the route is 70 meters further down to your left - look for pink arrows. Follow pink arrows to where it links with the green route. Follow green route till where it meets with red on top of Kaapzicht Killer (big climb!). Turn left following the red arrows and stay on red all the way around till you meet up again with green about 20 km later. Follow green back home to Hazendal - wiil give a ride of about 40 km and just under 3 hours, depending on how fit you are. If you want a longer ride with more singletrack, then also ride the blue and yellow routes on the Stellenbosch side. Both split from the red route and link up again with the red route. Most of the splits will also have signs directing you back the different starting points. I will be at Hazendal at 5.45 am tomorrow morning to start riding at 6 am - we will be riding all the different route options. You are welcome to start with us and I will get you onto the correct route - if our pace is okay for you, you are welcome to ride with us. Just look for a bike with a bright yellow MARSHAL bike-board.

It is Friday so here goes: There is no such thing as a "free" trail (not talking about jeeptrack or Koeberg). Each and every piece of single track has to get build by someone and maintained by someone. The "free" trails such as Majik Forest, G Spot, Eden, the trails in Stellenbosch, the green-belt route, etc. were paid for with the sweat of the trail-builders and/or financial support by institutions such as Tygerberg MTB club, PPA, Stellenbosch Trail Fund, Amarider, etc. That trail you ride for "free" is not going to maintain itself - someone is going to fork out money or effort (or both) to ensure that trail remains in a rideable condition. So, even if you don't have to buy a permit to ride certain trails, you ride is not really "free". Someone is paying for your ride! So, when you ride these "free" trails, consider making a donation to whatever institution or person is responsible for that trail you ride for "free".

Just back from Ribbok single track. Fire is out - still some smoke here and there from roots that are still smouldering . Area that burned not too big - minimal damage to trails. Trailblazers crew busy clearing the trails and doing repairs. All sections will be open for riding from tomorrow - just take it easy through the burnt sections as the edges of the trail are loose in places where burning roots caused holes or had to be dug out.

Fire has flared up again as a result of the wind. Same caution as before - stay away from forest area on top of the hill.

Fire has been put out - just hope it does not flare up again due to the wind. Please avoid that area today and tomorrow. Trailblazers crew will move in tomorrow to clear the trails where necessary. All the single track sections in the forest should be open this weekend.

Please take note that there is a fire in the forest section (Ribbok single track). Avoid that area till further notice. Will post updates as more info becomes available.

Placed my first order ten minutes ago and paid by EFT - already got my confirmation e-mail - so it seems EFT is the way to go.

How about some Shimano brake pads? http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/bbb-disc-pads-shimano

Maxis Crossmark 29'er please!

Spoke to Emirates this morning. The explanation I got was as follows: - up to 150 cm; can check the box in as part of your normal baggage allowance - over 150 cm but not exceeding 300 cm; can still check the box in as baggage on your flight, but you will pay 75 dollars per trip (in my case to Zurich) and another 75 dollars coming back. - over 300 cm; the box must be booked in and transported as freight Also spoke to Qatar - up to 300 cm you can check the box in as part of your normal baggage allowance free of charge. So - after four trips on Emirates I will now become a Qatar client, as the price of the tickets are just about the same on both airlines.

Just sharing this info from the Rooiberg guys. Rooiberg Breederivier Bewarea - SupermaanritMaandag 14 November sal dit die grootste volmaan in baie jare wees. Ons het dan ons eerste maandelikse volmaanrit. Die roete: 10km by RoamRooiberg, met 6km enkelspoor. Ry soveel rondtes as jy wil. Dit is nie 'n wedren nie! Wanneer: 14 November, begin 20H00. Koste: R30.00 Worsbroodjies R20.00. Daar sal trekpryse wees.