Griffin

Nice warm day today ... worked up a proper sweat ! Just a heads up.. Please remember that timber harvesting is still taking place in the Shafton Rd area. Signage has been erected to indicate what areas are closed.

slight delay ... but No Balls section cleared today as well as half of Puffadder Pass. weather dependant the 2nd half of Puffies will be cleared tomorrow (section heading towards Sheeps {P}ass). There is a section that needs to be brushcut and sprayed so thats why its weather dependant. Plan is to then move up towards The Firetower (and cut/spray around the selfie frame) and then down Pines to also cut and spray

Yup... wind storm brought down trees and branches all over the place. Couple of days of rain have also delayed the clearing of that section... but hopefully we back on track now (excuse the pun!) Trees/branches will be cleared, side trail overgrowth cut and spraying to control brambles/grass. Spraying is weather dependent though.. so if it rains we cant spray (or if the wind is hectic). If we cant spray then the clearing will be delayed again as economics dictate how many days we can allocate labour to that section

Purple Puff Adder Pass It is proper hard work... especially cause there isn't actually much elevation/gradient along the trail so there is no where to get a break... its pedal pedal pedal (lack of big gradient is actually the only reason its not black diamond) Not not only physical but mental too! Pick the wrong line and regardless of fitness you not going to make it without dabbing a foot down somewhere... or maybe take a bruise or 2 home as a memento It was also planned to make a return to Howick Classic event next year after 2 years absence but latest forcasts are that the area is going to be harvested so that may have to change PS : the route is scheduled to be cleared and sprayed this week so its should be prime for riding this weekend

LOL... well its not black diamond... and there is no rating between blue and black diamond... Maybe we should make a special purple grading.. like the colour of the bruises that Puff Adder can create

Some interesting stats that came about whilst I been updating http://www.trailforks.com/region/howick-trails-15134/trails/ - 29 DH/AM bike trails - 92 XC bike trails - 10 Black Diamond trails - 76 Singletrack trails - 20 access road sections

Busy updating all routes on Trail Forks... follow the link on our website http://www.howickmountainbiking.co.za

You cant ...unless you bundu bash a bit. We are still waiting for the landowner to give permission for us to cut a new trail around the fence/gate At the bottom of the dirt rd (in the dip) there it a old rd/track the heads towards the sawmill side. If you follow that and bundu bash a bit you will come to the end of the fence and can then make your way back towards Greendale. Try come back along the embankment as the tar rd is quite busy and people drive like tjops on that section Assuming that the landowner gives us permission.. we will cut a new track from the bottom of the dirt rd to where you pass the end of the fence and then along the fenceline to the gate. That plan is on standby though till we have permissions

I have just redone the Howick MTB Club website... gone for the KISS principle lol! All info you need is there now... including downloadable GPS routes (only 3 at the moment but more coming soon) Let me know if there is anything I missed or anything extra you think would be an advantage to have on the website http://www.howickmountainbiking.co.za

T&C apply

Blondonabike is sponsoring a plate of brownies to the first person to guess the 2018 sticker colour...

Trail news We are aware of a fence/gate that has been erected at the entrance to the Howick Trails opposite Greendale Spar. This is private land and we are in the process of getting a land access agreement approved by the land owner. In the meantime please do not climb over the fence/gate as any damage makes it even more difficult to get approval. Alternative routes include access up Hospital Hill and into Home Jerome or up Hyslop Rd into Eagle Ridge Run Rushlot has been cleared of overgrowth and bridge repairs done. Just be careful of bishpig/erosion holes Rest of the trails are looking good. We have had some rain so it is a bit slippery under the pine canopy.. but that is just a great excuse to test your bike skills

100% . Before checkout you have the option of choosing a board or just a sticker

Step by step (apologies if you already know some of this but using it as a general guide ) : - Register on ROAG (www.roag.co.za). Its a free registration and we use your ROAG number as your club membership number. We also utilize the ROAG system/ database for online payments/contact details/emergency contacts etc. For us Its simply a matter of making use of a system that is already established and well known in KZN (our majority membership area) - Once registered, log in and go to Entries & Info - Howick MTB Club Membership 2017 (or follow http://www.roag.co.za/entries--info.aspx) - Click on Enter now or More info .. depending on what you require - Fill in the necessary details.. do on online or EFT payment.. and viola.. you done - ROAG posts you your board/sticker - Whilst awaiting your board/sticker just use the printout of your paid up membership as proof of being a legal rider 2017 Early Bird prices are in effect from 1 Oct to 31 Dec.. which means you pay 2016 membership price for a 2017 membership. This is applicable to both renewals and new members. Howick MTB Club uses a red ROAG board and you have the option of replacing your current board or utilizing the membership sticker only. By doing this we avoid you having to swop out boards. The sticker goes in the bottom right hand corner of your ROAG board and changes colour depending on the applicable year. Remember that the annual members can make use of the reciprocity agreement between Howick MTB Club and Karkloof MTB Club.. meaning that you can ride both trail networks under one membership license.

Routes are 99% finalized and clearing starts next week As mentioned, this is proper Berg riding.. no free miles Routes are downloadable from http://www.wardevents.co.za/ so that you can preview and upload to your GPS device for use DURING the event. Please note that the routes are NOT open to practice at anytime prior to the event and that they cross private land. Any person found pre-riding will face immediate event disqualification and trespassing charges

Heads up.. this event is the final in the 2016 ROAG Series and is a brand new course. Both the 40km and 20km make use of land thats NEVER been open to MTBikers before. Its proper Drakensberg riding! Stunning views.. which also mean some big climbs and gnarly descents

Event Name: Gooderson MTB & Trail Running Series 2016 - Monks Cowl When: 5 November 2016 Where: Gooderson Leisure Monks Cowl Resort, Kwazulu-Natal Category: MTB REGISTRATION DETAILS: Date: 05/11/2016 Time: 06:00-07:30 Venue: Hotel Date: 06/11/2016 Time: 06:00-07:30 Venue: Hotel MORE INFO: PRIZES & PRIZE MONEY R14 100 in Cash Prizes across all age categories as per Quattro ROAG Series Standard Prize Giving Guidelines. GOODERSON LEISURE CHALLENGE SERIES WINNERS R20 000 Cash Prize For Overall Male & Female Series Winners in the MTB & Trail Run Events (Participate in a minimum of two events to qualify for the prizes). GOODIE BAGS & T-SHIRTS Goodie Bags & T-Shirts to the first 200 Pre-Entries. MEDALS The first 500 finishers across all races will receive medals. KIDS ENTERTAINMENT The hotel facilities include Kid's entertainment. FOOD & BEVERAGES Food & Beverages will be sold throughout the weekend at the hotel. LOCAL ACCOMMODATION Please see the below contact information for further information regarding bookings at Goodersons Monks Cowl Golf Resort Melanie Kiley 036 468 1300 monksadmin@goodersons.co.za ROUTE DESCRIPTION Run/Cycle along single track and farm roads through the beautiful grasslands and wooded areas. Expect to come across bridges and dams along the route. Keep a lookout for the Wildlife! Go to Event Page

Think the Goblins have had a round of flu lmao ! Yeah.. a LOT of clearing to do. Sometimes feels like we have just got a section sorted and then we have another storm/wind.. we chasing our tails !

Sketchy cause its slippery ..or is there some maintenance that needs to be done at this spot ?

Its that time again !! 2017 Howick MTB Club annual memberships open from tomorrow on www.roag.co.za. Annual membership gives you access to both Howick MTB trails and Karkloof MTB trails under 1 membership for the remainder of 2016 and the full 12 months of 2017... and for October only all annual Howick MTB Club members qualify for discount from http://www.extremelights.co.za/

Beautiful morning to be out on the trails.. yesterdays rain has left the air clear and settled the dust. It has also left some spots rather gloopy and slippery..please be careful Being cleared today/tomorrow : - Sheeps (P)ass - Pines/Gums (to the trail split) - Duza Ngulubhe (to be completed by Saturday morning) - Mind the gap - Red Face Hill ​Also please remember that harvesting is still taking place on the Howick/Karkloof border (Shafton Road area) and access though there is prohibited. There is signage on both Howick and Karkloof sides that will warn you and point you in alternative direction .. please obey it !

Trail clearing continues... - Wattels cleared and tree across the trail removed - Roller Coaster cleared Caution : There are still fallen trees across Pines Trail & Duza Ngulubhe . Duza is scheduled to be cleared tomorrow (extending through to Mind the Gap/Red Face/Rooty Fruity)

8 days = 192 hours = 11520 minutes... Until the Early Bird 2017 Howick MTB Club annual memberships open for October only a fantastic deal, only available to new or renewing annual Howick MTB Club members, with Details will be announced on 1 Oct

So far we know of the following trail obstacles/debris that needs to be cleared : - Pines Trail : 1 big tree across the trail as well as several smaller branches - Duza Ngulubhe : 3 fallen tress across the trail as well as a lot of smaller branches (Top section in particular) - Wattles : Tree across the trail at the entrance to the trail Please take care if riding any of the above trails (and all other trails). We are getting to the affected sections one by one Already cleared : - Eagle Ridge Run - Harries - Oopsie Daisy - Lurker Lane - Goblins Glen - Flat Track - Lurker Lane - Fast Track Ext - Home Jerome

Thanks Percy. Good to hear that things are not to bad.. at least in the sections that you ride. I know there are some bigger branches/small trees down around the Firetower area.Appreciate the feedback Just a heads up. Night riding on the Howick Trails is carefully controlled as there are operations going on to combat poachers (snares and hunting dogs). Sappi has private security doing patrols and they are briefed to take any necessary action against poachers. For this reason we do not encourage night rides (ie anything before sunrise or after sunset) as your bike lights can easily be seen as a group of poachers and the patrols may come after you. Not only has that got the potential to give you a scare but it also takes efforts away from catching the real poachers! If you/a group are wanting to do a night ride please let us know beforehand so that we can inform the foresters who will then also advise on any operations or warn the patrols that you are out there.