Griffin

Apologies for the late reply. If you have still not seen a credit please PM me direct with your details

https://web.facebook.com/themidlandsMTB/videos/462852050844023/

BREAKING NEWS : ENTRY FEE REDUCTION Entry fee's have been reduced substantially (40%) on the back of some strong sponsorship Refunds will be given to entries paid for prior to the price decrease Entries open at http://www.roag.co.za/eventinfo.aspx?EventID=2188

Trail Update : Home Jerome cleared but remains closed for the next week. Timber being is hauled from that area (F block) starting today/tomorrow till early next week. Hauling route includes top of Middle Road and the whole F block of so that is also closed. Please remain away from this area until all hauling is completed and trails have been re-opened The good news.. this signals almost the end of the major harvesting and we will be re-opening trails as they get repaired/cleared Soon we will have a complete network available again

The event is definitely still on ! Enties are open at http://www.roag.co.za/eventinfo.aspx?EventID=2188 and routes are confirmed. Water tables provisions are being planned at the moment... so, nows your chance to say what YOU would like to snack on during the event. Let me know and I will do my best to have that there. So far we have water, Coke, donuts, crunchies, Bar One's, banana's and.. some twisted sisters

To clarify any confusion and misconceptions regarding the pricing for The Midlands MTB Stage Race. There are two options available when entering the race. The first option costs R10,200 per team of two (R5100 per person), which includes full accommodation, all meals, the race itself and the race village package. A portion of that is being donated to our charity, Bloom, which looks after special needs children. The other two MTB stage races in KZN are R7,400 per person and R6,000 per person, comparing apples with apples. This option is limited to x people, on a first come first serve basis. The second option costs R7,200 per team of two. This does not include accommodation, breakfast and dinner and is convenient for people who live in the area or who would like to make their own accommodation arrangements. We have a variety of fantastic preferred accommodation partners listed on the website to choose from. This option does still include lunch. That’s three days of riding fully supported, awesome seconding tables, race village with free snacks, cold and hot drinks and an awesome chill area. In addition, we are having a daily craft beer festival in Howick. On the Saturday night, we will celebrate our event with a party and great band. In the Goodie Bag, you will find a long sleeve top, a pair of sunglasses and more. We have a surprise thank you gift to give each team at the finish. Everyone on the accommodation package will receive a fantastic breakfast, lunch and dinner of the highest standard. I know how important good food is for everyone. Our two-day stage race is R5,700 for a team of two people which does not include the accommodation package option. Don’t forget there is also a two-day trail-run for all age categories. We are putting a huge emphasis on parents doing the race with kids. There is also an two-day stage ride/race with distances of under 30 kms, as well as a 10 km ‘Scout’ race on the Sunday. There really is something for the whole family, so come and spend a long weekend in the Midlands together. The dates 29 June – 1 July are in the school holidays. Solo riders have also now been included. Pricing for this will appear on the entry portal soon.

https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/news/mtb/sa-mtb/white-takes-full-advantage-at-sappi-howick-mtb-r7149

Please note that un-official Enduro practice is from 1pm on Friday 2 March. You may park at 11 KARKLOOF and ride or walk to the stages.. you may NOT drive into the forests or park your vehicle anywhere on Sappi land. The transition route from 11 KARKLOOF will be marked so just follow the signs

Final work and prep is happening for the events this weekend .. 3 March : Trail run & Enduro (Enduro is KZN Prov Series #1) 4 March : 10/20/40km Entries close tomorrow so dont miss out

That a old post .. and yes, Trails fee (day licence is R50 pppd) The challenge with building any structures is maintenance. We are members of AmaRider which necessitates us keeping any man made structure in safe condition. We also report quarterly to AmaRider that this has been done. Building a man made structure in the right way is costly both in materials and time. Not saying is can't or shouldn't be done .. but with limited resources its a major consideration. If possible we prefer to use natural terrain and obstacles to do this as the ethos of Howick MTB is Raw and Unplugged.. ride what nature has provided. We have been having build days recently which have concentrated on recovering (and revamping) the trails that have been affected by the harvesting, Along with that we have been working on some new Enduro lines. The whatsapp group to stay in touch with planned build days is https://chat.whatsapp.com/HY0FWxsTpFfKsq2IFrJfJY Its best to incorporate any build plan with what the club has planned for the future. In some cases a proposed route will be refused as there is already a long term plan in place for that particular area.. in other cases it may impact on environmental concerns.. and in other cases it may be "yeah... go for it!".

Hay Matt..Trailforks is still the best place to check . I will update as trails are cleared/re-opened North of Firetower some trails have been re-opened (Puffadder Pass/No balls). Others will reopen shortly (hoping to get Sheeps pass and Kathryns/Gums/Pines/The Face opened in the next few weeks) https://www.trailforks.com/region/howick-mtb-trails/

Trail work and clearing for the Howick Enduro and 20/40 are all underway and going full steam ahead. Please note that some of these trails are only being opened for the event and may be closed thereafter (until harvesting is complete). Also.. the new Enduro Stages are proper! If you entering the Enduro please make sure you either go and check it out beforehand or at least walk it before attempting to ride it Nipper/Sprog may only enter the Enduro Lite (3 stages). This is regardless of if they are doing the event as part of the KZN MTB Provicial series or not. After they have raced Nippers/Sprogs may go and watch the other stages but may not ride them. All stages will be closed after the last rider has departed. Un-official Enduro practice on Friday 2 March from 1pm to 4pm. No medics on route so be careful. Also note we will still be marking so lines may change before the race!

http://themidlandsmtb.co.za/

Lets look : 2018 Berg & Bush Descent : R12000 2018 Sani2C : R14750 2018 The Midlands : R7200 Both Berg &Bush and Sani supply accommodation (tents) and meals. The Midlands supplies lunch daily included in the entry. Tented accommodation or High School hostel accommodation is available but not included in the entry. Lets assume the team stays in a B&B for 3 nights @R350 pppn (breakfast included) and their spend on supper is at R100 pppn (700 x 3) + (200 x 3) = 2700 2700+7200 = 9900 (less if you go for tented or hostel accommodation)

Nippers and Sprogs are, per CSA rules, limited to 25km per day Day 1 - 23km Day 2 - 21km

Entries are open !! http://www.roag.co.za/eventinfo.aspx?EventID=2188 FB Page : https://www.facebook.com/themidlandsMTB/ website : http://themidlandsmtb.co.za/

Howick Full membership R450 per year (and add your significant other for R400) Country member R300 per year (if you belong to another registered, non-virtual MTB Club) Learners /pensioners get reduced rates or R50 per day license regardless of who you are

Access from the Karkloof side depends on what trails Karkloof has re-opened. I hear that some of the connecting trails (eg Mitch Ditch) have been re-opened but not 100% sure. Best to check with Karkloof direct. We do have a new trail called "Duncan Dash" that comes off "Totem" that could be used. Its actually a trail running section but is specified dual purpose. Bit of a climb though.. Have a look at the 15km trail run (dual purpose) route. Its not marked with arrows yet but you should be able to see where it goes by following the cleared trail. Always best to have a look at the map though.. https://www.trailforks.com/route/15km-trail-run/

So today we got our first official complaint from the land owners about riders entering into closed harvesting areas. So, you who thinks that they are so special, what is so friggen difficult to understand ? A TRAIL CLOSED sign means you may NOT go in there. If that isn't enough, did the dust cloud from the harvester and the hauling trucks not give you a hint that it might be dangerous to ride close by ? Your seemingly super strength didn't pull through to you having even average intelligence. Did you think that you are so special that you would win the battle against a 20 ton truck or a mechanical claw? If you do, please let me know so I can so a small test experimenting with your hand vs a 2 pound hammer. I realise your Mom told you that you are special.. but I am sorry to tell you that everyone's Mom tells them that. It doesn't make it true. At your age you should really have moved on. If you really, really insist on being indestructible, please , please go ride somewhere else. We do not want you here. Your selfish actions place this club and all its legal riders at risk. Go away. Far far away. The further the better. Maybe Mr Trump will take you. You may think that you only 1 rider and you wont be noticed or have an effect. Try think (and i use that term very broadly in your case) further than your very limited ability. If required i am happy to draw a picture for you (in your favorite colored crayon). And then shove that same picture somewhere "special". 10 "its only me" riders throughout the day is 10 riders. Simple. Just cause its only you doesn't make you an exception to the rule. Please (PLEASE!) don't tell me you didn't see the sign, didn't know or didn't understand. I am sick of that excuse. Just tell me you are stupid.. cause thats way more believable.

Win with Howick MTB Club, 11 KARKLOOF and @LaPetiteFranceHandmadecheese : Enter the 2018 Sappi Howick Enduro or Classic before 28 Feb 2018 and stand a chance to win a 2 night stay in one of 11 KARKLOOF's 4 sleeper self-catering cottages. Not only that but also enjoy a scrumptious visit to La Petite France Handmade Cheese and sample the goodies over a perfect coffee. Entries to the event are open at https://www.roag.co.za/online-entries.aspx?EventID=2137 http://www.11karkloof.co.za/ http://lapetitefrance.co.za/

The event is sanctioned as a MTB event and so ... - No drop bars allowed - No e-bikes

Just a reminder.. the event is being hosted from 11 Karkloof http://www.11karkloof.co.za/

Dates are 29 June 2018- 1 July 2018 3 Day event - 29/6 - 1/7 2 Day event 30/6 - 1/7 Registration 28/6 for 3 day or 2 day Registration 29/6 for 2 day only