Griffin

Did a recce this morning and the fires have done some proper damage. Following trails remain closed until further notice : The Face Face Extension Yebo Duikers Drift Mikes Lights Grassy Rd Nyaga Nyaga Pascoes Puzzle Mount Up More Up Up some more Up at last Katheryns Crank Alley Haibo Entrances to Gums/Pines from Firetower Sheeps Pass Puffadder Pass No Balls Christophers and 2nd half of Middle Rd (from the crossroads onwards) Trail closure boards will be going up in the next few days

Just had a look at the trails. Fires have been brought under control but there are still a few wisps of smoke around, especially where there was a lot of undergrowth/old trees. The danger is now from trees that have been burnt/branches that are hanging and trees that have fallen as a result of the fire/winds. Therefore the trails are still closed. We are hoping to have some sections opened soon.

Trail Update Trails remain closed as there are some spots still smoldering. Cooler weather and drop in the wind has helped bring things under control but the possibility exists of the fire flaring up again. Please remain off the trails and out of the area. Remember its not just the areas that were burning that are affected but also all access roads as these are used by the fire fighters.

Wind storm at about 2am this morning and has dropped a LOT of foliage and fanned the flames.

Fires still soldering and flaring up All trails remain closed

URGENT Please note that there is a forest fires burning in the Karkloof/Howick area. Several fires have been reported and a berg wind is blowing. Please stay out of the area Trails are closed with immediate effect until further notice

Howick Trails update : - Pines clear - Duza Ngulubhe clear - Eagle Ridge Run clear Caution : Tree over the trail close to Face Extention Please note that the Mr Nicemans entrance (opposite Greendale Spar) remains closed whilst we await feedback from the landowner. Alternative entrances are Lakeview Rd (via Eagle Ridge Run) or Curries road (via Home Jerome) Please remember that area around Shafton Rd is closed (see the signage on the trails) All detail available at http://www.trailforks.com/region/howick-trails-15134/?lat=-29.468972602392192&lon=30.20947574987064&z=15&m=trailforks Compulsory trail fee : R50 pppd available at Pyga concept store, Greendale center (Fainting Goat) and Howick hospital Sappi indemnity compulsory

Thanks bud.

Howick Trails update : - No Balls clear - Puffadder Pass clear - Sheeps Pass clear - Up at Last clear - Working on clearing the beginning of The Face, around the selfie frame and then down Duza Ngulubhe today Clearing along Pines scheduled for Monday Please remember that area around Shafton Rd is closed (see the signage on the trails)

Hey Bud No worries... being out there is better than sitting behind a desk anyday Sid Vicious is on Karkloof side and forms part of Karkloof Trails so not sure what condition it is in. The Shafton Rd borders Syd Vicious and they are short hauling along that road so I would err on the side of caution and say its still closed. Best to check with Karkloof to confirm though.

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