Hi guys, Firstly I would like to applaud every single person involved with the trailbuilding in Tokai. Well done!!. I am not going to write about what is correct or incorrect but what I would like to say is how I feel about Tokai, in general. In other words, people may agree or disagree with me, I don't mind as everyone is entitled to his / her own opinion and I don't see the need for being slated for one's respective view. Along time ago ( no, this is not a fairy tale) back in the early 90's there were tree's at Tokai!. Yes, big pinetree's which provided the trails with much needed cover from wind, rain, soil erosion etc.. and the ground was covered in pineneedles. Trail maintenance?. What was the need for this as the environment was a lot more stable, the trails were far more hardy and granted, there were also fewer bikes on the trails. Downhill routes were clearly routes indicating that the trail transpired down the mountain and was steep in nature, with no man made bumps or jumps. The only jump you had was from when a tree uprooted and made a huge "divit" in the ground... So jump bikes and DH bikes were unknown and XC bikes with fixed forks were all the rage along with BMX's... Point is the trees have been removed and along with that comes environmental factors which Sanparks never considered! Anyway, enough digressing.. My view may be a little harsh re SANparks, but it is based on history and history says a lot. Sanparks do not care about every single cyclist, hiker or mountaingoer... Im sad to say this, but it seems true. What would happen if all the awesome riders at Tokai did not get involved with trail maintenance?. Would Sanparks realise the errosive problem and suddenly wake up and start improving the situation?. Definitely not, infact by us helping maintain the trails we have made their live's easier and they are pretty much laughing right now. Meurant would of had his back against the wall in more than one department and you can only try so much before you realise that your efforts are in vain. You either are working with like minded individuals or you aren't... Remember, I am totally in support of trail maintenance, I just think that certain precedences are being set and will not be doing us very good. Neighbourhood patrols (crime watch) started out in the BKM area so well until the patrolling companies realised that the more the public do the less they have to do, with the effect that they take so long to respond. In this same manner, we are not doing ourselves any favours... So, unfortunately the trail situation in Tokai is not magically going to get better, atleast not in my lifetime ( as trees take centuries to grow once replanted). Trail upkeep is going to be neverending due to lack of tree cover and lack of interest re replanting from Sanparks. The one valid question is, where does the money from Wildcards go to? Heck if I know, but I would love to know. I think one hubber actually stated that there is no present or future business plan regarding the future of Tokai etc... Perhaps the City of Cape Town should interveen and actually take charge as I see nothing inproving as long as Sanparks manage the trails. I stand to correction, but this is my view. I have lived in Tokai for 33 years and have ridden on the Tokai trails since I was in my early teens. I really do commend all the riders in Tokai, the downhillers, Dirtjumpers, XC riders for putting in time and effort with regard trailbuilding etc, we are all passionate about this mountain, otherwise this thread would not of come about...... The quicker Sanparks realise this needs to be addressed the better. They ultimately need to take over the responsibility.. In the future, you are going to hear your children say: "lets go riding in Tokai Bush" whereas you and I will remember Tokai for the untame and magical forest that it was Big Up to every rider out there that cares!!!
