Riding up single track in Tokai

[RacerX]

Oh, I'm getting tired of this, but I'll try 1 more time:

 

Bicyclists traveling downhill should yield to ones headed uphill,

That is all the usual singletrack and you can ride it up or down, but the guy going up has right of way. These have names like Mamba, Cobra, My Roots...

 

unless the trail is clearly signed for one-way or downhill-only traffic

Those are the "downhill tracks", they are called that for a reason, At the start of each it says something like "DOWNHILL 1/2/3.." On those the beefy dude on his beefy bike barreling down have right of way (he'll flatten you if you ride up these and you don't get off the trail).

 

Pleeeeaaase, tell me you all understand now!

I understand but I disagree 'cause it does not make sense.

[grb285]

Its funny that grb285 says in his topic about riding up 'downhill' routes that the riders coming up must give way to riders coming down.

However, the actual rule is that riders coming down must give way to riders coming up!!!

 

Plenty people here shoot their mouths off before they know the actual rules!!

I didn't say that at all. Please re-read my post carefully. I SAID: Riders going downhill on a singletrack must yield for those riding up. Single direction routes like downhills (dedicated to that) are not meant to be ridden up.

 

Please rather read posts before you assume things. You're not the only one who has ridden bikes for a very long time.

[banna]

I didn't say that at all. Please re-read my post carefully. I SAID: Riders going downhill on a singletrack must yield for those riding up. Single direction routes like downhills (dedicated to that) are not meant to be ridden up.

 

Please rather read posts before you assume things. You're not the only one who has ridden bikes for a very long time.

 

Shoe gents, I don't get to Tokai that often, as I do most of my riding in Jonkershoek and Majik forest, and if I read all the comments here, it sounds like there's a lot of bad vibes going down in Tokai. Is this what mtbiking is all about? People kakking all over each other? Reading this, I'm not sure whether I wanna go ride there any more. I certainly don't get that aggression when riding in Jonkers. Or is it sounding a lot worse than it really is? Are the trails becoming over crowded perhaps?

[Lucky Luke.]

Shoe gents, I don't get to Tokai that often, as I do most of my riding in Jonkershoek and Majik forest, and if I read all the comments here, it sounds like there's a lot of bad vibes going down in Tokai. Is this what mtbiking is all about? People kakking all over each other? Reading this, I'm not sure whether I wanna go ride there any more. I certainly don't get that aggression when riding in Jonkers. Or is it sounding a lot worse than it really is? Are the trails becoming over crowded perhaps?

 

Not aggro at all, but fairly busy at times and it would be good to have some signage for newcomers and others to refer to. Nobody is 'kakking' on anyone.

[grb285]

 

 

I tend to agree that Tokai needs it's own rules (but only if clearly displayed at the gate and trailheads).

 

For those descending singletracks at speed there is no time for the 'international norms', as charming as tinkling our bells and issuing friendly waves might be.

This just keeps going around and around and around. Seriously, we need 1 set of rules. What about international riders who might ride the park? These are standard rules and if you've ever ridden anywhere outside of SA you'll see that people are cool about it.

 

Nobody is saying you need to ring a bell. 95% of the singletracks at Tokai don't have blind corners, and if a section is THAT steep, then it will be very hard for a clipped in rider to start again.

 

Guys, I reckon the solution to this is a nice big signboard at the front gate. I've suggested little A6 leaflets that state the rules too, to be handed out when checking in. All of this I'll be happy to design up and print myself if it will help to smooth things out. It's to make it safer for everyone. It's not just ROW rules, it's basic things too like wearing helmets, making sure nobody rides without end caps on their bars, no dragging wheels on berms or jump lips...there are more. These should be common-law, meaning if you are a considerate person, concerned for the wellbeing of your fellow man, this should be natural to do.

 

As an example, I saw a guy some time back riding the singletrack in the forest without a helmet. When I asked him why, and offered him a spare one I had in my boot, he told me to eff off. I told him that when he breaks his skull, I'll be expected to help him out? People are strange. What's so hard about just being cool?

 

See ya!

[banna]

Not aggro at all, but fairly busy at times and it would be good to have some signage for newcomers and others to refer to. Nobody is 'kakking' on anyone.

 

Cool. Good to hear. I would hate our beloved past time to become a shout fest as so often happens in the roadie circles.

[DaLoCo]

Cool. Good to hear. I would hate our beloved past time to become a shout fest as so often happens in the roadie circles.

 

Too late...it has been a shout fest from the start From deciding what is cool to wear, to what lube should be used.....seriously

[(Deon)]

All in favour of trail schedules? i.e. No singletrack climbing between the times of 9am and 12pm.

 

Get your climb on early or late, but not when the bulk of the riders are descending.

[banna]

Too late...it has been a shout fest from the start From deciding what is cool to wear, to what lube should be used.....seriously

 

Hmmm...ag well, there's nothing wrong with friendly banter regarding product use (e.g fox vs RS, Shimano vs SRAM etc.) just as long people don't take themselves too seriously.

[Lucky Luke.]

All in favour of trail schedules? i.e. No singletrack climbing between the times of 9am and 12pm.

 

Get your climb on early or late, but not when the bulk of the riders are descending.

 

x 1000

[Lucky Luke.]

 

Guys, I reckon the solution to this is a nice big signboard at the front gate. I've suggested little A6 leaflets that state the rules too, to be handed out when checking in. All of this I'll be happy to design up and print myself if it will help to smooth things out.

 

 

It's to make it safer for everyone. It's not just ROW rules, it's basic things too like wearing helmets, making sure nobody rides without end caps on their bars, no dragging wheels on berms or jump lips...there are more. These should be common-law, meaning if you are a considerate person, concerned for the wellbeing of your fellow man, this should be natural to do.

 

 

[Danger Dassie]

This just keeps going around and around and around. Seriously, we need 1 set of rules. What about international riders who might ride the park? These are standard rules and if you've ever ridden anywhere outside of SA you'll see that people are cool about it.

 

Nobody is saying you need to ring a bell. 95% of the singletracks at Tokai don't have blind corners, and if a section is THAT steep, then it will be very hard for a clipped in rider to start again.

 

Guys, I reckon the solution to this is a nice big signboard at the front gate. I've suggested little A6 leaflets that state the rules too, to be handed out when checking in. All of this I'll be happy to design up and print myself if it will help to smooth things out. It's to make it safer for everyone. It's not just ROW rules, it's basic things too like wearing helmets, making sure nobody rides without end caps on their bars, no dragging wheels on berms or jump lips...there are more. These should be common-law, meaning if you are a considerate person, concerned for the wellbeing of your fellow man, this should be natural to do.

 

As an example, I saw a guy some time back riding the singletrack in the forest without a helmet. When I asked him why, and offered him a spare one I had in my boot, he told me to eff off. I told him that when he breaks his skull, I'll be expected to help him out? People are strange. What's so hard about just being cool?

 

See ya!

 

Give that man a bell! ... ehrm, Bells

[leet22]

Hmm Any black route should be one way only my R10000000000000000000 worth.

Vasbyt should be split into 2 tracks from the jumps up Black and up till the jumps blue as im sure its not worthy of a Black marking.

The Bridal paths MUST be one way. It is a dangerous piece of track coming up or down and there is not much space to pull over either way.

Maybe its time for The parks to get a dedicated bunch of MTBers to help in this. Give advice, mark tracks, no entry boards, rules etc. Same as u have specialists in other areas, logging etc then they should have some for the trails.

[mach7-7]

Hey peeps,

 

Been reading through the posts and have found the following to be apparent:

 

Lots of different groups of people all believing that their rules are more justified than the other group, with the effect that this causes segregation amongst different types of riding disciplines etc.. Arguments will ensue as to why Group A's rules are better and safer than Group B's rules ... and the story goes round and round and never get's solved.

 

I like rules, the world would not function without rules. People cannot just start posting a list of rules on trails without them being approved. My thoughts:

 

Someone who either has contacts or is a really good spokesperson should approach San parks and set up a meeting. Present your list of concerns, rules, improvements etc and get them "gazetted". In other words, they then become law and can be published in the lastest Sanparks newsletter.

 

Once this is done, the rules are in print and there can be no argument should you break a rule. However, until this is done (or whether this ever materializes), ride safe, be oblidging, don't let your pride or bad attitude get in the way, respect fellow trail users and most importantly, have a jol on the mountain.. All of my best friends have been met on the trail through mountainbiking

[Myra]

For those descending singletracks at speed there is no time for the 'international norms', as charming as tinkling our bells and issuing friendly waves might be.

 

I agree - ascenders must absolutely give way to descenders. If i'm ripping down a singletrack it's much harder for me to change my line than someone crawling up it in their granny gear.

 

If you don't have time to change your line or (hypothetically, if you did have a bell) put out a finger to ring it - you aren't in control of your bike. That's an accident waiting to happen. What would happen if a tree has fallen across/a rock has rolled into/your buddy has wiped out on the singletrack? The international norm is intended to keep everyone safe - even the 'rippers'.

 

Another thought is that the people who are responsible for building/maintaining a lot of the trails in the Cape subscribe to the IMBA rules and this is what is taken into account when building/maintaining.

 

Either way it is apparent that appropriate signage at Tokai is a must. How about a poster at the hut where people who don't have year permits buy them and a set of rules to be handed out with every new yearly permit issued?

[(Deon)]

Hey peeps,

 

Been reading through the posts and have found the following to be apparent:

 

Lots of different groups of people all believing that their rules are more justified than the other group, with the effect that this causes segregation amongst different types of riding disciplines etc.. Arguments will ensue as to why Group A's rules are better and safer than Group B's rules ... and the story goes round and round and never get's solved.

 

I like rules, the world would not function without rules. People cannot just start posting a list of rules on trails without them being approved. My thoughts:

 

Someone who either has contacts or is a really good spokesperson should approach San parks and set up a meeting. Present your list of concerns, rules, improvements etc and get them "gazetted". In other words, they then become law and can be published in the lastest Sanparks newsletter.

 

Once this is done, the rules are in print and there can be no argument should you break a rule. However, until this is done (or whether this ever materializes), ride safe, be oblidging, don't let your pride or bad attitude get in the way, respect fellow trail users and most importantly, have a jol on the mountain.. All of my best friends have been met on the trail through mountainbiking

 

Meeting SANParks next week...

 

As I said before.. just read the correct thread. All the info is there. https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/103695-riding-up-the-downhills-at-tokai

 

The obvious difference between the two threads is which ST is being discussed. This thread includes all where the safety concern clearly pointed to the DH track only. It is really important to note the difference in classification, this will clear a lot of grey area as to where you may and may not ride up the ST. DJR has pointed it out.. and International code IS, BTW, the one to which Tokai abides. Like it or not.

 

If the level of conflict on all singletrack is enough to warrant a change in format, it will be considered. A simple suggestion will also do, starting a poll with one's own agenda in mind is non-progressive... look where we find ourselves.. AGAIN.

 

Despite all the good advice on the first page of this thread, the rant continues.

 

 

--- here is the outcome of the last discussion (bearing in mind the DH run was in question).

 

 

Posted 08 June 2011 - 07:05

 

Signage approved..

 

The new trail markings will be erected in the coming weeks but unfortunately cannot be regarded as a full one-way limitation as yet, it will justify the points that initiated this thread though.

 

Bottom line: Right of way is granted for descending riders. If you choose to climb any trail marked as 'downhill', you could be liable for any damage and/or injuries.

 

Please consider that this decision is out of necessity! User numbers have exploded and while we work on a solution for better trail use, your patience and general all-round sense will be appreciated.

 

Off-topic: language on the mountain. A number of complaints have been received. Please apply restraint where possible this is a family zoned trail and just basic respect for others is expected of every user.

 

Several other points were met with resounding approval in today's meeting.. good times ahead (thanks Koos)!!

 

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