Thaba Trails v The Vlei Cycle park

[Wendell]

Having two cycling parks only FOUR kilometers appart sounds unreal but it's true. The difference is that The Vlei started in July 2008 caters more for the " Not so technical" cyclists. The family can go enjoy the ride between the forest, along the river and a bit of bushveldt. Ablutions, bike shop and a coffee shop that improves daily. An ideal family destination or a club outing which includes road riders wanting a taste of mountain biking.

 

Thaba Trails on the other hand started in June 2010 is for the intermediate to experianced riders. We do have a non technical loop of aprox. 15km but for the most the green route is a challange.The distance has now been pegged at approx. 29km with the new section on the western side of the park being completed. This was named " Wendell's Way " and is a challange of both strength and skill. The uphills in the gorge deffinately raises the heart rate but is rideable. The whole climb becomes worthwhile when you get to the top and start the 1,3km decent dropping 112m over some rock faces and ending back in an awesome section of wooded trail.

 

These two parks will never be the same as the one is a bike park and the other a nature park with mountain bike trails. The one is easy riding the other has challanges, the one has game an the other has a bit ( mainly dassies and mongoose ). The one has established facilities and the other is still a work in progress but there is nowhere in gauteng that you have such a choice of venue where you are number one !! see you there.

 

ps. tomorrow morning (sat 7th) at 7am sharp a group leaves from the kiosk at Thaba for a three hour ride, all welcome.

[Tumbleweed]

Thaba rocks! I love that loop you had finished before the SCOTT test day. Here's a pic from that Sunday…

 

 

You have a real knack for building trails, Wendell!

[KonaMTB]

Agreed. Also great to finally have two Great places to ride close to home. No more having to go to Pretoria or further to go for a great trail now we have two on our door step.

[Peewee1]

Either way they're both awesome trails, I don't mind coming from Fourways to ride there. But the Vlei can get technical when you start doing the Black sections. Still an experienced amateur, some of those drops and climbs freak me out.

 

Only been on Thaba once, plenty hills to keep you busy, might see you guys there at 7.

[Danger Dassie]

Both brilliant in their own ways.

Reckon though that Thaba green/blue is most likely one of the most demanding trails in Gauteng. Doing that 30km odd loop is one helluva workout! Mentally and physically

[rouxtjie]

Both brilliant in their own ways.

Reckon though that Thaba green/blue is most likely one of the most demanding trails in Gauteng. Doing that 30km odd loop is one helluva workout! Mentally and physically

spot-on

 

First time there I thought I might need to do two loops to get a proper ride in, limp'd home with tail between my legs after one lap.

[Thug]

Both brilliant in their own ways.

Reckon though that Thaba green/blue is most likely one of the most demanding trails in Gauteng. Doing that 30km odd loop is one helluva workout! Mentally and physically

 

I rode it with Jules on Boxing Day, was shattered after and still had to ride home. :-)

[Danger Dassie]

I rode it with Jules on Boxing Day, was shattered after and still had to ride home. :-)

 

Saw that, nice one. Bardy and I rode it day before yesterday with Wendell and Neil McDonald.

Buggered, 1hr57 for Green with some of the Blue sections.

 

Mind you, we drove back after

 

Except Neil, he rode there from Roodepoort and then rode home after!

 

Blady pros, not human

[scotty]

Yikes and i thought the Vlei green route with Wendells revenge was enough of a workout.

 

Have not done Thaba yet, must make a plan.

[PYGA1]

Saw that, nice one. Bardy and I rode it day before yesterday with Wendell and Neil McDonald.

Buggered, 1hr57 for Green with some of the Blue sections.

 

Mind you, we drove back after

 

Except Neil, he rode there from Roodepoort and then rode home after!

 

Blady pros, not human

 

 

Ya it's an awesome trail, kakked myself descending the koppie, climbing was brilliant.

 

DD you guys were moving it, tried to hold the pace for awhile but no luck !

[Peewee1]

Did Thaba this morning, have to say its the most technical trail ive ever done...lots of skills to learn, and plenty stamina to build up. I didn't manage all of it and had to walk certain sections. Having a heights problem didn't help either but added to the challenge.

 

Only did 13km on the green trail with Endomondo telling me I did 1500m of climbing, crazy stuff.

 

Thanks to the guys responsible for the awesome trail. We will be back next weekend.

[Frosty]

Have not done Thaba yet, must make a plan.

Boer maak 'n plan... now go out and do it - you won't be sorry

[Wendell]

"Prince" has recieved a bit of a face lift..have NOT removed the sand bag downhill, just made a slight detour that is awesome. Adding another 1km as you exit from Mzuzu. Not a difficult piece and possibly a great extension for the guys and girls who don't want too technical. We ride at 7am on Saturday mornings and this Sunday at 6 we are doing the complete trail which could take 4hours ++++. Experianced riders will enjoy our pace.. beginners will drop off.

[HussainD1]

I'm a relative newbie. Live less than a 1km from Thaba and 8 km from the Vlei. Ride quite often to the Vlei, do the green route and ride back home. Attempting Thaba for the 1st time this weekend. Already doubting my abilities after reading some of the stories Will start of with yellow 2 to ease my way in.

[awesme]

Rietflei was busy busy this morning. Really hope everyone went past gate to get stamped or paid.

G

[Judge]

went back to thaba and rode the green route -was surprised how easy it seemed until I got to the gully then it was wallking for a 1km or so -do peopl really ride up such steep sections damn I could barely push up.Any way green rocks.