Walkers on Single Track in Tokai

[Hairy]

If it becomes a situation where the regulating body for Tokai give the green light to runners / walkers on the MTB ST sections then one will in the near future find more and more numbers of these users on the trail and eventually it will get to the point where it is really just not worthwhile driving to Tokai to ride down the ST with pedestrian traffic.

 

I know my comment is a bit melodramatic, but the chances are very real as the sport of trail running is also starting to grow very quickly and the numbers of runners seen this year will be far greater in the new year.

 

Hell I even considered running not long ago, but came back to my senses also reasoned that only people that should run are those being chased by the police.

[SomeBloke]

problem is that there is only so much space

 

http://prezwho.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/mtb-cliffs-of-moher.jpg

 

Just wallride around them.

[Hairy]

Just wallride around them.

 

Smart Ass

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

 

 

Hell I even considered running not long ago, but came back to my senses also reasoned that only people that should run are those being chased by the police.

 

After having FINALLY met you yesterday, I can see why this is a concern for you!

[nishiki]

You know, runners have just about every single hiking trail in the entire TMNP to run on, and yet they must run on the few singletracks the we have. Why should we yield for them? Why should we get bells on our bikes? Maybe they need to learn to run elsewhere. I trail run too and would never dream of running on the mtb trails. I head out into the park and never see another person most days.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

You know, runners have just about every single hiking trail in the entire TMNP to run on, and yet they must run on the few singletracks the we have. Why should we yield for them? Why should we get bells on our bikes? Maybe they need to learn to run elsewhere. I trail run too and would never dream of running on the mtb trails. I head out into the park and never see another person most days.

 

I don't run 'cos I look like an asthmatic Oompah Loompah.

[nishiki]

 

 

I don't run 'cos I look like an asthmatic Oompah Loompah.

Haha, I look like a frail ape that needs to take a 4 day old dump. That's why I run in isolation

[(Deon)]

The problem is that there is not even enough singletrack for the cyclists. The trail will not withstand another usergroup. It is purely out of concern for safety that I participate in this debate. The runners are a reaponsible bunch..

 

Hairy, you are correct in every way. Tygerberg have faced the same dilemma. The cyclist would have been outnumbered overnight. Advice was offered and the decision was reconsidered. I think it was discussed on the hub somewhere. (on my phone now so can't l)

[YUMEYA]

I will just ride on the trail running tracks.

[DJR]

I don't run 'cos I look like an asthmatic Oompah Loompah.

 

The single thing I can honestly thank the bloody military for: That they put me off running for the rest of my life!

[Lone_Ranger]

Having grown up walking in CT for most of my life, I know there are miles and miles of trails out there for walkers to use. Surely a few km's of exclusive mtb trails is not too much to ask.

 

And I suspect it will get worse over the Festive Season, with visitors coming in and not knowing the "protocol" at Tokai . Hence the need for signage, as visitors have no clue that some trails are mtb trails.

[Hairy]

Just imagine how great the signage and facilities could be at Tokai and on Table mountain if the fees generated from these areas actually all went back into the trails where the income was generated in the first place.

[TNT1]

@ OP, so why don't you have a bell?

[The Search]

Also got the bell comment. Told them its not cool to have a bell. Didnt think it was funny.

 

Coming down Fairy Glen on Saturday afternoon, and I run (almost literally) into two separate groups of walkers on the single track. Luckily I wasn't going too fast or somebody could have gotten quite seriously injured.

 

Then they have the audacity to ask me why I don't have a bell on my bike. I don't mind the odd walker on the jeep track, but on the single track it's quite dangerous.

 

Is there any way we can keep walkers off the single track? My understanding is that the singletrack in that section is meant for biking, or is it a shared path?

[Brian Fantana]

I have been involved with trail building in our region for quite some time.

 

I have never seen any trail runners or hikers building any trails in our region, yet they feel that they have right of way on a trail that was built for mtb in the first place.

 

Moerse irritating.

 

I believe that signage is key, to eliminate confusion. In New Zealand many mtb trails are marked "MTB Only" and "No Hikers"

[(Deon)]

Signage in Tokai can only be installed once there is clear directive on trail direction (sensitive topic), trail grading, rules (NB accessible bike/horse areas), trail running (hot topic) and especially vehicle/bike crossings. Added to this there is the topic of blind road crossings and road gaps - in some cases the trail is being rerouted to reduce the angle of road crossing allowing the vehicle drivers chance to see approaching bikes and visa versa. All these are being addressed.. but yes, a decision re running/walking on the trails needs to be made soon.

Edited December 11, 2012 by Pain or Shine