Van Gaalens 1st time.

[Muggins]

I want to go out to ride at van Gaalens for the first time this Sunday. I have heard a number of good things about it.

 

What is a good route to follow in the 30 to 40 km region.

 

Is there somewhere I can download a route onto my garmin edge 800?

 

Thanks

[DIPSLICK]

I want to go out to ride at van Gaalens for the first time this Sunday. I have heard a number of good things about it.

 

What is a good route to follow in the 30 to 40 km region.

 

Is there somewhere I can download a route onto my garmin edge 800?

 

Thanks

BEST WAY TO DO FUNGAALENS FOR THE FIRST TIME IS TO TAKE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS IT WELL TO GIVE YOU A GOOD SENSE OF DIRECTION,

NOT THE BEST MARKED ROUTES, BUT DEF OF THE BEST RIDING ROUTES,, ENJOY

[L.T.G]

try this ...

super fun route

 

http://connect.garmin.com/page/activity/activity.faces?activityId=145272946&actionMethod=page%2Factivity%2Factivity.xhtml%3AuserSwitcher.switchSystem&cid=25713767

[Leon Besaans]

try this ...

super fun route

 

http://connect.garmi...em&cid=25713767

 

Ja, dagga pad for rookie is perfect!!!!

[DIPSLICK]

Ja, dagga pad for rookie is perfect!!!!

thats what i was thinking SIES L.T.G.

[L.T.G]

No malice intended.

But the OP doesn't mention being a noob, only a virgin to VG...

perhaps this will be better then

 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/156456799

[Clinton - theCOW]

Love FUN Gaalens, while the markings aren't always top notch, grab a map from the carpark dude & go have some fun, try not to get too lost.

 

We started off by doing the Greek Church area, there's some really kewl single track out and back.

 

Depends on how technical you are and what you like to ride

[Pants Boy]

You simply can't afford to miss the river trail, Greek church and possibly concrete strips

[Muggins]

Thanks

 

I have down loaded both of the above courses.

 

We will decide on Sunday morning which course to do.

 

Lets see what cruelty you have in store for us on the above courses.

 

If I have not reported back on Sunday afternoon then we are lost out there.

Edited October 10, 2013 by Muggins

[DIPSLICK]

Thanks

 

I have down loaded both of the above courses.

 

We will decide on Sunday morning which course to do.

 

Lets see what cruelty you have in store for us on the above courses.

 

If I have not reported back on Sunday afternoon then we are lost out there.

Enjoy it's lekke out there

[L.T.G]

Thanks

 

I have down loaded both of the above courses.

 

We will decide on Sunday morning which course to do.

 

Lets see what cruelty you have in store for us on the above courses.

 

If I have not reported back on Sunday afternoon then we are lost out there.

 

or

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/106393292

[L.T.G]

or this one that does both north and south banks of the river

 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/155121192

[L.T.G]

AND ...if the forecast is accurate after today's rains, the trails will bake dry tomorrow and saturday.. they'll be nice and and at their best to ride!

[L.T.G]

if you enjoy technical rides... this has a bit of everything ...

 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/156456799

[Muggins]

Well we went out this morning

 

Started off with my riding partner taking his bike out his bakkie to discover he had a flat. He could only have gotten that from Hakahana yesterday.

 

So we set off on the awesome beginner route from above seeing as it was our first ride at van gaalens.

 

I am running tubeless so I had no problems. My friend was running tubes and he was getting punctures front and back. 20 odd km's into it we had to pull out due to the punctures.

 

Lesson learnt. Go tubeless or carry lots of tubes.

 

First impressions of the first 20 km's. Seems to flow faster than other places I have ridden.

 

One has to keep your wits about you on some of those dirt roads, there is some pretty thick sand on some of them. Saw my back side well and properly with my front wheel going out from under me.

 

I can see how one can get properly lost here If you don't know it.

 

I will be back for more.

Edited October 13, 2013 by Muggins

[Peach.]

Went for a ride there yesterday.

The trails are awesome and fun, a few too many rocks for my liking but the trails are in serious need of some TLC,

Looks like hardly anyone has been riding there.

The single track in the trees was overgrown, so many leaves i could hardly see the path and debris all over.

 

Im only saying this because if you are paying to ride trails you would expect them to be maintained.