Van Gaalens 1st time.

[Danger Dassie]

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.

 

Was there the other day and didn't really have any issues with the state of the trails. You do realise that the terrain is generally rocky by nature. Unless you're referring to specific sections?

As far as I can see theres some maintenance being done.

 

My feeling when it comes to riding through agricultural or forestation area, is that we are primarily paying for access in an areas that we normally wouldn't. As such that often the forestation/agricultural needs play a more important role than trail maintenance.

So if there's a dip in maintenance I understand that, and am just to happy to be fortunate to be enjoying something that really costs a nominal amount.

[Peach.]

Was there the other day and didn't really have any issues with the state of the trails. You do realise that the terrain is generally rocky by nature. Unless you're referring to specific sections?

As far as I can see theres some maintenance being done.

 

My feeling when it comes to riding through agricultural or forestation area, is that we are primarily paying for access in an areas that we normally wouldn't. As such that often the forestation/agricultural needs play a more important role than trail maintenance.

So if there's a dip in maintenance I understand that, and am just to happy to be fortunate to be enjoying something that really costs a nominal amount.

 

Yes I understand the rocks, as much as I hate them that is the terrain there and I must learn to ride them.

 

The only sections that I thought were a bit run down was the single track after you come down Tannie Miems and then the river trail, other than that they were great.

first time on Mini Oom Piets which was pretty cool

[rouxtjie]

 

 

Yes I understand the rocks, as much as I hate them that is the terrain there and I must learn to ride them.

 

The only sections that I thought were a bit run down was the single track after you come down Tannie Miems and then the river trail, other than that they were great.

first time on Mini Oom Piets which was pretty cool

Think I saw you fellas at the trailhead...were you the okes with the brooms ??

 

Anyhow, the trails did have a bit more debri than usual, not rocks, that is part and parcel of a ride in the magalies, I am talking about fall end trees broken branches etc etc. the place desperately needs some rain, should wash all it away

[Peach.]

Think I saw you fellas at the trailhead...were you the okes with the brooms ??

 

Anyhow, the trails did have a bit more debri than usual, not rocks, that is part and parcel of a ride in the magalies, I am talking about fall end trees broken branches etc etc. the place desperately needs some rain, should wash all it away

 

Yip, that was us.

 

Will def go again, even though its quite a trek from JHB.

[L.T.G]

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.

 

 

The trails span over 40 properties and Erik does a stellar job in maintaining/upgarding/adding on to them.

in need of TLC??!! You'll be hard pressed to find someone who's as passionate about their trails as Erik is! He's always maintaining/upgrading/adding to the trails... once again I'll mention that the trails cover over 40 PRIVATE properties, that we're very fortunate to ride because of Erik's ongoing work and collaboration with the , sometimes very reluctant, owners!

 

It only takes a little rain for a spurt in growth so one or two showers is enough to cause this "overgrowth" in places .

 

leaves all over the place... same reason.. debris? plane parts? fallen satellite fragments? or a couple twigs and branches from nature ? perhaps a leaf blower , or WAIT ..,a Hoover will help sort that issue out!

 

Rocks?? too many? the Hoover will sort that problem out! I'll pop it in the suggestion box next time I'm there!

 

Do this next time you're there!

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

no rocks.

but wait a couple days after it rains, so the hoovering can be done.

 

if you're detecting a hint of sarcasm here, you're bang on the money!

it's not a easy job to maintain these trails, I'm in no way affiliated with VG as my opening post (http://www.thehubsa....-trail-updates/ ) states, but I love the place and without the job Erik does we wouldn't have this mountain biking heaven on our doorstep!

 

Give me the rocks, leaves, hell, even the debris ANY DAY.... because after those couple 100m or even a km or two, you're gifted spine tingling, goose bump inducing beautiful trails!

and views like this

[rouxtjie]

Also love VG for a couple of reasons, now it is 50min drive from my house, yet I try and go there at least twice a month. Here is why

 

1.It has everything....You want to have fun, train for the epic / sani / j2c, keep your skillz honest, climbs, flats, downs and I always come home on the river for pudding

2.Its not overly manicured

3.Its always open

4.Cold beers at the trailhead

5.I feel the safest there out of any venue.

 

Anyone have a route from fourways to harties / VG?

 

Like mentioned in an earlier post there were more debris on the trail than normal over the weekend, I think a fire went through the place and alot of tree fell over the trails as a result, also it is quite dry at the moment, most streams were dry so really hope the recent rain will turn it into the green lush trail I know.

[kosmonooit]

it is quite dry at the moment, most streams were dry so really hope the recent rain will turn it into the green lush trail I know.

 

Looking forward to a ride there once is greened up a bit, but be careful of going there just after heavy rain, very muddy.

[rouxtjie]

Looking forward to a ride there once is greened up a bit, but be careful of going there just after heavy rain, very muddy.

yea, the river becomes a clay pit...but the rest is ok since it drains well and the natural slope allows for quick drainage..

[kosmonooit]

the veld leading to the concrete road can get really sticky

[Peach.]

The trails span over 40 properties and Erik does a stellar job in maintaining/upgarding/adding on to them.

in need of TLC??!! You'll be hard pressed to find someone who's as passionate about their trails as Erik is! He's always maintaining/upgrading/adding to the trails... once again I'll mention that the trails cover over 40 PRIVATE properties, that we're very fortunate to ride because of Erik's ongoing work and collaboration with the , sometimes very reluctant, owners!

 

It only takes a little rain for a spurt in growth so one or two showers is enough to cause this "overgrowth" in places .

 

leaves all over the place... same reason.. debris? plane parts? fallen satellite fragments? or a couple twigs and branches from nature ? perhaps a leaf blower , or WAIT ..,a Hoover will help sort that issue out!

 

Rocks?? too many? the Hoover will sort that problem out! I'll pop it in the suggestion box next time I'm there!

 

Do this next time you're there!

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

no rocks.

but wait a couple days after it rains, so the hoovering can be done.

 

if you're detecting a hint of sarcasm here, you're bang on the money!

it's not a easy job to maintain these trails, I'm in no way affiliated with VG as my opening post (http://www.thehubsa....-trail-updates/ ) states, but I love the place and without the job Erik does we wouldn't have this mountain biking heaven on our doorstep!

 

Give me the rocks, leaves, hell, even the debris ANY DAY.... because after those couple 100m or even a km or two, you're gifted spine tingling, goose bump inducing beautiful trails!

and views like this

 

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed

[Acre]

The trails span over 40 properties and Erik does a stellar job in maintaining/upgarding/adding on to them.

in need of TLC??!! You'll be hard pressed to find someone who's as passionate about their trails as Erik is! He's always maintaining/upgrading/adding to the trails... once again I'll mention that the trails cover over 40 PRIVATE properties, that we're very fortunate to ride because of Erik's ongoing work and collaboration with the , sometimes very reluctant, owners!

 

It only takes a little rain for a spurt in growth so one or two showers is enough to cause this "overgrowth" in places .

 

leaves all over the place... same reason.. debris? plane parts? fallen satellite fragments? or a couple twigs and branches from nature ? perhaps a leaf blower , or WAIT ..,a Hoover will help sort that issue out!

 

Rocks?? too many? the Hoover will sort that problem out! I'll pop it in the suggestion box next time I'm there!

 

Do this next time you're there!

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

no rocks.

but wait a couple days after it rains, so the hoovering can be done.

 

if you're detecting a hint of sarcasm here, you're bang on the money!

it's not a easy job to maintain these trails, I'm in no way affiliated with VG as my opening post (http://www.thehubsa....-trail-updates/ ) states, but I love the place and without the job Erik does we wouldn't have this mountain biking heaven on our doorstep!

 

Give me the rocks, leaves, hell, even the debris ANY DAY.... because after those couple 100m or even a km or two, you're gifted spine tingling, goose bump inducing beautiful trails!

and views like this

Spot on and can't agree with you more. People should never compare venues because each has their own uniqueness. VG trails which as you rightly point out crosses about 40 different properties covering an area of about 6000 hectares with total distance of about 90-100 kms, hardly comparable to the few kms and beautifully manicured trails of say PWC Cycle Park. Long live Erik and his drive to make our ride so much more enjoyable, will always love the place. Can't wait for the Dirt Fest at the end of November.

[rouxtjie]

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed

Have you guys checked out some of the sections on the Lanseria road to harties, you guys will love life on those monster bikes of yours. You can park at chicken pie and hop onto the trail from there, the cool sections arent too far.

[jcza]

Also love VG for a couple of reasons, now it is 50min drive from my house, yet I try and go there at least twice a month. Here is why

 

1.It has everything....You want to have fun, train for the epic / sani / j2c, keep your skillz honest, climbs, flats, downs and I always come home on the river for pudding

2.Its not overly manicured

3.Its always open

4.Cold beers at the trailhead

5.I feel the safest there out of any venue.

 

Anyone have a route from fourways to harties / VG?

 

Like mentioned in an earlier post there were more debris on the trail than normal over the weekend, I think a fire went through the place and alot of tree fell over the trails as a result, also it is quite dry at the moment, most streams were dry so really hope the recent rain will turn it into the green lush trail I know.

 

Rode with Jhb MTB Club from Emmarentia to Paulshof along spruit then to Harties last year but sections were across private land. Sure it can be done.

[rouxtjie]

Rode with Jhb MTB Club from Emmarentia to Paulshof along spruit then to Harties last year but sections were across private land. Sure it can be done.

Ta thanks J...I can get to nikita from fourways riding very lekker singletrack, but lost from there.

[jcza]

Ta thanks J...I can get to nikita from fourways riding very lekker singletrack, but lost from there.

 

Will be fantastic if you find the route!

[Mike Bike]

Ta thanks J...I can get to nikita from fourways riding very lekker singletrack, but lost from there.

rouxtjie...if you go down the dirt road opposite nikita, will take you to the tar road after the sasol turn. cross straight over..dirt road again, left at the cross roads, past ale house..over the hill with the dam view and out by the total garage by pecanwood..down the road bit, thru the farm gate left..up the hill and along, you can get to the dirt road up to concrete strips