Venue for Enduro in Gauteng??

[Mileage]

Is there a venue in Gauteng that could be developed into a good enduro track. I see there is a lot of interest in the KZN event next week but lots of people on short budgets.

 

Surely if there was a suitable venue then people would be keen to chip in a bit to hire some equipment to make a good local venue that could be ridden regularly. A R500 donation each would be a lot cheaper than multiple trips to KZN or WC.

 

Does it need as big a hill as Cascades? Or would lots of smaller linked places be better?

[rouxtjie]

Is there a venue in Gauteng that could be developed into a good enduro track. I see there is a lot of interest in the KZN event next week but lots of people on short budgets.

 

Surely if there was a suitable venue then people would be keen to chip in a bit to hire some equipment to make a good local venue that could be ridden regularly. A R500 donation each would be a lot cheaper than multiple trips to KZN or WC.

 

Does it need as big a hill as Cascades? Or would lots of smaller linked places be better?

North West....Van Gaalens would be my first choice

 

You have a very passionate trailbuilder in the form of Eric Scipper there

Edited October 17, 2013 by rouxtjie

[Flowta]

FYI

Just been discussing the requirements for Enduro with the Warthogs

 

 

From the Enduro World Series Rule Book

http://www.enduroworldseries.com/downloads/EWS-2013Rules.pdf

 

 

4.1: Structure

All Special Stages must follow a predominantly descending route and focus

on testing the rider’s technical skills. Special exceptions can be made for

prologue stages.

Enduro racing is about best use of the trails and terrain available. Rider

experience and enjoyment should be the focus for any course setter. It is

expected that, in order to achieve the best riding on the best trails possible,

some climbs will feature within Special Stages

 

5.1: Race Format

- Individual start on all Special Stages

- Minimum of 4 Special Stages per event

- Minimum of 20 minutes total competition time for the fastest rider in the General Classification (accumulation of all Special Stages)

- Minimum of 3 different courses must be used per event

- Individual start times for each Special Stage must be provided by the organiser.

[flyluis]

Word on the street is that Harties will have a very nice enduro trail going down the mountain and It's not the downhill track...

 

[Super_mil]

As rouxtjie has said, I think Van Gaalens would be the best bet. It already has a decent trail network and there are some decently long technical descents. The tough bit may well be setting up a suitable timing platform as the potential descents are quite spread out.

[Mileage]

Ok so assuming speeds averaging 40-60kph for the down sections you would need at least 4 stages of about 4-5km length. And to have 3 different courses.

 

Thats a lot of trails.

 

Ok so if we were more interested in just a single 4-5km track that was a sweet ride with berms, drops, jumps etc where would be the best.

 

Harties just seems too rocky to me to be a great ride. Then again most of Gauteng is the same!

[Nofearnofun]

If its anything like the DH track with regards to trail quality and uplift cost then I wont be so keen!

[Super_mil]

Ok so assuming speeds averaging 40-60kph for the down sections you would need at least 4 stages of about 4-5km length. And to have 3 different courses.

 

Thats a lot of trails.

 

Ok so if we were more interested in just a single 4-5km track that was a sweet ride with berms, drops, jumps etc where would be the best.

 

Harties just seems too rocky to me to be a great ride. Then again most of Gauteng is the same!

 

You are VERY unlikely to average 40- 60km/h. Enduro is not pure downhill, so the average would most likely be in the 20-30km/h region.

Personally, I think natural trails should take preference over man-made obstacles.

[rouxtjie]

You are VERY unlikely to average 40- 60km/h. Enduro is not pure downhill, so the average would most likely be in the 20-30km/h region.

Personally, I think natural trails should take preference over man-made obstacles.

Yebo yes, agree with this post.

 

Also if there is enough interest, Eric might put a little more gradient into some of his well known sections like daggapad and oom piets. Keep it natural I say.

[Flowta]

You are VERY unlikely to average 40- 60km/h. Enduro is not pure downhill, so the average would most likely be in the 20-30km/h region.

Personally, I think natural trails should take preference over man-made obstacles.

 

As I posted earlier

 

Enduro racing is about best use of the trails and terrain available. Rider

experience and enjoyment should be the focus for any course setter. It is

expected that, in order to achieve the best riding on the best trails possible,

some climbs will feature within Special Stages

[Nofearnofun]

I love the Van Gaalens idea for a venue! The only issue I see is the distance between enduro trails. I think it is fair to say that it is not just me that doesnt like the sound of riding 20km of xc and climbing to get 3-5km of enduro trail. Not that I wont do it to get to a nice enduro trail I just dont like the idea

 

I quite like the set up at Giba where the trail centre is in a valley! Where to find a valley with good hills in Guateng thats not a mine dump

[rouxtjie]

I love the Van Gaalens idea for a venue! The only issue I see is the distance between enduro trails. I think it is fair to say that it is not just me that doesnt like the sound of riding 20km of xc and climbing to get 3-5km of enduro trail. Not that I wont do it to get to a nice enduro trail I just dont like the idea

 

I quite like the set up at Giba where the trail centre is in a valley! Where to find a valley with good hills in Guateng thats not a mine dump

Sure sure...super pointed that out and yes 100% correct, the sections are far apart. Maybe Eric can build more sections where he has gradient at his disposal.

[rouxtjie]

As I posted earlier

 

Enduro racing is about best use of the trails and terrain available. Rider

experience and enjoyment should be the focus for any course setter. It is

expected that, in order to achieve the best riding on the best trails possible,

some climbs will feature within Special Stages

you guys are going to vloek the concrete strips...ahahhaha

 

either way, even the special stages will be "pedally" compared to natal, WC or lowveld events...just is what it is.

[Super_mil]

I love the Van Gaalens idea for a venue! The only issue I see is the distance between enduro trails. I think it is fair to say that it is not just me that doesnt like the sound of riding 20km of xc and climbing to get 3-5km of enduro trail. Not that I wont do it to get to a nice enduro trail I just dont like the idea

 

I quite like the set up at Giba where the trail centre is in a valley! Where to find a valley with good hills in Guateng thats not a mine dump

 

But that is the idea of the format IFAIK. Riding on the way up and racing down.

 

Sure sure...super pointed that out and yes 100% correct, the sections are far apart. Maybe Eric can build more sections where he has gradient at his disposal.

 

I don't think it would be worthwhile to build more trails yet... Not until it becomes a viable format. Yes there will be long'ish rides to the start of stages, but initially we should use the trails we have (I think) and sort out some other the other logistics (like timing) and also gauge interest.

 

you guys are going to vloek the concrete strips...ahahhaha

 

either way, even the special stages will be "pedally" compared to natal, WC or lowveld events...just is what it is.

 

At least there is some traction on the concrete strips

[RocknRolla]

Kings Kloof in Kruger's dorp.

 

It is known as a place for "afkak" due to the nature of the route that involves a lot of climbing. However. looking at the enduro format, it presents some sections that is ideal for descending.

 

It's the main reason I normally go there, work on the ups, to get to the descents which are really enjoyable. add in some gap jumps, skinnies etc... and you have a winner.

[Super_mil]

Kings Kloof in Kruger's dorp.

 

It is known as a place for "afkak" due to the nature of the route that involves a lot of climbing. However. looking at the enduro format, it presents some sections that is ideal for descending.

 

It's the main reason I normally go there, work on the ups, to get to the descents which are really enjoyable. add in some gap jumps, skinnies etc... and you have a winner.

 

I was just going to suggest this spot. I've never ridden there, but all the stories I've heard have been about technical descents and challenging terrain...