Hakahana Enduro

[RockCoach]

I am still waiting for you to build that feature in the ruins

 

I know. Whatever we do still needs to hook up with Nutcracker...

[BenGraham]

So my brother and I went and rode the enduro stages by accident. We intended to simply ride the rinkhals. I said to him that the real enduro stages were seperate. Turns out I was wrong (I should probably have checked my facts, but in truth I rather hoped we'd stumble upon them). Wasn't too hectic though and loads of fun.

 

A few opinions.

The wall gap in this video is much scarier in person than in this vid. We didn't have the guts for it. All the stages just felt so short but I suppose you can't have a gradient like that for very long with so little real elevation. SP1 was I think my favourite with SP3 being second and SP2 I can't remember, not sure I ever saw a sign. I wasn't totally paying attention the whole time as we were supposed to simply be following the Rinkhals and the red loops. Awesome to have a real challenge on a down. Oh and finally - whats up with the wooden ramp at the end of SP3 (sidewinder) it just looks so steep. Not that I know anything about these things but we both saw it and just thought how does one survive that.

 

Oh yeah and whats up with the farmers; locked gates across the path one went to great lengths to make it difficult to even climb the fence. We had to climb over around 5 fences/gates in total and we were definitely on the correct route as we could see the route markers. Also on one section we kept coming across lengths of barbed wire around a foot long placed right on the single track so it looks like there is some animosity there (this was also the most troublesome fence/gate to get over). Just made us feel unwelcome.

 

Also I think the place just generally needs more berms through the corners. Far too often I found myself slowing into what should have been beautiful flowy single track because it was so flat and sometimes off camber through the turns but then I'm sure that will happen naturally with more traffic. And maybe I need chunkier tyres so I can drop the bike lower without loosing traction.

 

The XCO stuff was lots of fun but we only did the intersecting bit on the blue, sorry we didn't do a full lap. I think if we go back we'll make a proper thing of it.

 

Had a great time in general but as I said a few hiccups. And I have realised I am not fit enough for some of the uphills, need to train more.

[Nofearnofun]

So my brother and I went and rode the enduro stages by accident. We intended to simply ride the rinkhals. I said to him that the real enduro stages were seperate. Turns out I was wrong (I should probably have checked my facts, but in truth I rather hoped we'd stumble upon them). Wasn't too hectic though and loads of fun.

 

A few opinions.

The wall gap in this video is much scarier in person than in this vid. We didn't have the guts for it. All the stages just felt so short but I suppose you can't have a gradient like that for very long with so little real elevation. SP1 was I think my favourite with SP3 being second and SP2 I can't remember, not sure I ever saw a sign. I wasn't totally paying attention the whole time as we were supposed to simply be following the Rinkhals and the red loops. Awesome to have a real challenge on a down. Oh and finally - whats up with the wooden ramp at the end of SP3 (sidewinder) it just looks so steep. Not that I know anything about these things but we both saw it and just thought how does one survive that.

 

Oh yeah and whats up with the farmers; locked gates across the path one went to great lengths to make it difficult to even climb the fence. We had to climb over around 5 fences/gates in total and we were definitely on the correct route as we could see the route markers. Also on one section we kept coming across lengths of barbed wire around a foot long placed right on the single track so it looks like there is some animosity there (this was also the most troublesome fence/gate to get over). Just made us feel unwelcome.

 

Also I think the place just generally needs more berms through the corners. Far too often I found myself slowing into what should have been beautiful flowy single track because it was so flat and sometimes off camber through the turns but then I'm sure that will happen naturally with more traffic. And maybe I need chunkier tyres so I can drop the bike lower without loosing traction.

 

The XCO stuff was lots of fun but we only did the intersecting bit on the blue, sorry we didn't do a full lap. I think if we go back we'll make a proper thing of it.

 

Had a great time in general but as I said a few hiccups. And I have realised I am not fit enough for some of the uphills, need to train more.

 

Is this the jump you speak of?

[BenGraham]

Yes I think so. Sharp little wooden ramp and basically flat landing by the look of things and I think that's the spot. But as I said I still shy away from stuff like that so I really am not an informed opinion.

 

Is this the jump you speak of?

[Nofearnofun]

Yes I think so. Sharp little wooden ramp and basically flat landing by the look of things and I think that's the spot. But as I said I still shy away from stuff like that so I really am not an informed opinion.

Here is a little edit of the jump.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZNICVREqyE

[hayleyearth]

Yes I think so. Sharp little wooden ramp and basically flat landing by the look of things and I think that's the spot. But as I said I still shy away from stuff like that so I really am not an informed opinion.

 

Quite a few of us have survived that one....

hakahana_roadgap_normal speed_silent_002.wmv

[Nofearnofun]

We were going to build up the landing a bit but after the first test decided not to as it is smooth enough if you clear it. Also makes it safer to case.

[BenGraham]

Looking at it there it looks a lot less hectic kind of like the wall drop. Still though something I'll have to work towards. I remember it having a little rounded lip on the end like a couple boards that angled down but then I must admit I didn't stop and go back and have a proper look. I'm still trying to just get a feel for my bike in the air and trying to learn to land smooth and clean off humps and small drops JUMA actually gave me some nice opportunities for that in the some of the big storm water drains. Starting to feel more comfortable but also I'm on a hardtail so trying to land things super smooth since I know my legs have to be able to handle it.

[BenGraham]

Quite a few of us have survived that one....

hakahana_roadgap_normal speed_silent_002.wmv

This video is actually quite educational. Thanks. I think I may want to get a dropper post or do the stop and drop thing before considering this. I don't drop my post often as up until now it hasn't been necessary but I watched a video the other day of a guy doing the big gap on the spruit with a rigid fork and a high seatpost and it did not look pleasant.

[RockCoach]

I would never attempt any air with post up. I'm useless at jumping with post up.

[RockCoach]

So my brother and I went and rode the enduro stages by accident. We intended to simply ride the rinkhals. I said to him that the real enduro stages were seperate. Turns out I was wrong (I should probably have checked my facts, but in truth I rather hoped we'd stumble upon them). Wasn't too hectic though and loads of fun.

 

A few opinions.

The wall gap in this video is much scarier in person than in this vid. We didn't have the guts for it. All the stages just felt so short but I suppose you can't have a gradient like that for very long with so little real elevation. SP1 was I think my favourite with SP3 being second and SP2 I can't remember, not sure I ever saw a sign. I wasn't totally paying attention the whole time as we were supposed to simply be following the Rinkhals and the red loops. Awesome to have a real challenge on a down. Oh and finally - whats up with the wooden ramp at the end of SP3 (sidewinder) it just looks so steep. Not that I know anything about these things but we both saw it and just thought how does one survive that.

 

Oh yeah and whats up with the farmers; locked gates across the path one went to great lengths to make it difficult to even climb the fence. We had to climb over around 5 fences/gates in total and we were definitely on the correct route as we could see the route markers. Also on one section we kept coming across lengths of barbed wire around a foot long placed right on the single track so it looks like there is some animosity there (this was also the most troublesome fence/gate to get over). Just made us feel unwelcome.

 

Also I think the place just generally needs more berms through the corners. Far too often I found myself slowing into what should have been beautiful flowy single track because it was so flat and sometimes off camber through the turns but then I'm sure that will happen naturally with more traffic. And maybe I need chunkier tyres so I can drop the bike lower without loosing traction.

 

The XCO stuff was lots of fun but we only did the intersecting bit on the blue, sorry we didn't do a full lap. I think if we go back we'll make a proper thing of it.

 

Had a great time in general but as I said a few hiccups. And I have realised I am not fit enough for some of the uphills, need to train more.

The A lines aren't meant for everyone initially. You need to build up to them and take B lines in the mean time. There are some guys who ride, build and jump with us who have only been riding a year. They just progress so quickly by doing this kind of riding often.

 

A fast ride down SP1 is over 6 minutes. The other routes still need a little work which is happening this month.

[BenGraham]

The A lines aren't meant for everyone initially. You need to build up to them and take B lines in the mean time. There are some guys who ride, build and jump with us who have only been riding a year. They just progress so quickly by doing this kind of riding often.

 

A fast ride down SP1 is over 6 minutes. The other routes still need a little work which is happening this month.

Can I help out? I'm keen to ride those trails a bit more and have a strong young back (except on Mondays when I feel like an old man usually) and I've been a leach long enough. Money is always tight so petrol can be a problem going out that far and this month I'm taking pictures at the 94.7 and its respective other races. But if I get some warning and I'm not shooting I will try and help out.

 

For what its worth My time for SP1 looks like 8:15ish from endomondo, it doesn't do segments like strava so I can't actually be sure. And there was a pause in the middle where I waited for my brother to catch up. With auto pause its not strictly very accurate.

[RockCoach]

Can I help out? I'm keen to ride those trails a bit more and have a strong young back (except on Mondays when I feel like an old man usually) and I've been a leach long enough. Money is always tight so petrol can be a problem going out that far and this month I'm taking pictures at the 94.7 and its respective other races. But if I get some warning and I'm not shooting I will try and help out.

 

For what its worth My time for SP1 looks like 8:15ish from endomondo, it doesn't do segments like strava so I can't actually be sure. And there was a pause in the middle where I waited for my brother to catch up. With auto pause its not strictly very accurate.

PM me your cel number. Most of us drive from Joburg side so lifts can be arranged.

 

There is a build day this Sunday

[Daniel J Méssem]

Looking at it there it looks a lot less hectic kind of like the wall drop. Still though something I'll have to work towards. I remember it having a little rounded lip on the end like a couple boards that angled down but then I must admit I didn't stop and go back and have a proper look. I'm still trying to just get a feel for my bike in the air and trying to learn to land smooth and clean off humps and small drops JUMA actually gave me some nice opportunities for that in the some of the big storm water drains. Starting to feel more comfortable but also I'm on a hardtail so trying to land things super smooth since I know my legs have to be able to handle it.

 

having somewhere to practice drops is key, pwc cycle park has a nice variety, and many hubbers would be keen to demo them  

[G00SE]

having somewhere to practice drops is key, pwc cycle park has a nice variety, and many hubbers would be keen to demo them  

 

The drops at PWC are perfect to practice on, if you can do the biggest drop at PWC, you should be able to do the wall drop no prob. The trickiest part of the wall drop is keeping the bike under control once you've landed, as you get shot out at quite a speed.

[HAKAHANA TRAILS]

HAKAHANA ENDURO EVENT?? Ok the time has come to put it out there...

 

We want to hold our first (informal) Enduro Event this year still. We are hoping for the last weekend November, or first/second weekend December. The idea is to get as many of you like-minded guys out here as possible to help showcase the lines already built and the potential to follow. Accommodation can be arranged at Hakahana so we can really make a weekend of it. Please reply with your preferred weekend so we can  get things going. Also welcome to call me on 0828896515. Johan.