Merry Pebbles/Sabie Routes

[Vangar]

So, after a long tough year I've gotten some good news and am heading off camping at Merry Pebbles in Sabie in December. Now last time I was there the castle rock trails were beautiful, but a @#%@ to follow. So....I'm looking for some maps/recommendations  for these and other trails in the area from anyone who has some for me. In the area or a short drive away.

 

Course files that I could use for my Edge 500 would be amazing as well

[River Rat]

I tried to ride from Castle Rock in August but found only an empty office. Merry Pebbles did have trails open but only the 28k was sufficiently marked. The chap behind the counter told me that there is virtually no maintenance on these trails. I rode the 28k and felt that markings were barely adequate.

 

Another option is to ride the trails at Mankele near Sudwala caves, some great technical options here. Also try Induna Adventures near Hazyview

[blondeonabike]

Go to strava.  Look under "segment explore" zoom into Sabie area, local segments will pop up.  Select a segment in the area you choose to ride, and go to the full leaderboard for the segment.  Then select one of the dates in the date column and the riders full ride map will pop up.  If it is a route to your liking just click the download gpx icon. 

[nickc]

I tried to ride from Castle Rock in August but found only an empty office. Merry Pebbles did have trails open but only the 28k was sufficiently marked. The chap behind the counter told me that there is virtually no maintenance on these trails. I rode the 28k and felt that markings were barely adequate.

 

Another option is to ride the trails at Mankele near Sudwala caves, some great technical options here. Also try Induna Adventures near Hazyview

Castle Rock is the Muncipal Camping site and like anything else Muncipal is dying a slow death.

 

Also stayed at Merry Pebbles and between the maps they give and the info from the guys there and following my nose managed to get a decent ride in everyday - must admit some of it I felt a bit like Dr Livingstone - did a bit of trailblazing/exploring.  Even stumbled accross the Shooting Range in the Forest we used when I was in the army.

 

Agree as well with Rat - take the time to take a drive to Mankele as well, not to far and worth it.

[jcza]

Go to the bike shop in town in the Woodsman centre and speak to the guy there.

[Deon V Vuuren]

go to york timbers office on the main road opposite the golf club and see Odette Van Staden.

she will be able to help you with downloaded routes.

[Vangar]

And that's why I love the hub. Awesome advice from everyone, will definitely do a trip to Mankele and Induna, and thanks for the tip scrap.

[jcza]

Remembered the name of the shop (at my age etc etc) http://www.cyclejunkies.co.za/

[SwissVan]

Go to strava.  Look under "segment explore" zoom into Sabie area, local segments will pop up.  Select a segment in the area you choose to ride, and go to the full leaderboard for the segment.  Then select one of the dates in the date column and the riders full ride map will pop up.  If it is a route to your liking just click the download gpx icon. 

 

O Strava Queen......

[SwissVan]

Sabie used to have (ok 12 years + ago) at least 3 nice routes pretty well marked---Wot happened have they not kept up with the rest of SA wrt to mountain biking oppurtunities ??

[Flippa]

I rode there in December last year and the markings weren't great. Got 41km on the 25km trail and 60km on the 35km trail. The riding is amazing though.

 

I've also ridden at Mankele and can recommend it thoroughly

[madmarc]

Merry pebbles is poorly marked but worth the effort, get their sort - of map from the shop and make your way through the trails. we did all their single track and then took the forestry road up past the falls (visited each one) up to Misty Mountain chalets. You can also visit Induna trails about 10k's before Hayzieview. they don't have long trails but the short steep climbs will test you. Their is also a section of the trail, where you will miss the turn and end up on a big rock next to a waterfall. It's a wrong turn that finds a hidden gem on the route. strip down and go for a swim then ride back up the trail to find the right hand turn to finish the ride (just be carefull of the flat dogs that also share the river)

 

The Holy Grail though is Mankele, no MTBer should be allowed to leave the Lowveld without proof the they ridden Mankele. Also be carefull of the snakes here, they have a tendency to very quickly improve your Bunny hoping skills  

[the nerd]

Pro Tip:

 

Mark where merry pebbles is as home on your Garmin...

 

The 60km the flippa mentions was awesome but was a bit of a struggle... I was there... it was hard on an SS..

[Dablims]

Such a pity that these trails are in such a state. There is so much potential. I tried the blue and green route this weekend. Both these as well as the purple route gets lost after the Lone Creek falls. I searched and searched but could not regain the trails. So no finished routes for me.

I wonder about the permits sold at Merry Pebbles. Are they realy for Komatilands poor trails or just a quick buck?

I reckon that no one complains because you do get to see some good single track but I feel cheated because I could not finish a single trail I started.

Anyone else ridden there lately?