Northern Farms - Direction??

[Disher]

Good morning - straight off the bat, this is not a complaint, aggravation, moan or whine... I would simply like to ask a question.

I have ridden northern farms a good many times. Yesterday for the first time ever I came across quite a few folk travelling in (in my mind) what seemed like the wrong direction. For example, all the routes (red blue black and green start from just to the right of the tunnel and go down the longish hill.... from there they dissipate into whichever colour you choose... now specifically the blue route goes further down and follows the fence on the climb... yesterday two folk came barrelling down that hill towards quite a few oncoming riders..

 

much further on in the ride, the same two folk came down another hill which I would have imagined is the again the wrong way..... then later in the ride a different set of lads also came belting along the blue route from again what I assumed is the wrong direction.?

 

Now again - not a criticism, not a whinge, just merely a question, are those routes multi directional?? can you just ride off in any direction and follow any trail in any direction?? I know NF is a family environment and pretty relaxed and i'm super happy with that. I'm also not giving a continental about a strava time so am generally the first to move over, wave other folk through etc.

 

Just interested to know whether one can ride from any direction on any route at any time.

 

PS. No words were exchanged, no unpleasant situations experienced, no accidents narrowly avoided. Nothing to mess with what was actually an awesome sunday morning cycle.

 

any ideas??

[Paul Ruinaard]

Yes i noticed it as well but seen as though it was on the jeep track i didn't comment. The farm is very crowded and will die down again once the noobs have gone about their MTB resolution. Its going to cause problems one of these days.

 

I have found people on the single track going the wrong way as well, which i did say something about.

 

Lots of people stopped in the middle of the track chatting, riding side by side on the roads and unaware of the general rules.

 

I think its a new year thing, but i do think we are in for a serious head on some day soon if we are not careful. Its happened already on the Spruit. All we need is a big accident to get in to the local rags and then there wil be a big stink...

[ahp005]

Good morning - straight off the bat, this is not a complaint, aggravation, moan or whine... I would simply like to ask a question.

I have ridden northern farms a good many times. Yesterday for the first time ever I came across quite a few folk travelling in (in my mind) what seemed like the wrong direction. For example, all the routes (red blue black and green start from just to the right of the tunnel and go down the longish hill.... from there they dissipate into whichever colour you choose... now specifically the blue route goes further down and follows the fence on the climb... yesterday two folk came barrelling down that hill towards quite a few oncoming riders..

 

much further on in the ride, the same two folk came down another hill which I would have imagined is the again the wrong way..... then later in the ride a different set of lads also came belting along the blue route from again what I assumed is the wrong direction.?

 

Now again - not a criticism, not a whinge, just merely a question, are those routes multi directional?? can you just ride off in any direction and follow any trail in any direction?? I know NF is a family environment and pretty relaxed and i'm super happy with that. I'm also not giving a continental about a strava time so am generally the first to move over, wave other folk through etc.

 

Just interested to know whether one can ride from any direction on any route at any time.

 

PS. No words were exchanged, no unpleasant situations experienced, no accidents narrowly avoided. Nothing to mess with what was actually an awesome sunday morning cycle.

 

any ideas??

I posted the question on there facebook site waiting for an answer. It irritates me as well that people travel in the wrong direction.

[ianhoy]

Hi

 

Remember that all roads and jeep track have always been two way traffic.  

 

The single tracks are one way and have signs at end saying no entry so people are just being idiots as they cannot read. 

 

We do hand out pamphlets with rules of farm on at entrance at this time of the year, but once again people do not read.

 

In the single track, you are fully within your right to yell at people if they going the wrong way and must be "instructed" to rectify their behavior.

 

Jeep track and roads - simple rule - keep left pass right - but it seems people forget this simple rule of the road when they get on their bikes. 

 

Regards

[Disher]

Okay thanks so that essentially answers the question.. all roads and jeep tracks are dual direction... . That clarifies it thanks.    

[Mckpatent]

This morning at NF about 9kms into the Blue route, just after the river crossing, I was overtaking a guy on the long climb that follows the crossing. It was a road (so I guess in terms of the previous posts it is bi-directional even though completely against the direction of the Blue route) but as I moved out to overtake, I was clipped by a guy absolutely barreling down the hill. The collision spun me off my bike and I landed hard on my back with the back of my helmet smashing hard into the ground. I blacked out for a few seconds, such was the force of the collision. When I groggily sat up, it was to see the guy who hit me, getting on his bike and riding off with his mate, without so much as a backward glance.

 

To the Good Samaritan who stopped and escorted me back to the guard who called ER24 (I was completely groggy for a good few minutes), to the ER24 guy who came out and did the tests on me and took me and my ruined bike back to the Clubhouse, many, many thanks.

 

Spent the day in Linksfield clinic getting checked out (all good - I was very lucky) but trust me when I tell you, you can never spend enough on your helmet. Mine is split like an egg and without doubt saved me a lot of damage today.

 

Finally, to the asswipe who hit me and then fled the scene, just remember the wheel is round (except mine now) and as somebody famous once said, instant Karma's gonna get you. And whenever that may be, it isn't soon enough.

[mrbaker]

This morning at NF about 9kms into the Blue route, just after the river crossing, I was overtaking a guy on the long climb that follows the crossing. It was a road (so I guess in terms of the previous posts it is bi-directional even though completely against the direction of the Blue route) but as I moved out to overtake, I was clipped by a guy absolutely barreling down the hill. The collision spun me off my bike and I landed hard on my back with the back of my helmet smashing hard into the ground. I blacked out for a few seconds, such was the force of the collision. When I groggily sat up, it was to see the guy who hit me, getting on his bike and riding off with his mate, without so much as a backward glance.

To the Good Samaritan who stopped and escorted me back to the guard who called ER24 (I was completely groggy for a good few minutes), to the ER24 guy who came out and did the tests on me and took me and my ruined bike back to the Clubhouse, many, many thanks.

Spent the day in Linksfield clinic getting checked out (all good - I was very lucky) but trust me when I tell you, you can never spend enough on your helmet. Mine is split like an egg and without doubt saved me a lot of damage today.

Finally, to the asswipe who hit me and then fled the scene, just remember the wheel is round (except mine now) and as somebody famous once said, instant Karma's gonna get you. And whenever that may be, it isn't soon enough.

I heard about your incident from a friend of mine who's child goes to the same school as your child...

Sorry for your accident- the other rider sounds like a right knob head and I hope he face plants nicely one day...

I am pleased to hear that there is no lasting damage!!

[Bonus]

Hi

 

Remember that all roads and jeep track have always been two way traffic.  

 

The single tracks are one way and have signs at end saying no entry so people are just being idiots as they cannot read. 

 

We do hand out pamphlets with rules of farm on at entrance at this time of the year, but once again people do not read.

 

In the single track, you are fully within your right to yell at people if they going the wrong way and must be "instructed" to rectify their behavior.

 

Jeep track and roads - simple rule - keep left pass right - but it seems people forget this simple rule of the road when they get on their bikes. 

 

Regards

 

"Jeep track and roads - simple rule - keep left pass right - but it seems people forget this simple rule of the road when they get on their bikes."

 

In my experience this rule is clearly not as simple as you think . . . . . and yet people seem to manage to drive on the correct side of the road day in and day out - because their lives depend on it.

 

Can only imagine that sitting on a saddle instead of a comfy car seat does something to their brains ;-)

[floatfox]

I could be wrong, but if I recall there was a bad head on at nf last year.

[Disher]

Sorry to hear about your incident mate, what time was it. ?? We rode the blue route and at the top of the climb you're talking about turned right (got off the trail) and took a breather....must have been around 10h15?? Heard some shouting and commotion, so went back to look but all seemed serene??

 

Yeah look the rules are da rules as they say...  be careful out there lads..(and lasses)

[FlandersZA]

Sheesh, hectic one, Mckpatent.

 

I've noticed these wrong way go-ers quite a few times. My favourite encounter must have been on the singletrack river section. They also always seem to look at you like you're the one being a moron. Fckn' idiots.

[BBS]

Hi there

 

I have too noticed this and also raised a brow of concern in my mind from a safety aspect.  Maybe it should be brought to the attention of Northerns so they can maybe just add it to the rules or enlighten us.

[Spokey]

Bad accident and bad form not to stop and assist, but as it stands now, the roads and jeep track are two way traffic, irrespective of the coloured route. It has been one of my pleasures in many years riding at NF that I can just go and mix and match my own routes, however, I pay close attention to the single track markings and ride those in the correct direction!

[Bonus]

It has been one of my pleasures in many years riding at NF that I can just go and mix and match my own routes, however, I pay close attention to the single track markings and ride those in the correct direction!

It's good isn't it? There aren't many places I ride where it's so easy to ""do your own thing"

[Grant Frewen]

Hello Disher and all fellow Nfarms compadres and riders

once upon a time many moons ago Nfarms was not sanctioned, signed and safe.There were no guards ,no tuckshop or bikewash .25 cars in the parking lot was alot.You rode wherever you wanted as fast as you wanted and obeyed a couple of basic rules only ...keep left pass right and of course the second rule- riders  coming up have right of way on single track . 

Things have changed ,there is alot more single track now,people wear the same shirts  as if they were playing soccer  and also there are ALOT more riders but the two basic rules are still paramount and if you dont obey them you WILL at some stage get hurt .As a poster here found out .

Single track that is signed as directional is to be obeyed .Of course its designed that way ...mistakes do happen but be polite about it not a righteous muggle.

However remember not everyone needs to herded and so when on any other path/track/road the 1st 2 rules apply absolutely...no excuses!!!.Bunchs be aware of this , you are not roadies anymore,youve evolved and so should your conscience and encumbant ability.

I have never followed the blue/black pink /or Move what what signs .Its cool if you do,people need guidance  and Im happy that everybody is getting into the sport as its improving alot of the quality of races and opening up the general public to the idea.But there are some of us who have been doing this for along time and our old skool rules still apply and we stick to them and so should you .

Then everyone will have a nice time and this forum will be choeps still.

[Uni]

I had a lovely ride there yesterday.

Chop free. One section of jeep track climb which while no specific signage is the end section of green /blue going out- i was head down missioning my way up when three guys came down, they slowed and apologized, i moved over we all carried on our merry way.

 

 

Had one oh SH 1T moment at the start tunnel. As we were heading into it (3 girls)two guys walked out. Normally the farm workers walking around seem to be doing so with purpose, these two seemed to be loitering and the one guy had his hand in his pocket. I told the girls to move over to give them a wide berth and I watched that hand closely.

 

Personally i don't see the effectiveness of the "guards" around. There is simply too much ground to cover but i guess if it gives people piece of mind ...

Edited February 9, 2015 by Uni