TMB trails busy/Tokai closed

[HowardSteele]

Getting into a new  rhythm for our afternoon ride ...we have been riding from home at 17.30 straight up Tokai road onto the berg for the last 15 years we ride all year summer through winter .

Now we meet at 17h00 up at Rhodes. Mem ..this  means packing gear and loading the bike.mmm testing the grey mater with remembering to pack everything.

We ride the route up to the top road and drop down at the big tree,and back to the car-park.So far its been a pleasant affair have had one grumpy old man walker on the Orajezight side voice he's opinions about bikers on the berg even though I called a warning to him before passing and doing so at a reasonable speed. Further along we slowed for a friendly woman with about 5 dogs all well behaved and responding to her commands.This section is a slight downhill slope the next thing this cyclist barrels through us like he's in a race no warning no greeting. Obviously he's type had made an impression on the old dude we met earlier.

We are enjoying the views ...(must say the wind can be a bit of a b1tch) but getting a little concerned for our darker rides coming up as winter approaches. 

Thanks to the regulars for sharing your side of the berg.

[marko35s]

Getting into a new  rhythm for our afternoon ride ...we have been riding from home at 17.30 straight up Tokai road onto the berg for the last 15 years we ride all year summer through winter .

Now we meet at 17h00 up at Rhodes. Mem ..this  means packing gear and loading the bike.mmm testing the grey mater with remembering to pack everything.

In the same boat in a way.

For the past couple of years the routine has been to pick my youngster up from school at the earliest opportunity and head straight up the Tokai trails at least two to three times a week, it was very much 'our thing' and his school was pretty conveniently placed to do this.

Since the fire I haven't taken him anywhere as even the front of the mountain is that bit too far away to grab him, get there, ride and then get home on time to make dinner (I have a wife that cannot for the life of her cook).

So basically I stand around a lot looking lost and confused (often outside his school which may not be a good thing), hoping that a miracle happens and Tokai comes back online a little earlier than expected.

[KarlvN]

I have to say judging by the comments posted here and elsewhere that the A.C.E. is great for the sport, I agree, but not so great for our trails...Meerendal ST coming down from Dorstberg is rutted as heck, especially in the switchbacks, which tells me one thing only, guys and gals with cash who can afford a fancy shmancy mtb and entry ticket but with little to no skill all ride this race. After the pro's are through, the majority who follow will drag brakes into perfectly easy corners where bugger all braking is required, only some skill. I have never had such a rutted and bumpy ride down Dorstberg as on Saturday, merely a week after the final.

 

So my question is this, who is going to fix it? Or do we now have a gnarlier track to ride. And as for those berms, they are insane, but have already turned to powder with all the braking happening on them. My guess is they will not last. Sad.