South African MTB Trails compared to UK, USA, etc

[Squier]

I guess that's what the lads running Wolwespruit are aiming for. In addition to the normal "traditional" singletrack loop they've trucked in literally tons of earth/sand (whatever you call it) and are building a network of jump lines. Stuff that the normal XC type rider, like myself and 90% of the people here, would hardly even consider rolling through. Also, a really flowy and fun pump track.

 

I'm trying to find some phtos but there's not much - https://www.facebook.com/wolwespruit?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

 

I've always wondered who is sponsoring all the earth they've been trucking in. It's mountains of dirt. 

 

Anyway, it's the only mtb park I've been to with that sort of thing. I guess the issue is, for a land owner it's not that aesthetically pleasing seeing all these heaps of reddish brown dirt all over the place.

[NicoBoshoff]

I guess that's what the lads running Wolwespruit are aiming for. In addition to the normal "traditional" singletrack loop they've trucked in literally tons of earth/sand (whatever you call it) and are building a network of jump lines. Stuff that the normal XC type rider, like myself and 90% of the people here, would hardly even consider rolling through. Also, a really flowy and fun pump track.

 

I'm trying to find some phtos but there's not much - https://www.facebook.com/wolwespruit?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

 

I've always wondered who is sponsoring all the earth they've been trucking in. It's mountains of dirt. 

 

Anyway, it's the only mtb park I've been to with that sort of thing. I guess the issue is, for a land owner it's not that aesthetically pleasing seeing all these heaps of reddish brown dirt all over the place.

And, like I said, I (and I am goign to get slaughtered on here now) personally think those types of jump lines actually dumb down trails that otherwise had various line options, uneven terrain under foot, high speed decisions to make vs a wide highway where you only have to focus on the approaching lip (I am of course assuming jumping ability now).

 

Riding in MOrzine and Switzerland the tracks that made most of us poop ourselves weren't the lines with massive jumps - they were just fast and if you can jump, that's it (incredibly fun though!!) - it was the natural tracks with roots and rocks and blind drops into corners that left skidmarks not only on the trail.

 

Disclaimer:  I exclude from "us" Rupert because the stuff they rode, though built, was just so huge they were insane.  BUT having spoken to him lately the stuff he looks forward riding again this year when they go over (bastards) are the natural tracks.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

And, like I said, I (and I am goign to get slaughtered on here now) personally think those types of jump lines actually dumb down trails that otherwise had various line options, uneven terrain under foot, high speed decisions to make vs a wide highway where you only have to focus on the approaching lip (I am of course assuming jumping ability now).

 

Riding in MOrzine and Switzerland the tracks that made most of us poop ourselves weren't the lines with massive jumps - they were just fast and if you can jump, that's it (incredibly fun though!!) - it was the natural tracks with roots and rocks and blind drops into corners that left skidmarks not only on the trail.

 

Disclaimer: I exclude from "us" Rupert because the stuff they rode, though built, was just so huge they were insane. BUT having spoken to him lately the stuff he looks forward riding again this year when they go over (bastards) are the natural tracks.

Ja but Rupert isn't normal... lol

[GiantSpez]

those are play parks, we are xc maniacs

[LazyTrailRider]

those are play parks, we are xc maniacs

Not all of "us".

[Ryanpmb]

This topic makes me glad that my 'backyard' trails are Cascades, Karkloof, Howick etc...

[NicoBoshoff]

This topic makes me glad that my 'backyard' trails are Cascades, Karkloof, Howick etc...

#humblebrag

[Squier]

And, like I said, I (and I am goign to get slaughtered on here now) personally think those types of jump lines actually dumb down trails that otherwise had various line options, uneven terrain under foot, high speed decisions to make vs a wide highway where you only have to focus on the approaching lip (I am of course assuming jumping ability now).

 

Riding in MOrzine and Switzerland the tracks that made most of us poop ourselves weren't the lines with massive jumps - they were just fast and if you can jump, that's it (incredibly fun though!!) - it was the natural tracks with roots and rocks and blind drops into corners that left skidmarks not only on the trail.

 

Disclaimer:  I exclude from "us" Rupert because the stuff they rode, though built, was just so huge they were insane.  BUT having spoken to him lately the stuff he looks forward riding again this year when they go over (bastards) are the natural tracks.

 

Yeah, agreed.

 

I guess to your point and mine, the lines I'm referring to is completely man-made/"artificial" and uses nothing of the existing terrain except for the downward slope. It's not a natural trail with some built-in features, like most of our trails, which is something different the guys over there are doing in addition to their "traditional" trail.

 

https://youtu.be/2w1y6LTi7R0

 

[Simonpurdon]

If you believe enough in the trail-fairy a well manicured trail with dirt jumps, tabletops, rollers, wooden berms, fun looking ladder drops, etc will appear!

 

Where'd you hear the term trail-fairy?

[Stretch]

Come to Papa.... I mean Giba!!!

We are spoilt in KZN

 

St ives karkloof howick giba cascades - all have built jumps pump tracks etc etc

[Simonpurdon]

I spoke to a mate recently who went over to the UK and did some riding there and he said the biggest difference he noticed is the traversing rights.

 

Just about the whole region (he was out in the countryside somehwere) he was in was connected by mountain bike, as well as horse and running, trails that traversed over multiple farms. Some of the trails were specific to mtb or walking and apparently just about all of them were marked.

 

He said most farmers are happy for people to come onto their farms and build or upgrade the single track and each farm has its own feel to it, depending on who has built there obviously.

 

I'm not sure about indemnity forms etc. and what happens if someone hurts themselves on the tracks but I doubt if farmers were being sued left right and centre because someone got a graze on their farm this would be happening. We are unlikely to get to that point here anytime in the near future because of the security issues and distrust (issues of theft, sueing etc.) but just giving you some perspective on what I have heard.

[Ratty]

Tygerberg trails have been made for the majority, however the newer trails are getting more fun features. 

The new Lombards Terra is fantastic.  Its fairly short, but so much fun with loads of berms and a couple of jumps.

 

Surprised no one has mentioned Paul Cluver.  The obstacles look like a lot of fun (didn't get to try them as I went through during a race.

 

Jonkers had an awesome variety starting with easy jumps for people learning on the firehut trail to some bigger jumps on the DH lines. 

 

The other fun place with lots of fun obstacles for different levels is Southey Vines in Somerset West. 

 

There is a lot our there and still some that I know about but haven't tried.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I spoke to a mate recently who went over to the UK and did some riding there and he said the biggest difference he noticed is the traversing rights.

 

Just about the whole region (he was out in the countryside somehwere) he was in was connected by mountain bike, as well as horse and running, trails that traversed over multiple farms. Some of the trails were specific to mtb or walking and apparently just about all of them were marked.

 

He said most farmers are happy for people to come onto their farms and build or upgrade the single track and each farm has its own feel to it, depending on who has built there obviously.

 

I'm not sure about indemnity forms etc. and what happens if someone hurts themselves on the tracks but I doubt if farmers were being sued left right and centre because someone got a graze on their farm this would be happening. We are unlikely to get to that point here anytime in the near future because of the security issues and distrust (issues of theft, sueing etc.) but just giving you some perspective on what I have heard.

Ja, the traversing rights are historic in their nature, owing to the feudalism and the migratory nature of pretty much every culture on that island since before Roman times. Land ownership could not remove the right that people had to move across the country, as small as it was and remains to be. That has stayed with them as law and everyone has to abide by it. 

 

Some normal homes even have them in their back gardens, and have had to accept that at any point in time some random may walk through their property as it has a path through it... Some have walled them off so for all intents and purposes the paths are "outside" the property (to prevent people just wandering further into their yards and homes than would be strictly necessary when following the path) but that also reduces their usable plot size. 

[NicoBoshoff]

I spoke to a mate recently who went over to the UK and did some riding there and he said the biggest difference he noticed is the traversing rights.

 

Just about the whole region (he was out in the countryside somehwere) he was in was connected by mountain bike, as well as horse and running, trails that traversed over multiple farms. Some of the trails were specific to mtb or walking and apparently just about all of them were marked.

 

He said most farmers are happy for people to come onto their farms and build or upgrade the single track and each farm has its own feel to it, depending on who has built there obviously.

 

I'm not sure about indemnity forms etc. and what happens if someone hurts themselves on the tracks but I doubt if farmers were being sued left right and centre because someone got a graze on their farm this would be happening. We are unlikely to get to that point here anytime in the near future because of the security issues and distrust (issues of theft, sueing etc.) but just giving you some perspective on what I have heard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_roam

[niterider]

Hey NR - you got some pics or video footage of the trails your club has built?

There's a few short vids here - http://www.trailforks.com/region/whitford-forest/

 

The usual disclaimer about the gopro removing the steepness applies.

 

Ps. My point was not to boast about anything we've built, but just to say that we build what we like to ride.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Adding to the Right to Roam thing - that has sod all to do with trail building. It's SOLELY to convey right of access to certain tracts of land. Does not give you the right to do anything you want ON that land. 

 

Basically, if you build on land that isn't yours, you're sill gonna get into shaite.