South African MTB Trails compared to UK, USA, etc

[dirtypot]

Go and ride Lebanon and you'll quickly realize that you don't need to have manicured dirt to have an amazing trail.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Go and ride Lebanon and you'll quickly realize that you don't need to have manicured dirt to have an amazing trail.

*Old Jonkers

*Old Tokai

*Delvera

*The Glen (don't ride there though, that would be naughty)

*The Hoerikwagga  walking trail (see above)

*Contermanskloof

 

 

Etc etc etc... 

[Rapunzel]

In the biking videos I watch I've noticed that a great many of the mtb trails in the UK, US & elsewhere appear to be littered with well manicured dirt jumps, tabletops, rollers, wooden berms, fun looking ladder drops, etc. Our SA trails seem quite basic and limited in comparison! I'm really keen to do more jumping, but where? I bike mainly in the Tygerberg region and apart from a few drop offs at Contermans, there really doesn't seem to be too much available. Any suggestions?

There are numerous trail features at Bloemendal, Bloemendaaler, Contermanskloof as well as the cobra loop on Hooggekraal. There are some very good reasons why these features are not as gnarly as some riders would prefer:

• Technical (black or double black) trail costs up to 4 times as much to develop than a green or blue graded trail (based on historic TBMTB trail building costs).
• Technical trails require 2-3 times as much maintenance and is far more susceptible to erosion.
• Black and double black trail can only be ridden by about 20%  of club members (rough estimate).
• Accidents and liability are major issues. We have had a number of serious accidents on our trails and getting people evacuated from more remote areas is always a challenge.

Having 80% of the club's trail building resources on feature filled trail that can only be ridden by a minority of members just isn't feesible.

 

Our compromise is to build trails with obstacles that can be rolled by less experienced riders or jumped by those with suitable skills and equipment.

[Eddy Gordo]

Talking of the cobra at hoogekraal. Whats up with that huge gap jump down there? Its partially overgrown but damn it looks like somthing awesome.

[Jeanpg]

On the liability issue - has there been litigation here?

 

I've noticed some of the parks (Modderfontein, Big Red Barn to some extent) has started posting warning signs that are more intimidating than the actual "obstacle".

 

Any way to keep the lawyers and the helicopter parents out of the sport?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

On the liability issue - has there been litigation here?

 

I've noticed some of the parks (Modderfontein, Big Red Barn to some extent) has started posting warning signs that are more intimidating than the actual "obstacle".

 

Any way to keep the lawyers and the helicopter parents out of the sport?

IMBA. 

 

As long as your signage is fine, and the stuff is built to IMBA standards and graded accordingly (or more severe than it actually is) and you have your "at own risk" stuff lined up, as well as professional indemnity insurance, then you're fine. 

 

EDIT: And no, no litigation. As long as the signs are there, saying this trail is rated as X, and you have your "inspect first" signage up, then it's up to the rider to beware. 

[Velouria]

All there. We favour raw trail to manicured flow trails over here. Generally speaking. Easier to build and less impact on the surrounding environment

And yet when I rode in Australia I was astounded by the rawness of their trails. Rocks aren't moved off the trail, in fact I think they go out of the way to herd them onto the trail. And the trail we rode was marked as intermediate - I very quickly had to polish up my technical skills!

 

In general, I think our trails are far too manicured - it's makes for fun riding, but the challenge factor is missing. Not to sound like a grumpy old man, but the recent growth in our sport is partly to blame. Lots of new people to the sport that haven't had time to learn the basics, which results in trail owners having to dumb it down a bit to attract the masses.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

And yet when I rode in Australia I was astounded by the rawness of their trails. Rocks aren't moved off the trail, in fact I think they go out of the way to herd them onto the trail. And the trail we rode was marked as intermediate - I very quickly had to polish up my technical skills!

 

In general, I think our trails are far too manicured - it's makes for fun riding, but the challenge factor is missing. Not to sound like a grumpy old man, but the recent growth in our sport is partly to blame. Lots of new people to the sport that haven't had time to learn the basics, which results in trail owners having to dumb it down a bit to attract the masses.

we're getting better, though. It's our Marathon mentality that has resulted in the stagnation of tech, though. People don't concentrate on skills, so when they find themselves in a technical section, they freeze. They don't know how to handle it. 

 

It's getting better now through the increasing popularity of XCO / Enduro, which REQUIRES technical trail. 

[IH8MUD]

Usually I spent a lot of time on Canadian trails when visiting my brother there. (Kamloops BC)

 

I might be ignorant of some facts, but from what I have seen, the following comes to mind. 

 

1. I do not know how, but people seem to have time to develop and maintain trails and do not expect anything in return. The trails are nice, "bermed"  with jumps ext. The fact that they can use it to leisure seems enough reward. So the whole network just expands year after year. 

 

2. The whole thing of "crown land" and green space. The land belongs to the government or municipality and can be used buy all in a controlled manner. Is it much more "free" than we have here. 

 

3. Aside from the local trails en trail networks on crown land. There is also everywhere conservation areas, with kilometer on kilometer of hiking/cycling trails and picnic areas around lakes that is  cleaned and maintained  by local authorities.

 

Just my 2C  as to why the OP sees the big difference between "our" and "their" trails.  

[SwissVan]

Usually I spent a lot of time on Canadian trails when visiting my brother there. (Kamloops BC)

 

I might be ignorant of some facts, but from what I have seen, the following comes to mind. 

 

1. I do not know how, but people seem to have time to develop and maintain trails and do not expect anything in return. The trails are nice, "bermed"  with jumps ext. The fact that they can use it to leisure seems enough reward. So the whole network just expands year after year. 

 

2. The whole thing of "crown land" and green space. The land belongs to the government or municipality and can be used buy all in a controlled manner. Is it much more "free" than we have here. 

 

3. Aside from the local trails en trail networks on crown land. There is also everywhere conservation areas, with kilometer on kilometer of hiking/cycling trails and picnic areas around lakes that is  cleaned and maintained  by local authorities.

 

Just my 2C  as to why the OP sees the big difference between "our" and "their" trails.  

 

Interesting, do you know do the Canadian locals go about getting approval from the Govt to build the trails, what kind of loops do the have jump through before they can go ahead...do they even have to apply for permission?

 

Here in switz from my limited knowledge after talking to some LBS and reading local press releases I gather it is a major issue (takes years) to get permission to build a mtb of a few km's, not sure what has to be complied with but I can only imagine....

 

The ski resorts here usually have well developed trails but if you dont live near a ski resort then most often you are stuck with shared walking / hiking routes which tend to be not so mtb friendly (boring or impossible). Also there is a constant source of friction between hikers and bikers with hikers trying to get the bikers banned in some cases. This leaves illegal / secret trails which often get closed / disabled by those in authority. 

[Lance Cruz]

"1. I do not know how, but people seem to have time to develop and maintain trails and do not expect anything in return. The trails are nice, "bermed"  with jumps ext. The fact that they can use it to leisure seems enough reward. So the whole network just expands year after year. " Kamloops has a strong forestry industry, as does much of BC. Skills, work ethics and tools are in abundant supply. The province does supply access and funding of sorts in certain cases. 

"2. The whole thing of "crown land" and green space. The land belongs to the government or municipality and can be used buy all in a controlled manner. Is it much more "free" than we have here. " Canadian public security is the crucial mitigating factor in this case. 

"3. Aside from the local trails en trail networks on crown land. There is also everywhere conservation areas, with kilometer on kilometer of hiking/cycling trails and picnic areas around lakes that is  cleaned and maintained  by local authorities" Canadian population density is of great assistance here. Also: the recreation season is short, with a long winter. Petty squabbles are not conducive to enjoying the few weeks of outdoor activity. This is an incentive for cooperation and and responsible usage.  

[IH8MUD]

Interesting, do you know do the Canadian locals go about getting approval from the Govt to build the trails, what kind of loops do the have jump through before they can go ahead...do they even have to apply for permission?

. 

 

Sorry. I am not much help regarding how they go about this. 

As mentioned, I am ignorant on  the legislation and many other things. 

 

I just enjoyed it.

Parked the Jeep at the end of some logging road. And my brother led the way one all this nice track, stayed over is some mountain hut for 2 days, returned to an untouched Jeep two days later. 

Also did a local race, and bike parks, trails around town  and all the lakes (near towns)  we stopped at had benched and at least one walking/cycling trail. 

 

Lance Cruz  to knows much  and helped out a lot in his post.   Thanks. 

[BaltazarMarques]

Personally I wish there were more bike park type venues in or closer to JHB - You Cape and KZN peeps are SPOILED!!! I am talking more Gravity Based riding of course and a lot of that has to do with JHB having a pretty much flat landscape. But there are areas which could be developed.

 

It would be great to have somewhere with some bigger jumps, drops and obstacles that are not vert lipped dirt jumps but suitable for longer travel trail and DH bikes and that also go up in grade and technicality so you can build yourself up to the bigger things.

 

I do dig riding our natural terrain and there are lots of things to challenge you, but when I watch the movies and clips from overseas, I do wish I had anything close to that close by. Hakahana is a good days riding and from what I hear, more is going to get built which is exciting... I am prepared to get involved with a trail building group and although maybe obvious, I only really thought about looking if they exist in JHB after reading this thread... So if any JHB trail builders are reading this, hit me up - I'll come help and get involved as much as possible.

 

The Trailworx guys near Nelspruit and Remy in Tzaneen have been very busy building some awesome features and I'm def gonna do a weekend away there soon.

 

This trail looks wicked and just the thing I'm looking for... https://www.facebook.com/TrailworksSA?fref=ts

[DemitriN]

Yeah, I agree... au naturel is cool. But so is variety & I'd have no issues if some of those 'unnatural' trailpark fun features get thrown into the mix. Bring it on! On a recent trip to the Eastern Cape I biked for a few days at a motocross track which was totally awesome & great for practicing airs.

 

In terms of safety & insurance issues, the jumps and drop offs don't all need to be extreme test your manhood double black features for riders with DH bikes and death & disabillity insurance   Even a couple of small 50-70 cm rollers on a singletrack trail can be heaps of fun and easily doable by novice riders.         

 

 

 

 

[Lance Cruz]

"Even a couple of small 50-70 cm rollers on a singletrack trail can be heaps of fun and easily doable by novice riders." Never underestimate the ability of people to turn even the most innocuous trail feature into a Rampage worthy moment. 

 

Demetri if you want to ride big features the Barrington farm trails (Garden Route Trail Park) are well worth a weekend away. Karfloof's Rollercoaster section and the Outback trails, both sides of the Khyber pass, are littered with an excellent mix of natural obstacles and man-made features. 

We all live in hope for Jonkershoek's reconstruction. Coetzenburg XC course has some tidy little air sections too. And G-Sport, essentially next door. 

[Rapunzel]

Talking of the cobra at hoogekraal. Whats up with that huge gap jump down there? Its partially overgrown but damn it looks like somthing awesome.

I believe the hole was their when Bennet built the trail and he just er, uhm cashed in on it (don't know many who can jump it as it is monstrous)