Mntboy Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 True, but I've seen 65old ladies in Howick with better bike handling skills than 95% of the riders that frequent our trails here in GP... It's all about access. If your local trails gives you the opportunity to progress your skills, your skills will progress. If your local trails are all about fitness, chances are that you will get fit. ( And chances are you'll buy a Spez SWORKS Epic to go with your skin suit.) And we can mission every weekend to go and find the "fun stuff", but would it not be great if most of our local trails have more features?And them having the features without the fear of getting their backsides sued off them? That'd be plenty good. It's essential to remember that while we are responsible for our own skills development we need trail builders and trail centres that are willing to build trails that'll challenge, encourage and inspire such an attitude in the rider. Hence the need to be aligned with IMBA and their local rep, as in our case, Meurant Botha.
Mntboy Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 I haven't checked the IMBA website, but in France there is definitely a "red" grading between blue and black. The red tracks in the PDP are more like our black trails and have secondary lines around most major features (ie GAP jumps and 1m+ drops). The black trails have no option lines. If you cannot ride the features you should not be on the trail.Ah ok I understand. [emoji106]
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 Red? I didn't see IMBA mention red as a grading option on their website but if it's in the manual then yeah ok I guess. How would you rate Black Hill's jump and flow lines? For me the Jump line is a classic black diamond with some double black diamond features, whereas the Flow line would be a mixture of green and blue.Red features extensively overseas, from what I'm told. But insofar as how that features in IMBA, I'm not sure. We only generally see green, blue, black, dbl black locally... As for Black hill - jump line def black & double black, which makes it double black as that's the highest level of feature on that particular section, and they're unavoidable (that's the key word here - avoidable vs unavoidable) Flow trails - I'd actually rate it a green, going on the following table... Difficulty is in the jumps, which are bigger, even though they're avoidable. If they were Unavoidable, then it'd be a black due to the size of the tables and those 2 gully drops.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 Criteria to Consider Tread Width The average width of the active tread or beaten path of the trail. Tread Surface The material and stability of the tread surface is a determining factor in the difficulty of travel on the trail. Some descriptive terms include: hardened (paved or surfaced), firm, stable, variable, widely variable, loose and unpredictable. Trail Grade (maximum and average) Maximum grade is defined as the steepest section of trail that is more than approximately 10 feet in length and is measured in percent with a clinometer. Average grade is the steepness of the trail over its entire length. Average grade can be calculated by taking the total elevation gain of the trail, divided by the total distance, multiplied by 100 to equal a percent grade. Natural Obstacles and Technical Trail Features Objects that add challenge by impeding travel. Examples include: rocks, roots, logs, holes, ledges, drop-offs, etc. The height of each obstacle is measured from the tread surface to the top of the obstacle. If the obstacle is uneven in height, measure to the point over which it is most easily ridden. Technical Trail Features are objects that have been introduced to the trail to add technical challenge. Examples include: rocks, logs, elevated bridges, teeter-totters, jumps, drop-offs, etc. Both the height and the width of the technical trail feature are measured.
Samurai Pizza Cat Posted October 12, 2015 Author Posted October 12, 2015 And them having the features without the fear of getting their backsides sued off them? That'd be plenty good. It's essential to remember that while we are responsible for our own skills development we need trail builders and trail centres that are willing to build trails that'll challenge, encourage and inspire such an attitude in the rider. Hence the need to be aligned with IMBA and their local rep, as in our case, Meurant Botha. I think that is exactly what trail builders / land owners should be aiming for. In the past some huge features were built, without thinking about the consequences, and without thinking about how riders will get the skills to ride these features. People got hurt, and now we have almost zero features. If you are going to build a huge jump, build a smaller, "safer", one next to it. That way people can learn how to jump safely. It is all about progression. That's why resources like the IMBA guidelines are so valuable. It's just amazing that so few people in the MTB industry know about these guidelines, or choose to ignore it.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 I think that is exactly what trail builders / land owners should be aiming for. In the past some huge features were built, without thinking about the consequences, and without thinking about how riders will get the skills to ride these features. People got hurt, and now we have almost zero features. If you are going to build a huge jump, build a smaller, "safer", one next to it. That way people can learn how to jump safely. It is all about progression. That's why resources like the IMBA guidelines are so valuable. It's just amazing that so few people in the MTB industry know about these guidelines, or choose to ignore it.Or, like they do it overseas (and soon on BlackHill, on that little gully jump) is build a kicker, and instead of having a mahoosive gap to landing, bring the landing closer but extend it on a more gradual slope so that you can boost it as far and long as you want. Be. Progressive. Be Be Progressive!
NicNacDH Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 So!We agree that something need and can be changed, for the better off all. But, how?
Mntboy Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 Red features extensively overseas, from what I'm told. But insofar as how that features in IMBA, I'm not sure. We only generally see green, blue, black, dbl black locally... As for Black hill - jump line def black & double black, which makes it double black as that's the highest level of feature on that particular section, and they're unavoidable (that's the key word here - avoidable vs unavoidable) Flow trails - I'd actually rate it a green, going on the following table... Difficulty is in the jumps, which are bigger, even though they're avoidable. If they were Unavoidable, then it'd be a black due to the size of the tables and those 2 gully drops. trail_difficulty_2.jpgIt's definitely the jumps in the flow line that had me thinking blue. Additionally you can also roll over the jumps. Really nice fun track that's been helpful in sorting out technique and fear issues. As irrational as this may sound I had an issue with steep. The gully drops have helped to deal with it to a degree. Just not sure how much since I've not ridden elsewhere in a while and won't be able too until I'm back from the Ivory Coast.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 So!We agree that something need and can be changed, for the better off all. But, how?Turn every trail centre into an olympic level XCO course with A B & C lines?
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 It's definitely the jumps in the flow line that had me thinking blue. Additionally you can also roll over the jumps. Really nice fun track that's been helpful in sorting out technique and fear issues. As irrational as this may sound I had an issue with steep. The gully drops have helped to deal with it to a degree. Just not sure how much since I've not ridden elsewhere in a while and won't be able too until I'm back from the Ivory Coast.Avoidable features... So safe, there.
Mntboy Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 Avoidable features... So safe, there.Indeed but I want to progress so it's ride, ride and ride some more. I've gotten to the point of wanting to jump so it's a case of think it through, try it and see if it works. If it does then it's practice, practice, practice. If it doesn't then figure out what went wrong and fix that and try again until I succeed. The point is however that the course allows for and encourages such thinking.
Gen Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 The IMBA trail grading in ascending order of difficulty: white circle, green circle, blue square, black diamond and double black diamond. The IMBA website gives a detailed explanation of what each color is but essentially it's a mix of trail width, gradient and natural features along with any man made alterations.So is Giba marked correctly then? Just asking so I know what to compare what colour to.
Samurai Pizza Cat Posted October 12, 2015 Author Posted October 12, 2015 Indeed but I want to progress so it's ride, ride and ride some more. I've gotten to the point of wanting to jump so it's a case of think it through, try it and see if it works. If it does then it's practice, practice, practice. If it doesn't then figure out what went wrong and fix that and try again until I succeed. The point is however that the course allows for and encourages such thinking.Careful...that attitude has gotten me fat and lazy. Almost all our riding the last year was about improving our skills. We now have to train like crazy for our year end holiday. Unless they changed the rules at Jonkershoek and we are now allowed to shuttle...
Rapunzel Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 On the Tygerberg trails, signage is being erected at the trail head which gives the IMBA grading along with the trail name, length and vertical meters climbed - problem solved
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 Careful...that attitude has gotten me fat and lazy. Almost all our riding the last year was about improving our skills. We now have to train like crazy for our year end holiday. Unless they changed the rules at Jonkershoek and we are now allowed to shuttle... That's why it's good to have trails as a loop. Kaaaaak off on the climb, and do the fun stuff whilst absolutely knackered. As you get fitter, you get faster. Then when it comes to the competitions and timed downs, you're used to doing stuff when dog tired, so it automatically becomes easier.. That's what I've missed terribly with Tokai being gone. Yes, you can session BH and G Spot etc, but that looooong climb up to the top really really helps with the fitness...
EmptyB Posted October 12, 2015 Posted October 12, 2015 True, but I've seen 65 year old ladies in Howick with better bike handling skills than 95% of the riders that frequent our trails here in GP... It's all about access. If your local trails gives you the opportunity to progress your skills, your skills will progress. If your local trails are all about fitness, chances are that you will get fit. ( And chances are you'll buy a Spez SWORKS Epic to go with your skin suit.) And we can mission every weekend to go and find the "fun stuff", but would it not be great if most of our local trails have more features? Sorry if I missed it but are Howick and Karkloof correctly graded according to IMBA?
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