Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Sorry DD, except for the odd rocky section, that last all of 20m there are nothing at Avianto that is even remotely challenging. Thaba have one rock section of about 100m that could be classified as technical, but even that is only rated "blue". Now that the DH track has been killed , nothing at Thaba should be rated above blue. The climb to the Vulture route is challenging, and there are some tech sections at VG like Pof Adder, but it's more about riding over or through rocky sections than being comfortable with your bike riding at speed, and doing drop offs, gap jumps etc. Even PWC had to modify their drop offs after people complained that they are too dangerous. (1.25m ) PWC also killed off all their gap jumps...so much for the growth of tech trails in GP. The fact that you did not even mention Hakahana makes me wonder what you define as technical. Because honestly, that is the only trail we have that challenges you to improve your bike skills. It has a great variety of features that you can practice on and speed is a definate factor.But even Hakahana is not even remotely close to the old Jonkershoek trails. And from what I've seen of the new Jonkershoek trails, nothing will get close in the near future. Great trails are about flow, and speed and cool features that makes sense because it's in exactly the right place on that trail....it's not about single track on the climbs and Jeep tracks on the downhills...where did I see this...oh yes, at both Avianto and Van Gaalens And on the really really technical trails, you have to make your own flow. No inherent flow, just loads and loads of tech
Jeanpg Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Did 3 towers last week - absolutely brilliant! But we did joke that you wouldn't be able to see the trail for the signage if they let the guy who did the Central Park signage loose there! Some broad idea of level would be great - I have certain skills, and I lack others (i.e. jumps) - most places I've ridden either don't have jumps or the jumps are big enough to "activate my common sense" - progression would be fantastic. Geographically, what you are used to makes a big difference - rode a race at Cascades last year. Triple down arrows on a bit of rock garden and no signage at all on some slippery switchbacks bordered by drops - I found the rock garden a non-obstacle and thought I might die on the switchbacks - the locals considered the signage an accurate reflection of risk. Having these variations indicated in some way might be useful too.
patches Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 This anthill just popped up on the Spruit. Seriously though, can you believe the nerve of those ants. No signage, and that is clearly a blue obstacle, placed in a green belt. Why do these freaking ants keep on technicling up out Spruit!
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Patch, that obstacle is a black... ☺ well, according to the guidelines at least It may not be the biggest, but gap and higher than 18"
NotSoBigBen Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 snip snip Thaba have one rock section of about 100m that could be classified as technical, but even that is only rated "blue". snip snip One day when I'm big I'd like to be like you .....
Super_mil Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 This anthill just popped up on the Spruit. IMG-20151012-WA0017.jpg Seriously though, can you believe the nerve of those ants. No signage, and that is clearly a blue obstacle, placed in a green belt. Why do these freaking ants keep on technicling up out Spruit!I'd say that obstacle is a reddish-brown colour.
patches Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Patch, that obstacle is a black... ☺ well, according to the guidelines at least It may not be the biggest, but gap and higher than 18" I'd say that obstacle is a reddish-brown colour. Well no matter what the PC word is for that anthill, I am planning on rallying up a bicycle gang to do try ride it flat on Friday afternoon and teach those damn ants a lesson!
RocknRolla Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Personally I don't see the merit in classifying xcm/xco trails (which is predominant in Gauteng) according to DHI ratings. Are XCO tracks internationally graded according to this IMBwhatever system?
EmptyB Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 One day when I'm big I'd like to be like you .....Me too...
Andrew Steer Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 One day when I'm big I'd like to be like you ..... #soon
Mntboy Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Patch, that obstacle is a black... ☺ well, according to the guidelines at least It may not be the biggest, but gap and higher than 18"Then this jump, photo from Caroline Buchanan's Facebook page, must be a double black diamond...........
the nerd Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Sorry DD, except for the odd rocky section, that last all of 20m there are nothing at Avianto that is even remotely challenging. Thaba have one rock section of about 100m that could be classified as technical, but even that is only rated "blue". Now that the DH track has been killed , nothing at Thaba should be rated above blue.The climb to the Vulture route is challenging, and there are some tech sections at VG like Pof Adder, but it's more about riding over or through rocky sections than being comfortable with your bike riding at speed, and doing drop offs, gap jumps etc. Even PWC had to modify their drop offs after people complained that they are too dangerous. (1.25m ) PWC also killed off all their gap jumps...so much for the growth of tech trails in GP. The fact that you did not even mention Hakahana makes me wonder what you define as technical. Because honestly, that is the only trail we have that challenges you to improve your bike skills. It has a great variety of features that you can practice on and speed is a definate factor.But even Hakahana is not even remotely close to the old Jonkershoek trails. And from what I've seen of the new Jonkershoek trails, nothing will get close in the near future. Great trails are about flow, and speed and cool features that makes sense because it's in exactly the right place on that trail....it's not about single track on the climbs and Jeep tracks on the downhills...where did I see this...oh yes, at both Avianto and Van Gaalens I don't think you have ridden Thaba either a) All of it b) In a long while...
the nerd Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Not everything is about #enduro or Downhill...
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Then this jump, photo from Caroline Buchanan's Facebook page, must be a double black diamond...........IMG_97744999778924.jpegYes.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Not everything is about #enduro or Downhill... Nobody said it was. That sort of distinction, when it comes to trail difficulty, is misleading. There is no such thing as a "downhill trail" or an "enduro trail" - there are trails of various technical difficulty, which are graded according to the features that they have. You can have a double black XC course quite easily (some of the XCO courses come to mind) What it IS about, is grading the trails PROPERLY, regardless of the type of bike that you ride. IMBA allows that through the guidelines.
the nerd Posted October 13, 2015 Posted October 13, 2015 Nobody said it was. That sort of distinction, when it comes to trail difficulty, is misleading. There is no such thing as a "downhill trail" or an "enduro trail" - there are trails of various technical difficulty, which are graded according to the features that they have. You can have a double black XC course quite easily (some of the XCO courses come to mind) What it IS about, is grading the trails PROPERLY, regardless of the type of bike that you ride. IMBA allows that through the guidelines. I know this... but some people don't that was the point of my post. Thaba hosted a provincial XCO race a few years back UCI graded, the complaints from that race were unreal coming from "top racers" as the course was brutal! I am in 100% agreement with you, just not the OP and his trail bashing views on other peoples hard work and lack of actual grading principals.
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