Trail Daze: Jonkershoek rising from the ashes

[Serious Panda]

I did not see the map but its probably still there. A map at the gate is not good enough, if the trails are not blocked off it will be ridden. I do not want to ride closed trails but I never saw/looked for a map, it would be better to just close off the entrances and exists with tape and logs/rocks, this is what I expected but there was no blockages and the trails seemed ridable.

 

Maybe the person working at the gate should inform riders of the map and to not ride the closed trails,

[Amberdrake]

Last month odd when I last rode Jonkers, I made a point of asking at gate where am i allowed to ride and where not (had not been there in forever). The reply went something like this "If you can get there you can ride it, over weekends there are no limits." 

I would recommend some better information availability at the gate specifically at the person that you pay/sign in. Would also help to have some signs indicating how to get to trail xyz making it easier for those that don't know to find open trails.

 

 

My 2c hope it helps

[Rock Guy]

Ja thought so.  It's closed mate.  Not open to riding.

Hi NicoBoshoff. Not to deliberately throw a spanner in the works or anything, and for all I know you may well be the man the decides what is and is not open to ride in Jonkers, but I do have 2 cents to contribute here. I live in Stellies and stick to all the rules on what trails to ride. I have kept off all the trails and roads in Jonkers that were closed since the fires.

 

Every time I sign in at the gate I ask the dude that works there what is open to ride, On Tuesday I asked him specifically if the route to get to Saaltjie (i.e. the one in the picture) was open and he said that after 5 (and when the guys are finished logging for the day) it's open to ride. 

 

If this is not the case then the gate staff need to be better informed, especially if areas are not taped off either (which it wasn't).

 

That said. I don't want to get killed by rock slides or falling trees, so if there is a miscommunication between management and gate staff at Jonkers that is a serious concern.

[Zatopek]

Hi NicoBoshoff. Not to deliberately throw a spanner in the works or anything, and for all I know you may well be the man the decides what is and is not open to ride in Jonkers, but I do have 2 cents to contribute here. I live in Stellies and stick to all the rules on what trails to ride. I have kept off all the trails and roads in Jonkers that were closed since the fires.

 

Every time I sign in at the gate I ask the dude that works there what is open to ride, On Tuesday I asked him specifically if the route to get to Saaltjie (i.e. the one in the picture) was open and he said that after 5 (and when the guys are finished logging for the day) it's open to ride. 

 

If this is not the case then the gate staff need to be better informed, especially if areas are not taped off either (which it wasn't).

 

That said. I don't want to get killed by rock slides or falling trees, so if there is a miscommunication between management and gate staff at Jonkers that is a serious concern.

 

I was considering to go to saaltjie this coming weekend - it seemed to be open 5 days ago: https://instagram.com/specializedza/

 

Can I legally get there currently?

 

Keen to ride Jonkers again, but very strict on myself to do only 'open' routes.

 

Personally I would think when routes are closed, they are 100% closed for a reason - they should not be open to 'invites' until the reason for the closure is invalid.

[Jewbacca]

Did it rain in Stellenbos yesterday?

 

Was that rain sufficient moisture to 'bed' in the trails?

 

Or realistically are we looking at riding Jonkers again in June next year when winter sets in?

 

I can't see there being too much precipitation between now and then but hopefully I am wrong. Hoping that this was the end of a dry spell.... The drought can't last forever with some cold November Rains.....

[jannosmit]

I was considering to go to saaltjie this coming weekend - it seemed to be open 5 days ago: https://instagram.com/specializedza/

 

Can I legally get there currently?

 

Keen to ride Jonkers again, but very strict on myself to do only 'open' routes.

 

Personally I would think when routes are closed, they are 100% closed for a reason - they should not be open to 'invites' until the reason for the closure is invalid.

 

That is an old pic that was posted. I also have it that the climbs to saaltjie is open "afterhours", on weekends the bottom gate is always open. I can't comment about the singletracks from the top.

[Zatopek]

That is an old pic that was posted. I also have it that the climbs to saaltjie is open "afterhours", on weekends the bottom gate is always open. I can't comment about the singletracks from the top.

Thanks, will rather go to Neverending then.

[droenn]

I'm going to head up tomorrow - if nothing else open can do neverending a couple of times.

[Nick]

It's best to follow the MTO Trails - Jonkershoek Facebook page for updates:

 

MTO Trails - Jonkershoek

4 November at 13:40 · 

 

Trail Update: The signage is being collected today. Thanks so much to Dave Hartley from Action Frames (also an avid trail rider and big fan of Jonkershoek) for the very generous contribution.

 

Bennet's words last night ... "when I overcome this mountain this trail is going to be on another level ... there will be nothing like this trail in Africa, at least that I know of". We've definitely gone BIG in terms of the Red Line, however it's taking Bennet longer than expected to reach the trail head. The goal is that he finishes this Friday (fingers crossed) and the signage is erected next week, meaning the trails open next week. Stay tuned but that's the latest. We are almost there, albeit the mountain is proving more challenging than we expected.

 

Finally, the rain was very welcome but despite the showers the trails are still very powdery. Let's hope for more rain.

[droenn]

Cool, if any changes announced on Facebook could someone post here for those of us who don't use it.

 

Otherwise I'll assume the red line is closed until then.

[NixM]

Last month odd when I last rode Jonkers, I made a point of asking at gate where am i allowed to ride and where not (had not been there in forever). The reply went something like this "If you can get there you can ride it, over weekends there are no limits." 

I would recommend some better information availability at the gate specifically at the person that you pay/sign in. Would also help to have some signs indicating how to get to trail xyz making it easier for those that don't know to find open trails.

 

 

My 2c hope it helps

 

Similar to what I was told, by the ranger, at the gate where you pay. No logging on the weekend - you can ride where you like.

[droenn]

Yep, can ride wherever on the weekend. 

 

Climbed up past canaries to do the 2 sections above never ending story (part with the "compulsory portage"). Gave a really nice view of the new trails, can't wait to ride them.

 

Seems most people there are just riding the jeep track anyway, so doubt there will be any problems...

[Bosbrommer]

Soooo is good old Jonkers ready for some action tomorrow? Any word on the new trails? Planning a looooong ride in Stellenbosch tomorrow morning.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Soooo is good old Jonkers ready for some action tomorrow? Any word on the new trails? Planning a looooong ride in Stellenbosch tomorrow morning.

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/153242-mto-trails-jonkershoek-an-update-on-jonkershoek/page-8?do=findComment&comment=2753986

[JasonS]

And so? What's the verdict? Is it as good as it looks?