Illegal riding and shuttling - Howick MTB Trails

[Super_mil]

My Girlfriends folks live in Howick and we did the Supa20 at Karkloof in December, it was awesome you guys are blessed.....only thing is we cycled on the tar rode to Karkloof. With the info above we will definitely buy the permits and get to Karkloof via trails.....thanks

If you head down to visit fairly regularly and/or ride the trails more than say 10 times a year it may be more economical just to become a member of the Howick, Karkloof or Big Wheel (Lion's River) MTB clubs. As a member of any of these clubs you can access the Howick, Karkloof and Lion's River trail networks.

[Guest]

My Girlfriends folks live in Howick and we did the Supa20 at Karkloof in December, it was awesome you guys are blessed.....only thing is we cycled on the tar rode to Karkloof. With the info above we will definitely buy the permits and get to Karkloof via trails.....thanks

You can get from Howick to karkloof without touching a road. Single track all the way through.it's an awesome ride.

[blondeonabike]

If you head down to visit fairly regularly and/or ride the trails more than say 10 times a year it may be more economical just to become a member of the Howick, Karkloof or Big Wheel (Lion's River) MTB clubs. As a member of any of these clubs you can access the Howick, Karkloof and Lion's River trail networks.

This is really clever too because as a member you can ride across trail networks.

We often ride from Howick through Howick trails into karkloof, coffee by the club and then ride back.  Lekker 50km. 

[NelAndre]

Thanks for all the info guys, cannot wait to go visit again. Easter sounds good......

[daan]

It make me so angry to read stuff like this, a few idiots will spoil it for everyone, selfish selfish bastards

[Fr33rider]

I can't believe these guys, may the fleas of a thousand camels infest the hair on their legs.

[Pipsqueak]

If you head down to visit fairly regularly and/or ride the trails more than say 10 times a year it may be more economical just to become a member of the Howick, Karkloof or Big Wheel (Lion's River) MTB clubs. As a member of any of these clubs you can access the Howick, Karkloof and Lion's River trail networks.

Are these bona fide clubs, i.e. can one join and race instead of joining Club Roag?

[Griffin]

Are these bona fide clubs, i.e. can one join and race instead of joining Club Roag?

 

Howick MTB Club is definitely registered with CSA as a official club...as is Karkloof MTB Club and I am pretty sure Big Wheel MTB Club is too. 

 

Just for info : 

 

Howick MTB Club (www.howickmountainbiking.co.za) : Howick Trail Network covers the area from Howick town itself to the Shafton Rd

 

Karkloof MTB Club (www.karkloofmtbtrails.co.za) : Karkloof Trail Network covers from Shafton Rd into Karkloof 

 

Big Wheel MTB Club (http://www.stives.co.za/st-ives-mountain-bike-park/) : Big Wheel covers most of the Lions River area

 

All 3 clubs offer annual members the benefit of riding each others areas under 1 club membership (meaning if you belong to any of those clubs you get to ride all the areas under that membership... no day licence required)

 

Both Howick MTB Club and Karkloof MTB Club memberships are done online through ROAG (www.roag.co.za)

[Super_mil]

Are these bona fide clubs, i.e. can one join and race instead of joining Club Roag?

Yebo. Bona fide clubs. 

I got an international CSA racing licence last year and Karkloof is my local club.

[Warthog]

Maybe this should be starting to happen here...

 

http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-trails/45-mountain-bikers-bikes-confiscated-for-riding-unauthorized-trail/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=16_01_21

[NicoBoshoff]

Howick MTB Club has great trails just outside of Howick and we have a great relationship with Sappi, through who's property the trails run. Its a trail network, not a bike park, and due to the nature of the trails, the area and the use of the land we cannot fence off the areas.

 

There are plenty large signboards at trail access points that make it VERY clear on how to get a day pass and give details as to how to ride the trails legally. 

 

However, we are getting more and more report of riders either illegally riding or, even worse, driving onto Sappi property and shuttling back and forth. 

 

It seems like there are some riders out there who just don't care or think that they are so special that the rules do not apply to them. 

 

Today was another instance of people driving/shuttling onto Sappi land illegally. If this continues it is a matter of time before Sappi bans ALL access to their land and that will be the end of Howick trails. Stupid actions by some irresponsible individuals will have an effect on everyone! (including the locals who we employ to maintain the trails!).

 

You might get away with it once..maybe even twice... but you will be caught if breaking the rules. Unfortunately by the time we catch you the damage is already done and no amount of apologizing (or lame I didn't know excuses) will bring back what you have taken away.

 

If you are planning on riding in the Howick area, please think further than yourself and saving a couple of Rands. Get a day licence, dont drive where you are not permitted and do not shuttle!

 

Those riders who are riding legally and have respect for the hard work that it takes to keep this area available for riding..thank you!  You are our eyes and if you see anything like this taking place please report it to us at trail@howickmountainbiking.co.za or message me here. 

 

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Surely these guys are on the Hub.  Would be refreshing if they show some character and post an admission and apology.

 

Then again, hell will probably freeze over before that happens, but let me stop before I start offending someone.