BarHugger Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Dear Concerned Rider Your sponsorship is not in the mail as the board of trustees failed to see the ability to be able to read on your CV.........According to the lizard on rock 6 turn 5 on the purple trail, his comment was that he found your lack of skill disturbing.....Your R 7.50 toll fee can not be refunded....the roads agency will be using it for the upkeep of the roads......Punctures are not a new concept to us....we are terribly sorry that you had to suffer the same fate as many other MTB riders out there.....Please be back..... The Hakahana Team
rouxtjie Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Well, if you're paying an entrance fee to a bike park shouldn't you expect the routes to be clearly marked? And barbed wire across trails is a big no-no, whether you run tubeless or not. If your bike picks it up and it gets entangled in your drivetrain you're going to eat dirt. Anyways, I've never been to hakahana or any of the other jozi bike parks. Will make a plan next time I go visit the family though! See if your trails come close to the ones in KZN.. uhm....they are. If you can't follow them it doesnt mean they are not there, which is probably the very same reason he came across barbed wire. Haka is very well marked, much more so than van gaalens which is just around the corner. I like and ride both places.
DIPSLICK Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 uhm....they are. If you can't follow them it doesnt mean they are not there, which is probably the very same reason he came across barbed wire. Haka is very well marked, much more so than van gaalens which is just around the corner. I like and ride both places.I still think I am one of the biggest "land owners at VG" even though I havent been there in a year,, still rate it as one of the best rides for vaalies
rouxtjie Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 I still think I am one of the biggest "land owners at VG" even though I havent been there in a year,, still rate it as one of the best rides for vaalieshahahhaa Dips....mooi stukkie erf wat jy daar het... Look VG's isn't well marked I will concede and its not because of a lack of trying. Haka IS marked so not fair of the OP to say that. There are dedicated markers + arrows for ALL the trails on poles that costs Johan thousands no doubt. Simliar to NF markers.
Neverfit Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 I had the (mis)fortune of going to Haka for the 1st time with VERY fit and experienced XC rider. Yes I had to take my bike-for-a-hike up a few hills, yes it is not Rosemary hills climbs or rocks. But was it fun? HELL YES! Sure I am nowhere near fit enough, my skills suck and my bike is not exactly build for those trails seeing that i run a entry levelish hard tail. But boy it was fun - after the climbs, the paths grace you with a decent you will never forget.Hit a rock garden, choose a line and making it stick through there is like winning the lotto. Not easily achieved but worth it when you do.Yes there are barbed wire, yes there are trees and yes there are some very big/loose/sharp/heavy/angry/spiteful rocks....thats why you bought a mtb in the 1st place. I will definitely up my game and be back to give it another go,...again and again!
rouxtjie Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 I had the (mis)fortune of going to Haka for the 1st time with VERY fit and experienced XC rider. Yes I had to take my bike-for-a-hike up a few hills, yes it is not Rosemary hills climbs or rocks. But was it fun? HELL YES! Sure I am nowhere near fit enough, my skills suck and my bike is not exactly build for those trails seeing that i run a entry levelish hard tail. But boy it was fun - after the climbs, the paths grace you with a decent you will never forget.Hit a rock garden, choose a line and making it stick through there is like winning the lotto. Not easily achieved but worth it when you do.Yes there are barbed wire, yes there are trees and yes there are some very big/loose/sharp/heavy/angry/spiteful rocks....thats why you bought a mtb in the 1st place. I will definitely up my game and be back to give it another go,...again and again!mtb'ing...you doing it right. I have been there with all sorts of bikes...everytime its an absolute gas...from a rigid SS to a hardtail to a 100mm marathon bike right up to 140mm+ trail monster. You have to adjust your riding style depending on your weapon of choice but its still a great place.
nonky Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 To be fair, Hakahana is ROF is places...you can see guys pushing DOWNHILL..The OP's comments aren't entirely invalid - Hakahana isn't exactly groomed like some of the other bike parks / stage races and a first visit can be a little daunting / confusing / infuriating..But as other posters said, the beauty of the place is exactly that it is rural, challenging, unkept, natural, scary at times, wild and outside your comfort zone.
rouxtjie Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 To be fair, Hakahana is ROF is places...you can see guys pushing DOWNHILL..The OP's comments aren't entirely invalid - Hakahana isn't exactly groomed like some of the other bike parks / stage races and a first visit can be a little daunting / confusing / infuriating..But as other posters said, the beauty of the place is exactly that it is rural, challenging, unkept, natural, scary at times, wild and outside your comfort zone.whahaaaa you either pushing up or pushing down...especially that last bit to get to SP1. LosHomSoosHyIs
hayleyearth Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Or maybe get a road bike :-) Hey ...watch it I have a road bike....and LOVE Hakahana too
Heinrich Hattingh Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Hi there Kevlouw. Sorry to hear about your bad experience at Hakahana. As some of the guys have commented, the trails are very rocky and tough, and I would also suggest going with a couple of people that know the trails well to show you around. Also, the trails have had some bad rain damage in some parts and I'm sure it's on the cards to get sorted out where it's needed, however I can also let you know that all the trails don't build themselves, and trail fairies don't exist either. They are built by Johan and his team of volunteers, and building trails in gauteng with all the rocks, limited soil, and difficult/no access for vehicles, makes this an almost impossible job. Not even mentioning that for the most part, it's a labour of love. So as always, we need to show some respect, and gratitude for the work that goes into all of this. Johan and his Team are some of the nicest trail advocates in Gauteng, so I would urge you to give Hakahana another chance, you won't regret it. Feel free to give me a shout if you ever want to go again.
Heinrich Hattingh Posted February 22, 2016 Posted February 22, 2016 Here's some footage of fun being had this month. http://www.instagram.com/p/BBIfDzwsp49/
Squier Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 mtb'ing...you doing it right. I have been there with all sorts of bikes...everytime its an absolute gas...from a rigid SS to a hardtail to a 100mm marathon bike right up to 140mm+ trail monster. You have to adjust your riding style depending on your weapon of choice but its still a great place. The last time I was at VG (a month or so back) it actually looked like they brought in some new signage. We did Greek Church, Nguni and Oom Piet and I was surprised at how well it was marked now. Much better than it used to be. Agreed. I've also never gotten lost at Hakahana. Rate it as being well marked.
rouxtjie Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 The last time I was at VG (a month or so back) it actually looked like they brought in some new signage. We did Greek Church, Nguni and Oom Piet and I was surprised at how well it was marked now. Much better than it used to be. Agreed. I've also never gotten lost at Hakahana. Rate it as being well marked.yea, Eric tries....but then a couple of months and they gone.....The only thing that stays is the white painted rocks...
Guest notmyname Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 yea, Eric tries....but then a couple of months and they gone.....The only thing that stays is the white painted rocks...Blimmin racists.
King Dean Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 Dear OP, What's wrong with this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtqRAfkfuHwAfter watching this, I NEED to go ride there ASAP!
Swift01 Posted February 23, 2016 Posted February 23, 2016 hahahhaa Dips....mooi stukkie erf wat jy daar het... Look VG's isn't well marked I will concede and its not because of a lack of trying. Haka IS marked so not fair of the OP to say that. There are dedicated markers + arrows for ALL the trails on poles that costs Johan thousands no doubt. Simliar to NF markers.Hey VG has got new signs for Church and Oom routes. One veld fire and we will be back to normal though ha ha
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