MTB thugs spoil a morning ride at Hoogekraal

[raptor-22]

Uh, 'scuse me for stating the obvious, but why would you pay R600 or thereabouts to ride the trails maybe 5 times a year? That is just plain expensive, in anyone's language.

 

 

Don't be like a present bru....

 

his membership choice has nothing to do wiff you. Say thank you for his membership, smile and wave.

[Spank]

This thread has created so much negativity towards the Tygerberg MTB club, which as many confirmed, has about 5 000 members.  

 

The incident included not 5 000 members on the weekend, but one or two individuals, who are members of the Tygerberg club, by virtue of their annual paid membership fee. 

 

As there is no way (from the information above) that the individuals of the weekend can be identified, can we not perhaps rather close this chapter ? There has been numerous members of the club, and representatives of the volunteer marshal group, that apologized to the author of this thread, and tried to the best of their abilities to clear the air. Members of the club (according to information I received) made contact with the unhappy visitor, which is further testament to what the club members and leadership in general stand for.

 

The Tygerberg club is involved with so many good causes and are known in the community for reaching out and assisting in so many ways (community upliftment projects, cancer awareness projects for various needy causes, fund raising efforts, assistance with fire fighting organisations- to name only a few). Many of these never get spoken about, not even to mention, getting spoken about on The Hub.

 

However, when isolated incidents happen, like in this case, it is a free for all, with most choosing to climb in without any gloves on. 

 

It is a pity that the club's name has been dragged through the mud like this - a shame actually. 

 

I say again, the incident was wrong, and most agree that the member of the club, did not speak / handle himself correctly - but why bring the matter to the slaughter house (#thehub) ? - here, it will, due to its nature, almost inevitably only go downhill (...and not the downhill we mountainbikers love, but rather down the path where people (many with absolutely no other intention but to badmouth and try and spread animosity in the thread) want throw fuel on a small fire.

 

If the visitor contacted the club (after the incident) via one of their contact email addresses or helpline numbers, they could have taken the matter up personally with one of the committee members, or even got in touch with the chairperson. This would surely have made more sense to me, instead of what took place here on the hub over the last day.......as said above, a great pity and equally great shame. 

 

I know it was mentioned that debate is good, but everyone knows, that the Hub is hardly the place for debate, it is just a cage fight arena.

This is typical, Hub,there have been requests to lock this topic, yet, mods will let this carry on and on for the sake of entertainment, and unfortunately the club will walk away with the bad name. Shocking.

[DJR]

This is typical, Hub,there have been requests to lock this topic, yet, mods will let this carry on and on for the sake of entertainment, and unfortunately the club will walk away with the bad name. Shocking.

Dale, I think those who answered on behalf of the Tygerberg Club, have done so in excellent fashion. I admire them for how they dealt with it in a very honest, straight forward way without getting all reactionary. Those who seek to tar the whole club with the same brush can safely be ignored. The OP has also been very grown up in all his posts. But perhaps you are right, what had to be said, has already been said.

[Guest notmyname]

This thread has created so much negativity towards the Tygerberg MTB club, which as many confirmed, has about 5 000 members.

 

The incident included not 5 000 members on the weekend, but one or two individuals, who are members of the Tygerberg club, by virtue of their annual paid membership fee.

 

As there is no way (from the information above) that the individuals of the weekend can be identified, can we not perhaps rather close this chapter ? There has been numerous members of the club, and representatives of the volunteer marshal group, that apologized to the author of this thread, and tried to the best of their abilities to clear the air. Members of the club (according to information I received) made contact with the unhappy visitor, which is further testament to what the club members and leadership in general stand for.

 

The Tygerberg club is involved with so many good causes and are known in the community for reaching out and assisting in so many ways (community upliftment projects, cancer awareness projects for various needy causes, fund raising efforts, assistance with fire fighting organisations- to name only a few). Many of these never get spoken about, not even to mention, getting spoken about on The Hub.

 

However, when isolated incidents happen, like in this case, it is a free for all, with most choosing to climb in without any gloves on.

 

It is a pity that the club's name has been dragged through the mud like this - a shame actually.

 

I say again, the incident was wrong, and most agree that the member of the club, did not speak / handle himself correctly - but why bring the matter to the slaughter house (#thehub) ? - here, it will, due to its nature, almost inevitably only go downhill (...and not the downhill we mountainbikers love, but rather down the path where people (many with absolutely no other intention but to badmouth and try and spread animosity in the thread) want throw fuel on a small fire.

 

If the visitor contacted the club (after the incident) via one of their contact email addresses or helpline numbers, they could have taken the matter up personally with one of the committee members, or even got in touch with the chairperson. This would surely have made more sense to me, instead of what took place here on the hub over the last day.......as said above, a great pity and equally great shame.

 

I know it was mentioned that debate is good, but everyone knows, that the Hub is hardly the place for debate, it is just a cage fight arena.

Sadly, each member carries the burden of the club's reputation. Same as that group of laaities that got bust smoking behind the corner cafe' in uniform. They bring the schools solid name into disrepute.

 

It would be a good idea to send a strongly worded email to the members of said club.

The members need to realise the burden of displaying the board bearing the club's insignia and what it stands for.

[GLuvsMtb]

This is typical, Hub,there have been requests to lock this topic, yet, mods will let this carry on and on for the sake of entertainment, and unfortunately the club will walk away with the bad name. Shocking.

The topic is still being discussed and has remained on topic (uncanny, Isn't it!?). The handbags have stayed holstered for most prt too. The Club have not commented formally (a few members shared their perspective and personal view) and the said trail prefects have not provided their perspective yet (chances are slim that they are on bikehub, and even if they were they will probably refrain from commenting out of fear for being bullied themselves).

 

So are topics now to be closed because a few members wish it so?

[RocknRolla]

Tar and feather.

 

Unfortunately a burden of any "brand ambassadors". Another prime example is think bike stickers and motorbikes, a sticker, or a membership board does not ensure proper behavior. People also dont remember the normality of all the 4496 members of the mtb club, only the 4 that acted badly on behalf of.

 

As for closing the topic, I called for topic closure purely because the OP asked questions, which in the end got answered, as per normal mod practice, the topic then should be closed.

 

Perhaps because the handbags was firmly holstered, the report button was not used on this thread, thus no mod intervention?

[Guest notmyname]

Tar and feather.

 

Unfortunately a burden of any "brand ambassadors". Another prime example is think bike stickers and motorbikes, a sticker, or a membership board does not ensure proper behavior. People also dont remember the normality of all the 4496 members of the mtb club, only the 4 that acted badly on behalf of.

 

As for closing the topic, I called for topic closure purely because the OP asked questions, which in the end got answered, as per normal mod practice, the topic then should be closed.

 

Perhaps because the handbags was firmly holstered, the report button was not used on this thread, thus no mod intervention?

Shhhhh, don't wake them. They're on holiday.

[JohanC]

I feel your pain, I had some **** on a Sparkly Specialized interrogating me just as I wanted to start my ride. He was a marshal it turned out and I "was" up till then a paid up member with a Tygerberg number broad BUT I have a few boards on the front of my bike and the Tygerberg Mtb club one is unfortunately at the bottom because I ride there maybe 5 times per year. The **** took my number and I got a warning from the club via email... so now they can stick there club up there a$$es. 

 

Uhmmm...... aren't you riding a Spez yourself?    And why is the sparkly bike brand (S) of any interest?! The irony..

[Guest notmyname]

Uhmmm...... aren't you riding a Spez yourself? And why is the sparkly bike brand (S) of any interest?! The irony..

It's all part of the marketing plan of (S)SAID cycle supplier.

[(Deon)]

This thread has created so much negativity towards the Tygerberg MTB club, which as many confirmed, has about 5 000 members.  

 

The incident included not 5 000 members on the weekend, but one or two individuals, who are members of the Tygerberg club, by virtue of their annual paid membership fee. 

 

As there is no way (from the information above) that the individuals of the weekend can be identified, can we not perhaps rather close this chapter ? There has been numerous members of the club, and representatives of the volunteer marshal group, that apologized to the author of this thread, and tried to the best of their abilities to clear the air. Members of the club (according to information I received) made contact with the unhappy visitor, which is further testament to what the club members and leadership in general stand for.

 

The Tygerberg club is involved with so many good causes and are known in the community for reaching out and assisting in so many ways (community upliftment projects, cancer awareness projects for various needy causes, fund raising efforts, assistance with fire fighting organisations- to name only a few). Many of these never get spoken about, not even to mention, getting spoken about on The Hub.

 

However, when isolated incidents happen, like in this case, it is a free for all, with most choosing to climb in without any gloves on. 

 

It is a pity that the club's name has been dragged through the mud like this - a shame actually. 

 

I say again, the incident was wrong, and most agree that the member of the club, did not speak / handle himself correctly - but why bring the matter to the slaughter house (#thehub) ? - here, it will, due to its nature, almost inevitably only go downhill (...and not the downhill we mountainbikers love, but rather down the path where people (many with absolutely no other intention but to badmouth and try and spread animosity in the thread) want throw fuel on a small fire.

 

If the visitor contacted the club (after the incident) via one of their contact email addresses or helpline numbers, they could have taken the matter up personally with one of the committee members, or even got in touch with the chairperson. This would surely have made more sense to me, instead of what took place here on the hub over the last day.......as said above, a great pity and equally great shame. 

 

I know it was mentioned that debate is good, but everyone knows, that the Hub is hardly the place for debate, it is just a cage fight arena.

I would actually disagree. I think the debate, while not everyone's cup of tea, brought out some really good suggestions to issues that almost every trail suffers.. it has also highlighted a few failings in terms of continuity between trails and how they charge for daily permits. This is constructive debate, hardly anything to feel ashamed about.

 

It was quite clear from the start where the issue lay - in several member's behaviour towards other patrons caused by the problem of rogue riding - and I think the majority of the posts kept to that theme. If you stop and think about it for a moment you may find that not only did this thread serve to highlight rude behaviour on the trails, but the majority of comments actually side with your, and other trail's problem of rogue riding. 

 

You'll notice also that it was not a witch hunt. Names were not called for and for this reason your suggestion of closing the thread because the people cannot be identified seems to defeat the purpose the OP came forward with his bad experience. Would the club even had known what happened that day? I don't think it would.

 

"Dragging the club's name through the mud" might be a bit melodramatic. Discussing the issue is just that, an open discussion about something that affects us all.

 

Then, kudos to the members/marshalls etc for their apologies, you'll see it was well received, someone even had their faith in humanity restored. And to the club for handling the issue directly, that's above the call of duty but it would have been nice to know this at some point in the day before being made to feel guilty in participating in a discussion that at times can affect me. Nobody wants to be spoken to like that and the method of bringing it to light is a decision that none but the OP has control over. We could all wish for a different ending but this is the way it is. It's how you or the club in this case responds that makes the difference. We've not heard from them yet.

 

Now, as a final parting shot, maybe you also want to think about how you've just dragged the Bikehub's name through the mud by calling it a cage fight arena and a slaughter house, yet condone the help it serves when looking to ID the very issue at hand, rogue riders. Well done.

[(Deon)]

Shhhhh, don't wake them. They're on holiday.

You clearly missed the intervention. I think admin spent the day trying to differentiate between can's and cant's. Luckily the weather was carp so it was not at the poolside or we may well have seen some red text for linguistically pushing his boundary buttons.

[Thor Buttox]

I would actually disagree. I think the debate, while not everyone's cup of tea, brought out some really good suggestions to issues that almost every trail suffers.. it has also highlighted a few failings in terms of continuity between trails and how they charge for daily permits. This is constructive debate, hardly anything to feel ashamed about.

 

It was quite clear from the start where the issue lay - in several member's behaviour towards other patrons caused by the problem of rogue riding - and I think the majority of the posts kept to that theme. If you stop and think about it for a moment you may find that not only did this thread serve to highlight rude behaviour on the trails, but the majority of comments actually side with your, and other trail's problem of rogue riding.

 

You'll notice also that it was not a witch hunt. Names were not called for and for this reason your suggestion of closing the thread because the people cannot be identified seems to defeat the purpose the OP came forward with his bad experience. Would the club even had known what happened that day? I don't think it would.

 

"Dragging the club's name through the mud" might be a bit melodramatic. Discussing the issue is just that, an open discussion about something that affects us all.

 

Then, kudos to the members/marshalls etc for their apologies, you'll see it was well received, someone even had their faith in humanity restored. And to the club for handling the issue directly, that's above the call of duty but it would have been nice to know this at some point in the day before being made to feel guilty in participating in a discussion that at times can affect me. Nobody wants to be spoken to like that and the method of bringing it to light is a decision that none but the OP has control over. We could all wish for a different ending but this is the way it is. It's how you or the club in this case responds that makes the difference. We've not heard from them yet.

 

Now, as a final parting shot, maybe you also want to think about how you've just dragged the Bikehub's name through the mud by calling it a cage fight arena and a slaughter house, yet condone the help it serves when looking to ID the very issue at hand, rogue riders. Well done.

As a TBMB member, I agree, I also don't think the Club was degraded.

 

I took 3 things:

A) Some members are misguided and obnoxious

B) most members aren't

C) some form of receipting system is imperative in any transaction where cash is involved,not just at Hoogekraal, cos a small minority of the real dwises will game the system

[Boerklong]

Thats so sad. People spend a fortune on their equipment then try and score a couple of bucks for a free ride.

They like to talk the talk, but cant walk the walk.

Promise you they look *** in lycra, but give the odd wink to the ladies when they walk past showing off his camel toe

[KingTJ]

I can't for the life of me think why a person would want to lift his bike over a fence and ride where he is not allowed.

I see people ride on our farm as if they get paid to do it.

When I stop and ask them where they are going they say they are just out for a ride. Boggles my mind the mentality some people have

I can, there is this mountain behind my house that has a single track running down it, it belongs to the cities nature reserve. I watched it for months....and never saw anybody use it, then the one day i decided screw this im going to ride it....had to lift my bike over the dilapidated fence to get to it and again to get out of it....was well worth it.....again i find myself watching that trail 2 years later, and still nobody has used it.....and im thinking, maybe i must try that trail again....

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I would actually disagree. I think the debate, while not everyone's cup of tea, brought out some really good suggestions to issues that almost every trail suffers.. it has also highlighted a few failings in terms of continuity between trails and how they charge for daily permits. This is constructive debate, hardly anything to feel ashamed about.

 

 

 

Now, as a final parting shot, maybe you also want to think about how you've just dragged the Bikehub's name through the mud by calling it a cage fight arena and a slaughter house, yet condone the help it serves when looking to ID the very issue at hand, rogue riders. Well done.

This. 

 

The debate has been hardy and centred around legitimate concerns. Rogue Riding, and the necessity of a properly constructed day permit & membership system. 

 

The name of the club (IMO) has never been called into disrepute, except by one poster, who inadvertently himself had his post moderated through the use of a word that "rhymes with punt" - on a matter that he was clearly in the wrong on.

 

The OP himself actually intimated that he would be getting a permit, based on the website info and the responses he got from other club members. I'd call that a success. 

 

Rogue riding is a scourge that affects all of us, and it is therefore understandable that the topic receives so much attention. It affects our access to trail, which we crave. If someone places that at risk, they are often on the receiving end of an immense amount of passion, due to the potential effect of their actions. 

 

However - one should always strive to remain calm and respectful - and remember that at all times, we are the face of the club. As such, how we behave is how the club is portrayed as. 

 

Max - I'm glad you've seen the positive side of this, and realised that not all of us are raging knob-ends, and look forward to seeing you on the trail as a fully fledged member. I also trust that if you bring anyone as a guest, you'll now know where the honesty box is

[Boerklong]

I can, there is this mountain behind my house that has a single track running down it, it belongs to the cities nature reserve. I watched it for months....and never saw anybody use it, then the one day i decided screw this im going to ride it....had to lift my bike over the dilapidated fence to get to it and again to get out of it....was well worth it.....again i find myself watching that trail 2 years later, and still nobody has used it.....and im thinking, maybe i must try that trail again....

Maybe I must join you, seeing that going on your own is a safety hazard and all.