Tokai 2016 reopening

[(Deon)]

Exactly... I miss my pre and post work spins.

 

My bike fitness and my skills have deteriorated as much as my motivation to ride in the last 2 years. I will cry tears of such glee if the place ever reopens as it was

I discussed this a few days ago with a dept head and we do certainly have their support for some of the ideas as a work-around to that locked gate.

 

So in short, sunrise to sunset may be possible again but it's going to take some more creative thinking to keep crime out.

[marko35s]

I only used to do post work, dearly miss it. 

Yeah I miss the afternoon sessions when I used to grab the youngster from school and force him to bond with me while riding Tokai many times a week.

Little bugger has gone and gained other interests since the fire and much as they are healthy pursuits (Scouts, Hockey, other school sports etc) I feel he needs to learn his place again. That place is normally at the bottom of a trail wondering why I am so slow or whether I have fallen off again.

[Jewbacca]

I discussed this a few days ago with a dept head and we do certainly have their support for some of the ideas as a work-around to that locked gate.

 

So in short, sunrise to sunset may be possible again but it's going to take some more creative thinking to keep crime out.

Sjoe... It would change lives.

 

I also saw a heap of trail runners running up and down the MTB trails on Wednesday. If we can't ride the hiking trails, are they allowed to run the MTB trails? If they have earphones in it gets quite dangerous.

[Eddy Gordo]

They are not allowed on the MTB trails as far as I know.

[(Deon)]

Sjoe... It would change lives.

 

I also saw a heap of trail runners running up and down the MTB trails on Wednesday. If we can't ride the hiking trails, are they allowed to run the MTB trails? If they have earphones in it gets quite dangerous.

..they were gently helped out, as were the hikers in the gum trees.

[mrcg]

Happy to share trails. Obviously with speed difference it can be an issue.

Runners should not wear earphones...so a quick whistle will let them know they need to jump. Fast

[(Deon)]

Happy to share trails. Obviously with speed difference it can be an issue.

Runners should not wear earphones...so a quick whistle will let them know they need to jump. Fast

Tried but didn't work and based on the conflict that ensued, despite the agreement, will never work. As a result we made signs that reads "Mountain bike only".

 

You can refer to these on the trail if you ever need...

[lechatnoir]

Happy to share trails. Obviously with speed difference it can be an issue.

Runners should not wear earphones...so a quick whistle will let them know they need to jump. Fast

 

Yip, that's so much better than a chainring to the back of the neck.... 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Tried but didn't work and based on the conflict that ensued, despite the agreement, will never work. As a result we made signs that reads "Mountain bike only".

 

You can refer to these on the trail if you ever need...

yeah, unfortunately the trail running "leader" tends to be a bit.... confrontational. It's what got him and the trail running community kicked out in the first place. 

[Eddy Gordo]

and yet he persists, even when it was closed

[Jewbacca]

and yet he persists, even when it was closed

Ja... But don't you know who he is? He is kind of a BIG deal..... 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Ja... But don't you know who he is? He is kind of a BIG deal..... 

[Headshot]

Agreed on the access from sunrise to sunset 7 days a week. It worked before but times and crime have changed a bit.  

 

Can we go back to that scenario ?

 

Do we need to maintain security during the week and keep crime out of the area as has virtually been the case since we started riding there again (thanks to the presence of marshals no doubt)? 

 

Its the lack the lack of this access that continues to fuel resentment regarding Tokai despite TokaiMTB's best efforts, and it can't be ignored.

 

You can access nearly everywhere else on the mountain after hours if you so wish. Once the gums and arboretum are sorted out, TMNP's argument re keeping the place locked down wears very thin...

[Jewbacca]

Agreed on the access from sunrise to sunset 7 days a week. It worked before but times and crime have changed a bit.  

 

Can we go back to that scenario ?

 

Do we need to maintain security during the week and keep crime out of the area as has virtually been the case since we started riding there again (thanks to the presence of marshals no doubt)? 

 

Its the lack the lack of this access that continues to fuel resentment regarding Tokai despite TokaiMTB's best efforts, and it can't be ignored.

 

You can access nearly everywhere else on the mountain after hours if you so wish. Once the gums and arboretum are sorted out, TMNP's argument re keeping the place locked down wears very thin...

I agree that times have changed somewhat. I used to ride there and on Table Mountain alone all the time. These days I wouldn't be so keen.

 

I do think that it comes down to due diligence. It is our responsibility as trail users to report suspicious activity and also not to place ourselves in unnecessary risk situations. 

 

I am not so keen on the point being an 'argument' with TMNP as that seems a step backwards in what is currently a better situation than we used to have. Butting heads with an institution like TMNP vs stoking the fires of mutual benefit, no matter how slow or small the gains are, is a far better way of achieving the end goal.

 

Last thing we want is for them to lose patience with us and just shut us out. They hold all the cards unfortunately, so pointing out the flaws in their logic would be akin to pointing out to your wife how unreasonable she's being........

[(Deon)]

Agreed on the access from sunrise to sunset 7 days a week. It worked before but times and crime have changed a bit.  

 

Can we go back to that scenario ?

 

Do we need to maintain security during the week and keep crime out of the area as has virtually been the case since we started riding there again (thanks to the presence of marshals no doubt)? 

 

Its the lack the lack of this access that continues to fuel resentment regarding Tokai despite TokaiMTB's best efforts, and it can't be ignored.

 

You can access nearly everywhere else on the mountain after hours if you so wish. Once the gums and arboretum are sorted out, TMNP's argument re keeping the place locked down wears very thin...

Have a read.. 

 

https://www.iol.co.za/constantiaberg-bulletin/news/getting-tokai-park-ready-for-reopening-10503736

 

"The upper slopes of Tokai Park could be open by the end of the year, while the Tokai Arboretum will remain off limits until contractors can clear unsafe trees.

 

Jannie du Plessis, the recently appointed manager of the central section of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) said the arboretum was subject to an 'ongoing process and it currently has no timeline'.

 

However, the rest of upper Tokai 'should be opened by the end of this year for hikers, granted all the safety requirements have been met'."

[Headshot]

Have a read.. 

 

https://www.iol.co.za/constantiaberg-bulletin/news/getting-tokai-park-ready-for-reopening-10503736

 

"The upper slopes of Tokai Park could be open by the end of the year, while the Tokai Arboretum will remain off limits until contractors can clear unsafe trees.

 

Jannie du Plessis, the recently appointed manager of the central section of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) said the arboretum was subject to an 'ongoing process and it currently has no timeline'.

 

However, the rest of upper Tokai 'should be opened by the end of this year for hikers, granted all the safety requirements have been met'."

Its good to see that they are feeling the heat from all quarters.  I am glad that they will reopen Listers too. It's starting to sound a lot more positive, if very slow.