Howick MTB Club - Trails, Routes and local riders

[Griffin]

Some interesting stats that came about whilst I been updating http://www.trailforks.com/region/howick-trails-15134/trails/

 

- 29 DH/AM bike trails

- 92 XC bike trails

- 10 Black Diamond trails

- 76 Singletrack trails

- 20 access road sections

[Guest]

Some interesting stats that came about whilst I been updating http://www.trailforks.com/region/howick-trails-15134/trails/

 

- 29 DH/AM bike trails

- 92 XC bike trails

- 10 Black Diamond trails

- 76 Singletrack trails

- 20 access road sections

I see Puff Adder only got a blue rating. I must be getting soft

[Griffin]

I see Puff Adder only got a blue rating. I must be getting soft

 

 

LOL... well its not black diamond... and there is no rating between blue and black diamond...

 

Maybe we should make a special purple grading.. like the colour of the bruises that Puff Adder can create  

[NelAndre]

I second that Purple Grading....I stumbled upon Puff adder Pass end 2015 cycling from Karkloof (did not know any of the trails then) and it bit me! Ridden it once or twice since then and yip....maybe I am just soft but I find that trail hard work!

 

 

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[Griffin]

I second that Purple Grading....I stumbled upon Puff adder Pass end 2015 cycling from Karkloof (did not know any of the trails then) and it bit me! Ridden it once or twice since then and yip....maybe I am just soft but I find that trail hard work!

 

 

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Purple Puff Adder Pass

 

It is proper hard work... especially cause there isn't actually much elevation/gradient along the trail so there is no where to get a break... its pedal pedal pedal (lack of big gradient is actually the only reason its not black diamond)

 

Not not only physical but mental too! Pick the wrong line and regardless of fitness you not going to make it without dabbing a foot down somewhere... or maybe take a bruise or 2 home as a memento

 

It was also planned to make a return to Howick Classic event next year after 2 years absence but latest forcasts are that the area is going to be harvested so that may have to change

 

PS : the route is scheduled to be cleared and sprayed this week so its should be prime for riding this weekend

Edited November 29, 2016 by Griffin

[JXV]

Purple Puff Adder Pass

 

It is proper hard work... especially cause there isn't actually much elevation/gradient along the trail so there is no where to get a break... its pedal pedal pedal (lack of big gradient is actually the only reason its not black diamond)

 

Not not only physical but mental too! Pick the wrong line and regardless of fitness you not going to make it without dabbing a foot down somewhere... or maybe take a bruise or 2 home as a memento

 

It was also planned to make a return to Howick Classic event next year after 2 years absence but latest forcasts are that the area is going to be harvested so that may have to change

 

PS : the route is scheduled to be cleared and sprayed this week so its should be prime for riding this weekend

Cool...it's needed a clean up for a while. lots of trees across the trail when I rode it a few months ago.

 

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[Griffin]

Cool...it's needed a clean up for a while. lots of trees across the trail when I rode it a few months ago.

 

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Yup... wind storm brought down trees and branches all over the place. Couple of days of rain have also delayed the clearing of that section... but hopefully we back on track now (excuse the pun!)

 

Trees/branches will be cleared, side trail overgrowth cut and spraying to control brambles/grass. Spraying is weather dependent though.. so if it rains we cant spray (or if the wind is hectic). If we cant spray then the clearing will be delayed again as economics dictate how many days we can allocate labour to that section

[Griffin]

slight delay ... but No Balls section cleared today as well as half of Puffadder Pass. 

 

weather dependant the 2nd half of Puffies will be cleared tomorrow (section heading towards Sheeps {P}ass). There is a section that needs to be brushcut and sprayed so thats why its weather dependant.

 

Plan is to then move up towards The Firetower (and cut/spray around the selfie frame) and then down Pines to also cut and spray

[Griffin]

Nice warm day today ... worked up a proper sweat !

 

Just a heads up.. Please remember that timber harvesting is still taking place in the Shafton Rd area. Signage has been erected to indicate what areas are closed.

[ichnusa]

Thanks for all the great work Griff!

Is Sid Vicious being felled?  If not, when will it be opened again?

[Griffin]

Thanks for all the great work Griff!

Is Sid Vicious being felled?  If not, when will it be opened again?

 

Hey Bud

 

No worries... being out there is better than sitting behind a desk anyday

 

Sid Vicious is on Karkloof side and forms part of Karkloof Trails so not sure what condition it is in.

 

The Shafton Rd borders Syd Vicious and they are short hauling along that road so I would err on the side of caution and say its still closed. Best to check with Karkloof to confirm though.

[Griffin]

Howick Trails update :

 

- No Balls clear

- Puffadder Pass clear

- Sheeps Pass clear

- Up at Last clear

- Working on clearing the beginning of The Face, around the selfie frame and then down Duza Ngulubhe today

 

Clearing along Pines scheduled for Monday

 

Please remember that area around Shafton Rd is closed (see the signage on the trails)

[Super_mil]

Thanks for all the great work Griff!

Is Sid Vicious being felled?  If not, when will it be opened again?

 

From the current felling plan, Sid Vicious will only have a small portion of the trail affected by the current felling operations. That said, the felling plans are beyond the clubs control and can and do change at short notice. For now all the trails in the area (Bruisers Burn, Firehawk, Carnival, etc.) are currently closed due to the extensive felling that is currently on going in the area.

We don't have a fixed date as to when the area will be opened again, but the trails will need a some work prior to them being opened. I sadly don't think it will be this year.

 

I'm sure the club will communicate via the various social media platforms as soon as the trails in the affected area(s) are reopened.

[ichnusa]

Thanks for the great work and communication guys....

[Guest]

Griffin. A tree has fallen down over the path just before face extension. Not too serious as riders can duck under.maybe if you in the area take a chainsaw with.

[Griffin]

Griffin. A tree has fallen down over the path just before face extension. Not too serious as riders can duck under.maybe if you in the area take a chainsaw with.

 

Thanks bud.