Hoogekraal Cobra - rant

[Jewbacca]

If you can't ride it, walk.

 

Everyone can walk a bit of trail and start again afterwards.

 

That is how I learned to ride. A, B and C lines? No... if it is graded black, ride it but either fall or walk or avoid it.

 

In a trail network I have ridden every single bit (even the "gap" jump after the "widowmaker" on a cx bike, dumbing down these trails is poison.

 

I refrained from my membership at Tygerberg trails this year because it is just boring yawn fest after berm after pretty awesome views (not a negative but I thought I would add it)....

 

Such potential but just ruined by those who don't want to up skill, just up mile.

 

Guys, being good at technical stuff is as important as being insanely fit. If you are both, you will have more energy in the last 30% of any race as you wouldn't be all papsnoeksandwich after being bounced around like a sack of mielies on a Lesotho Donkey for 60km.

 

Practice both, trail networks should encourage both and riders should be striving to be able to conquer all aspects of MTB, not just miles and watts and intervals.

 

Just my 2c

[T-Bob]

I only rode the Cobra for the first time about a month or so ago and was surprised to find it marked as a Black. For sure as a 1st blind run it was pretty frisky but that was just because I had no idea what it was round the corner but even so it was not a black by any standards. Once you've done it once then it's a great fun flowy trail where you can pretend you're killing it like in the videos. It'd be a shame if they neuter it further as that was really the only highlight of the whole Hoogies route (don't take that the wrong way TBMC do a great job getting us access and trails). Just wish it wasn't a xc slog and hill pedal just to get there.

[Patchelicious]

TBMTBC is obsessed with the numbers. It is their only yardstick of success is "how many members do we have?" The reality is that they will try to hit the "sweet spot" with the majority of their members, ie. Novices and weekend warriors. Now if any club official read this, its not meant to be scathing criticism, but rather my take on how they make decisions to feed the hungry beast that is the annual subs revenue stream.

You talking about the PPA?

[popcorn_skollie]

Once you've done it once then it's a great fun flowy trail where you can pretend you're killing it like in the videos.

 

Haha. That's true.

I like how some of the exposed faces make you feel like you're on some raw big mountain freeride stuff. 

 

It makes you feel good, look good, when the truth is its not that hectic at all.

And I was gonna save that story for my grand kids. They'll never believe it now.

 

Please, oh please Papa. Can you tell us about that time you rode the black line at Hoogies?

Okay you little rascals. But this is the last time okay. Pass my pipe and slippers.

It was a cold and misty spring morning. I had just finished climbing Spyker's Hill.

Then I saw the trail head. They called it...  'THE COBRA  '

 

[CharlieGaul]

The Tygerberg Club is great and do a good job maintaining the trails but they should seriously reconsider the "revamping" projects they do. So many examples of awesome trails that have been destroyed by adding massive BMX style berms and removing any rock bigger than a marble . Contermans blue down section for instance. Once a great trail that required careful line choice now its like a highway. Rock section on cheecky corners a distant memory and now the Cobra. Sure hitting a masive berm at full speed is fun but we need more variety. Lets hope Hillcrest is left alone. Members should be challanged and skill levels should be improved not lost.

[T-Bob]

Haha. That's true.

I like how some of the exposed faces make you feel like you're on some raw big mountain freeride stuff. 

 

It makes you feel good, look good, when the truth is its not that hectic at all.

And I was gonna save that story for my grand kids. They'll never believe it now.

 

Please, oh please Papa. Can you tell us about that time you rode the black line at Hoogies?

Okay you little rascals. But this is the last time okay. Pass my pipe and slippers.

It was a cold and misty spring morning. I had just finished climbing Spyker's Hill.

Then I saw the trail head. They called it...  'THE COBRA  '

 

 

That's gold! Pure gold.... 

[steveO:K]

The Tygerberg Club is great and do a good job maintaining the trails but they should seriously reconsider the "revamping" projects they do. So many examples of awesome trails that have been destroyed by adding massive BMX style berms and removing any rock bigger than a marble . Contermans blue down section for instance. Once a great trail that required careful line choice now its like a highway. Rock section on cheecky ecorners a distant memory and now the Cobra. Sure hitting a masive berm at full speed is fun but we need more variety. Lets hope Hillcrest is left alone. Members should be challanged and skill levels should be improved not lost.

No such luck. Hillcrest is also getting the "treatment".

 

Although i agree with the above, considering the number of users on the TBMTBC, trails must be built with longevity in mind. Put a stone on the trail and guys lock wheels and tear the trails apart.

 

Anyway, my wife started riding with me so anything slightly technical is out. She tried the revamped lombards and fell on her mouth breaking a tooth.... we will stick to conties and meerendull now.

 

I suppose A B and C lines are the answer. Also, for those who are complaining about cheeky corners, why not just ride down "die kloof".

[Jewbacca]

I'm sorry but on graded traild A B and C lines are not the answer.

 

Having guys with little to no skill and an opt out will just clog up trails which are purpose built for those who have put in the yards to ride them.

 

Sure, on an ungraded or lower grade trail (I hate the 'grade' system but in context...) have harder A lines, a B line in keeping with the trail level, but once you get to Black, either ride or or stay off it.

 

Imagine a bunch of grans calling for B and C lines down the Plumber... No. If you don't feel comfortable after trying a few times, turn around and walk up and ride the red.

 

Not everyone can ride everything. This obsession we have of trying to cater for everyone while still persisting with trail grading is ridiculous.

 

Black means you can handle a bike, have the balls to go and have up skilled through as much effort as it takes to get fit enough to stick with A batch.

 

Reward for hard work is essential and make no mistake. It IS hard work to get to a level where you can bomb the Plumber clean without soiling your pants.

[Thor Buttox]

I'm sorry but on graded traild A B and C lines are not the answer.

 

Having guys with little to no skill and an opt out will just clog up trails which are purpose built for those who have put in the yards to ride them.

 

Sure, on an ungraded or lower grade trail (I hate the 'grade' system but in context...) have harder A lines, a B line in keeping with the trail level, but once you get to Black, either ride or or stay off it.

 

Imagine a bunch of grans calling for B and C lines down the Plumber... No. If you don't feel comfortable after trying a few times, turn around and walk up and ride the red.

 

Not everyone can ride everything. This obsession we have of trying to cater for everyone while still persisting with trail grading is ridiculous.

 

Black means you can handle a bike, have the balls to go and have up skilled through as much effort as it takes to get fit enough to stick with A batch.

 

Reward for hard work is essential and make no mistake. It IS hard work to get to a level where you can bomb the Plumber clean without soiling your pants.

Actually, I don't disagree with you at all. I won't ride the Conties black route but I am glad it's there, cos watching someone who knows what they are doing is exhilarating. Like every single one of these threads it is just a matter of degree, and I would happily support putting in a Double Black Death Di Sole route at every trail just so I could watch okes. What I think is the issue is that on a circular route like TBMB have built you need a relatively safe first option for the masses, with clover leaf death defying options next door. Downhill and X-country are not the same sport and need to both be properly catered for.

 

Ps: is being charged by an angry zebra at Koeberg more or less dangerous than the Cobra? #Thorfacesdeath

[Thermophage]

Actually, I don't disagree with you at all. I won't ride the Conties black route but I am glad it's there, cos watching someone who knows what they are doing is exhilarating. Like every single one of these threads it is just a matter of degree, and I would happily support putting in a Double Black Death Di Sole route at every trail just so I could watch okes. What I think is the issue is that on a circular route like TBMB have built you need a relatively safe first option for the masses, with clover leaf death defying options next door. Downhill and X-country are not the same sport and need to both be properly catered for.

Ps: is being charged by an angry zebra at Koeberg more or less dangerous than the Cobra? #Thorfacesdeath

I'm reasonably certain the DH line AT Conties isn't up to international standards anyway.

Let's not pretend the trails at the club builds are even up to spec by cross country standards... They're simply not. Have yo ridden the Coetzenberg XC course in Stellenbosch...? It makes Lombards Terra look like drinking milk from the teat!

People need to realize that technical doesn't mean you can't do it. Being scared doesn't mean you should it.

None of us started riding MOUNTAIN bikes because it was as safe as playing chess..... Or as monotonous as watching paint dry.

 

Even a few trails that are actually up to internal XC standards would be a damn blessing.

[Thor Buttox]

I'm reasonably certain the DH line AT Conties isn't up to international standards anyway.

Let's not pretend the trails at the club builds are even up to spec by cross country standards... They're simply not. Have yo ridden the Coetzenberg XC course in Stellenbosch...? It makes Lombards Terra look like drinking milk from the teat!

People need to realize that technical doesn't mean you can't do it. Being scared doesn't mean you should it.

None of us started riding MOUNTAIN bikes because it was as safe as playing chess..... Or as monotonous as watching paint dry.

 

Even a few trails that are actually up to internal XC standards would be a damn blessing.

I'm not disagreeing with you. Putting a few 5m rock gardens does not an International XCO trail make. All I am saying is that you do need to cater for everyone, and making something really technical as a must-do on a public trail is not the answer. Bennet was involved in the Jonkers trails, wasn't he? So I see no reason why there can't be your proper black stuff at TBMB too.

[Thermophage]

He was yes. Mark from G Spot would be great as well... Although I heard a story he was told a firm NO progressive stuff when Lombards was revamped.... Now we sit with a a trail which could have been amazing and is now just plain mediocre.

Club members are never going to get comfortable with technical stuff if we have no red or black graded (for lack of a better term) trails.

Even our blues... Like the new Hoogekraal one... Not blue in a million years.

 

On a side note. After all the bitching about a rock being removed from the Widowmaker in the week... It was still gone when we rode it yesterday... Thankfully ????

[Bspoke]

Bring back raw trails ,all these berms just made for wan bees on their  Ebikes !

CHAoS!

[Chavo]

Totally agree with the general disdain being expressed. While I am by no means the most skilled rider, progressing and nailing a feature that initially instilled the fear is a feeling that can't be beat! Most of the tygerberg trails are now just miles with a teeny tiny sprinkling of whoopee. As had been said elsewhere before, how can we expect to develop world class competitive athletes (in both downhill and XCO) if we have little to no trails that mirror what to expect on world cup/champs courses? It would suck to have all the fitness in the world, only to be thwarted by a lack of confidence in the technical stuff.

[Matchstix]

Just remember, the club does not maintain Conties. Rob the farmer does the building as far as I know.

Not saying I am a very skilled rider, however if the trails are to easy. . You are not going fast enough.

[DJuice]

I wish we had trails, any type of trails in our area! May it be pitch black or highway with few berms, I will take it.

 

Enjoy the trails you have!