Hoogekraal Cobra - rant

[whattingh]

I level of our trail compare to the world is massive difference. Here is a photos from a normal  multiday canada race. So section is like this for multiple km's. For them this is normal. 

 

http://flowmountainbike.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/DS_BCBR13_6_094-600x350.jpg

http://cdn.velonews.competitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/1024-DS_BCBR11_6_0422.jpg

[Thermophage]

It's late and bed is calling so just a quick response regarding the survey. There were challenges with deciphering the data as many people either misunderstood the questions or misinterpreted their technical prowess (ie "I ride the b-spot boardwalk with caution but I do the conties black gap jumps"). The other challenge was that it repetitive wording on comments suggested many people had completed the survey multiple times. Ideally, we need real data on how many people are riding various trails and of that, what portion of people are riding the available lines. From this, we'll be better equipped to cater for our members.

That said, the AGM seldom attracts more than 40 people so it appears that TMTBC finds itself in a similar position to PPA where people have an opinion but are not finding the right platforms to be part of the change.

Just a friendly observation I've made too: we all like to ride with people of similar fitness and technical skills. The world view of mountain bikers is shaped by your friends and it is not necessarily a true reflection of the greater mountain biking community. 

So put out another survey and ask for people to add their name to it.

Then remove all posts where they didn't supply a name.

 

Well, I would have loved to have attended the AGM, but sorely I seem to have missed it.

Probably the biggest problem is this...(and I deal with it in rock climbing all the time as well).

People OVER grading stuff..i.e. calling something much harder than it is in reality.

So many of the people on the trails who think they Can't ride the Cobra because it's graded black is a good example. 

Whereas I've taken people who've been riding a few weeks down the black from the mast at Contermans. Where they walked a few sections, but rode the rest...And why? Because they weren't given the impression that they were going to die.

 

 

Agreed with your first statement but not as much on the 2nd. People have their reasons for riding the trails they do and if they have the same smile after riding a green trail as you do after riding a double black, that doesn't make them any less of a mountain biker in my eyes.

We have NO double black. The grading on the trails is completely off-whack...

Lombards is a Blue, Cobra is a blue, Bloemendaaler Blue, etc, etc, etc.

 

Even the new XCO loop along with Lombards doesn't compare to the XCO loop at Coetzenberg in Stellenbosch.

 

So basically the club is assisting in creating a community of riders who are too scared to try anything new my over-inflating the difficulty of the trails with the grading? Perhaps that's a bit harsh to say...Maybe..But over-inflation certainly doesn't help.

 

It's similar to the BS about telling people they must not ride Lombards at the night rides because it's dangerous...It's not dangerous unless you're trying to be a chop, in which case good thing you signed the indemnity form ne

[Thermophage]

I level of our trail compare to the world is massive difference. Here is a photos from a normal  multiday canada race. So section is like this for multiple km's. For them this is normal. 

 

http://flowmountainbike.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/DS_BCBR13_6_094-600x350.jpg

http://cdn.velonews.competitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/1024-DS_BCBR11_6_0422.jpg

 Yep...even the Spur 45km Marathon race I rode yesterday at Nooitedacht had sections if singletrack VASTLY more technical than the Tygerberg trails.

And it's not exactly like I am riding my trail bike a lot of the times on the trail either...

 

[Matchstix]

BC has a bit of everything, trails are not always fast but rooty and rocky they will be. Very few people on HT though. Trails are also in general a bit steeper. Everything is built to be ride able(excluding big drops and jumps you need balls and skill). But yes most of our trails should be rated blue

[milky4130]

Just a random question.: When did the smoothing of the trails took place? Before or after the Fedhealth race in the beginning of the month? Just want to find out on what Cobra I rode.

 

 

Hey Milky... Yes it did.

 

For the 1st time it went down Cobra.

aaah apologies you are right, its all comeback to me now, was trying to forgot it, its was the one time i hated coming down there, only because i was at my limits, running too hard pressure up the front, wiped out on the Conties blue route (put a wheel over one of those berms) so by the time i got to Cobra i was cringing.

[Matchstix]

https://www.imba.com/resources/maps/trail-difficulty-ratings

[Thermophage]

https://www.imba.com/resources/maps/trail-difficulty-ratings

Hmmmm looking at that, the upper section of the black route at Conties is ALSO a blue 

[Mads]

aaah apologies you are right, its all comeback to me now, was trying to forgot it, its was the one time i hated coming down there, only because i was at my limits, running too hard pressure up the front, wiped out on the Conties blue route (put a wheel over one of those berms) so by the time i got to Cobra i was cringing.

I thought so. I actually recognised the route from the segment hunter videos. Which helped me on the day...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Hmmmm looking at that, the upper section of the black route at Conties is ALSO a blue 

Yep. Only from the split down (where you go off right to Revised) can it start being a black. 

[Thermophage]

Yep. Only from the split down (where you go off right to Revised) can it start being a black. 

Although...even that has only ONE unavoidable drop that fits the Black criteria  Which...if you go slightly on the right is not even black criteria 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I thought so. I actually recognised the route from the segment hunter videos. Which helped me on the day...

It's my favourite section on Hoogekraal. 2nd fave is the lower section on the way back down to the car park - from that little drop before the widowmaker down. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Although...even that has only ONE unavoidable drop that fits the Black criteria  Which...if you go slightly on the right is not even black criteria 

Yep. But on that side it's the average grade that gets it up there, afaik. Together with the unavoidable drop. 

[NicoBoshoff]

I've ridden blue trails in Switzerland that would make you think everything in Jonkers is a green trail, and frankly, I think everything except Bennet's Red and Plumber should probably be green/blue rated, and that's not a bad thing.  Bad for the sport is everything is poo your pants gnar.  Need to have the Firehuts and Oom Hansie's to get people to eventually fly down Plumber. 

 

But even in the Alps the difference between Morgins in Switzerland and Morzine was huge.  The Blue and Red on Morgins made Pleney Black seem tame.  And I reckon it's a consequence of the terrain and crowds.  The more riders you get, the more likely you'll grade a bit higher to limit your exposure to liability.  Yeah, indemnity inschmemnity.  You want to prevent it from even getting to that.

 

However, in a place like the Alps I'm fine with that because there is sooooo much variety either way.  Same goes for jonkershoek. But as you say, Tygerberh trails are a bit monotonous, which is why I haven't bothered with getting a permit and never take the drive there.  My local trails may be short, but they have it all. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I've ridden blue trails in Switzerland that would make you think everything in Jonkers is a green trail, and frankly, I think everything except Bennet's Red and Plumber should probably be green/blue rated, and that's not a bad thing.  Bad for the sport is everything is poo your pants gnar.  Need to have the Firehuts and Oom Hansie's to get people to eventually fly down Plumber. 

 

But even in the Alps the difference between Morgins in Switzerland and Morzine was huge.  The Blue and Red on Morgins made Pleney Black seem tame.  And I reckon it's a consequence of the terrain and crowds.  The more riders you get, the more likely you'll grade a bit higher to limit your exposure to liability.  Yeah, indemnity inschmemnity.  You want to prevent it from even getting to that.

 

However, in a place like the Alps I'm fine with that because there is sooooo much variety either way.  Same goes for jonkershoek. But as you say, Tygerberh trails are a bit monotonous, which is why I haven't bothered with getting a permit and never take the drive there.  My local trails may be short, but they have it all. 

Dude. If I had Paarl on my doorstep, that's all I'd ride. That and Jonkers. 

 

Much the same as how I never went anywhere but Tokai until the fire, except for a random trip to Jonkers once every 6 months or so. Only ever got to ride the old new burnt double black that was a blue there twice before it went up in smoke... 

[NicoBoshoff]

Dude. If I had Paarl on my doorstep, that's all I'd ride. That and Jonkers. 

 

Much the same as how I never went anywhere but Tokai until the fire, except for a random trip to Jonkers once every 6 months or so. Only ever got to ride the old new burnt double black that was a blue there twice before it went up in smoke... 

Funny thing is, from December the trails will be literally on my doorstep.  Moving to the neighbourhood below the forest, so I'll be able to pop up for continued maintenance and rides much easier as I can then incorporate it into a walk with the family.  We're really lucky here to have a landowner which is stoked on having us there and a riding community that is keen to keep progressing.  Even the XC trail across the road at the dam keeps getting more tech every few months.

[Thermophage]

The new Y-Bike kiddies track at Bloemendal has a bigger rock garden than most of the Tygerberg trails!