Hoogekraal Cobra - rant

[pietas]

Or bring the cyclo-cross 

[Thermophage]

Or bring the cyclo-cross 

Yeah someone said earlier they're ridden all the trails on a CX bike with a little walking...

[popcorn_skollie]

You guys make TBMTBC Trails sound like the Western Cape version of the Sani2C trails...

 

Don't mind them. Those rocky lines at the top of Conties still rattle my nerves.

The table at the bottom? If I ever clear that thing I'll probably put it on my CV. The Gorge at Hoogies? I have no idea what I'm doing there. Either I'm too slow or I over shoot stuff and pray that my bike straightens before I land. 

 

There's definitely features that take practice and aid progression. At least for me.  

I think the point is that part of what makes riding so lekker is the sense of achievement when you nail something you've had practice on. When a trail is dumbed down. That's taken away, and it feels like robbery. 

[Jewbacca]

Yeah someone said earlier they're ridden all the trails on a CX bike with a little walking...

I am a sucker for punishment though having been one of the hardtails at Ezelenduro...

 

But the CX bike is super rad on the tygerberg trails. The only place I haven't ridden cleanly is the conties main line. That just isn't cricket on the CX bike.

[Hairy]

You don't need a full-sus bike for the TBMTBC trails.

 

Cobra is still fun, but it's really a pity that pretty hairy section is now tamed.

my wife thought she would tame me, she was wrong ..... lovie, if you are reading this it is meant in jest, you know that right

[Thermophage]

my wife thought she would tame me, she was wrong ..... lovie, if you are reading this it is meant in jest, you know that right

hahahaha 

[Dan Dob]

i was pleasantly surprise and definitely soiled myself, when i hit the double black at Lebanon, however i'm an average rider, live on table mountain so not much of upskilling there!

 

the rock garden/drops Dan(iRide) spoke about put me in very very uncomfortable space, although i rode it and coped, i contemplate going back and riding it again!

There's no double black in Lebanon-just a black.

[GLuvsMtb]

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. 

Perhaps you should reconsider how you collect your data. Surveys are bias, no matter how well thought out the questions are. Actual user data is much more insightful, but for that you need to collect user data.

If TBMTBC had a type of tag-in / tag-out system (trailtag or a simple swipe card for example), you would be able to determine how many of your members are active. Its dangerous thinking you have 3000 active members when in reality you only have 500 active members. Furthermore you can see which trails are more popular. If you for instance had a gate at the start of Cobra, where you had to swipe to enter, you would have easy access to how many riders rode the section, you would be able to engage with individual members on their experience (as you would have their details logged) and it could assist you with future projects.

Every year new members join, but more importantly some don't renew their membership. If you notice that an active member does not renew, you could engage with this member and find out why. Perhaps the member moved, or perhaps the trails are no longer appealing, in which case TBMTBC should take notice.

It could also assist with security on the corridors as only members with tags could potentially open and close gates. Tags can be de-activated once subscriptions expire etc.

I get that the club needs to focus its resources to where the majority wants it to go to, but be careful that the upper 5% becomes the upper 25% who you do not cater for, by virtue of people improving their skills. I suspect the inflow of new members have plateaued and the club's new challenge would be to get the inactive members more active (otherwise they will no renew) and to retain the active members. The active members are the lifeblood of a club like TBMTBC, not the 75% who pay subs and don't ride more than twice a month.

Another point is that the club focus on quantity in terms of km's of single track (it is one of the mission statements if I am not mistaken). Perhaps the focus should be shifted towards quality and not just quantity.

[Hairy]

Perhaps you should reconsider how you collect your data. Surveys are bias, no matter how well thought out the questions are. Actual user data is much more insightful, but for that you need to collect user data.

If TBMTBC had a type of tag-in / tag-out system (trailtag or a simple swipe card for example), you would be able to determine how many of your members are active. Its dangerous thinking you have 3000 active members when in reality you only have 500 active members. Furthermore you can see which trails are more popular. If you for instance had a gate at the start of Cobra, where you had to swipe to enter, you would have easy access to how many riders rode the section, you would be able to engage with individual members on their experience (as you would have their details logged) and it could assist you with future projects.

Every year new members join, but more importantly some don't renew their membership. If you notice that an active member does not renew, you could engage with this member and find out why. Perhaps the member moved, or perhaps the trails are no longer appealing, in which case TBMTBC should take notice.

It could also assist with security on the corridors as only members with tags could potentially open and close gates. Tags can be de-activated once subscriptions expire etc.

I get that the club needs to focus its resources to where the majority wants it to go to, but be careful that the upper 5% becomes the upper 25% who you do not cater for, by virtue of people improving their skills. I suspect the inflow of new members have plateaued and the club's new challenge would be to get the inactive members more active (otherwise they will no renew) and to retain the active members. The active members are the lifeblood of a club like TBMTBC, not the 75% who pay subs and don't ride more than twice a month.

Another point is that the club focus on quantity in terms of km's of single track (it is one of the mission statements if I am not mistaken). Perhaps the focus should be shifted towards quality and not just quantity.

 

 

the only point I would like to argue is the quantity over quality ... I would prefer to quantity and quality on an even keel

[Hairy]

I say this, but I still have fun every time I am out on my bike on the Tygerberg trails.

[Mads]

I say this, but I still have fun every time I am out on my bike on the Tygerberg trails.

I absolutly enjoyed every minute riding that trails. I was on a high for days afterwards. You guys are really spoilt and dont even realize how spoilt.

['Dale]

Quick dirt roadie question ????

 

Is it okay to ride them trails a few hours after a bit of rain or the day after heavy rains?

 

Just thinking about erosion and unintended trail damage etc

 

Are there 'best practices'?

[Skubarra]

Quick dirt roadie question ????

 

Is it okay to ride them trails a few hours after a bit of rain or the day after heavy rains?

 

Just thinking about erosion and unintended trail damage etc

 

Are there 'best practices'?

Good question... Don't really know.

 

I usually wait a day for the sun to do its thing, both for the trails and to have less mud in the gears.

 

(Still weird to see you talk mtb...)

[MTBeer]

you can please some of the people some of the time, but blah blah blah....

[Raydek]

Quick dirt roadie question [emoji851]

 

Is it okay to ride them trails a few hours after a bit of rain or the day after heavy rains?

 

Just thinking about erosion and unintended trail damage etc

 

Are there 'best practices'?

Depends on the trail and the amount amount of rainfall. For instance, Hoogekraal and the upper sections of contermans drains really well and quickly, whereas the likes of bloemendaaler, lower Meerendal and Lombards Terra drain a lot slower so get quite boggy.

 

My rule of thumb is 24 hours for every 20mm of rain and then I'd head to Hoogekraal first as it would be drier sooner. After a bit of drizzle though I wouldn't stress too much.

 

Common sense also should prevail. If you hit a trail and you are leaving inch deep tracks in your wake, best to turn around and ride another day.

['Dale]

Thanx for the feedback

Lines up with my roadie brain ????