marko35s Posted December 8, 2016 Posted December 8, 2016 With the opening of Tokai only a few days away you’ll be wanting to know what to expect on the opening weekend. Here is a rough guide to the trails. Open trails:MambaBoomslangSnake EyesThe SwitchbacksVasbyt (*half)DH1DH2DH3 (*half)BouldersPuff Adder* Vasbyt and Downhill 3 will be completed as soon as the gum trees around Fairy Garden/Roots trails have been removed. Under Construction:CobraDH0Closed:Fairy GardenMy RootsYour RootsLizardAM TrackBluegum (removed from the trail network - the farmer took his land back)MapsThe trail maps can be found in the picnic area parking and the old mountain bike parking area.Terms and conditions of entry can be found on the map board along with the logos of some very generous companies who assisted greatly in the rebuild. Track changesSeveral of the tracks have been changed, to a greater or lesser degree, try not to engage auto pilot and dive into a corner that isn’t there anymore. The jeep trackThe detour around the dangerous gum trees still standing over the official mountain bike access route will take you up the the steep jeeptrack between the Tokai field office and the burnt out remains of the Wood Owl cottage. The horse rider reps brokered a deal with SANParks that allowed cyclists temporary access to this route. The jeeptrack is narrow, steep, rough, loose, and there may even be the occasional horse... you get the picture. There will be lots of slow traffic on this relatively narrow jeeptrack so please be careful when descending as ascending riders tend to concentrate just few meters in front their wheel, while weaving looking for grip. Please also be aware of not startling anyone (especially horses) on the route, slow down well in advance to avoid conflict! We thank Amarider, the Tokai District (horse) Rider Association, hikers and SANParks for supporting TokaiMTB's application for early access to upper Tokai. SandSome previously solid tracks are now very sandy (Boulders central section is a good example). When the fire ran through Tokai, the pines burnt at such high temperatures it changed the consistency of the topsoil that has left the surface of the trail very loose and impossible to compact. As a solution, the lining of affected trails with hard wearing imported material is a long term task and will be completed over time. Green graded trailsCurrently there are none. Unfortunately the majority of green graded trails are in the lower areas where burnt and hazardous gum trees continue to standing. As a consequence we are currently not allowed into this part of the park. Please respect the warning and no entry signs, compliance will be monitored. Once the trees are removed we will commence a rebuild of these trails. The closest we have to green graded trails are Boulders and Boomslang, both of which can be ridden by pretty much anybody if approached carefully. DirectionUntil we start expanding the trail offering in Tokai, the only climbing trails are Boulders and Puff Adder. The change in direction on all the other trails will make sense when you see the height and density of the vegetation. Blind corners on high speed descending bi-directional trails.. well, it won't be pretty. Silvermine accessCyclists can currently access Tokai from Silvermine via the level 4 jeeptrack while level 5 is only open up to the upper entrance to Cobra. Please respect these closures as it affects our future access. These routes will be monitored for rock slides and the few areas where trees are shedding their limbs. Contractors will continue felling these tress and securing the slope, signage in the ground will indicate the status of the routes. Please respect closures, signs and other users.
marko35s Posted December 9, 2016 Author Posted December 9, 2016 Important edit to above information.- After a change of heart SANParks have now indicated that level 4 is open all the way through and that level 5 is now temporarily closed, we will try and get in there early enough to change the signage before opening tomorrow. And no I don't know why.
Rich990 Posted December 20, 2016 Posted December 20, 2016 Awesome! Are the trails open tomorrow? I'm keen to check them out if anyone wants to join?
usxorf Posted December 20, 2016 Posted December 20, 2016 Weekends only, and excluding 25/12/2016 AFAIK.
Rich990 Posted December 20, 2016 Posted December 20, 2016 Ah bummer. Thanks though, saved me a drive! Wonder where I can ride tomorrow.
capediver Posted December 20, 2016 Posted December 20, 2016 Ah bummer. Thanks though, saved me a drive! Wonder where I can ride tomorrow.Up Table Mountain....Newlands, above Kirstenbosch, to Constantia Nek, down Greenbelts to Tokai...coffee at Trail and Tar....there you go!
marko35s Posted December 20, 2016 Author Posted December 20, 2016 Up Table Mountain....Newlands, above Kirstenbosch, to Constantia Nek, down Greenbelts to Tokai...coffee at Trail and Tar....there you go!The coffee at Bootlegger is well worth the ride.
marko35s Posted December 20, 2016 Author Posted December 20, 2016 Awesome! Are the trails open tomorrow? I'm keen to check them out if anyone wants to join?Pull in on Saturday if you can, it's well worth the trip.
capediver Posted December 20, 2016 Posted December 20, 2016 DH3.....some big stuff but with some B-line options...
Shebeen Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 Just confirming, trails are still open during weekends only in January?
Donovan Le Cok Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 Just confirming, trails are still open during weekends only in January? Yes correct. Only Saturday and Sunday 7am to 6pm (out by 6)
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