Van Gaalen Oom Piet - new section ?

[JCVenter]

Hi everyone.

We rode VG today. I have never done a "casual" ride at VG, always just the races.

As we went up the jeep track approaching Oom Piet the gate was locked (big chain big lock), with a sign indicating private property etc etc. I took the path bending off to the right, this grass was recently cut here and it seemed the correct way to go. However it later become clearly a "lawnmower that got lost" type of path. We ended-up completely missing Oom Piet by following this, again this seemed recently cut and the way they wanted us to go. I did notice 2 riders which must have climbed over the gate and simple went onto the usual Oom Piet path. I know getting lost at VG is part of the experience but this "new section" was really not nice, only the veld grass cut, no further track building.

What I want to know is..... do we simply ignore the gate and warning and just continue on the path which was the old Oom Piet ?

 

This is not a rant, just want to know what happened to Oom Piet's, will be back at VG but not going to follow the new section again...

 

Thanks,

 

Jaco

 

[shaper]

Maybe this, see comment from LTG https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/93073-where-has-your-bike-taken-you-today/page-616

[JCVenter]

thanks shaper,  but that part is not close to oom Piet's and actually looks like a nice loop.

[Victor van Gaalen]

Hi Jaco

 

 

 

Oom piets and Nguni Trail Have changed.

The  new Owner is making a part of the route a Game farm, after some negotiations with other landowners we have managed to get a new route to "Oom Piets" and 'Nguni" decent. At the moment with all the rain we cannot spray a line and have only managed to cut the new route. It needs a bit of riding to get settled in, but we assure you all of our routes started out like this. I have a feeling the new route will be better than the old one, also an option is to do it in reverse if you know the route well, it now has added a few new lines to the network, going down to Nyoaka Ridge. By winter is should be a proper smooth climb up to the top.

 

Van Gaalen Trails Team

[L.T.G]

  just want to know what happened to Oom Piet's, will be back at VG but not going to follow the new section again...

 

Thanks,

 

Jaco

Hi Jaco 

Yip, as Vic said, all new due to the new fencing. We rode the new route too on Sat, bit of a fight because of the grass, but it'll be all good in due course once it can sprayed. It's a pity to lose part of the familiar Oom.. but as with all things at VG.. it just gets better.

 

Maybe this, see comment from LTG https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/93073-where-has-your-bike-taken-you-today/page-616

 This route, is on the opposite side of the trail network.

After doing Concrete Road and you drop down the other side, you either head right towards the donga/wave runner etc.. or left to DaggaPad/Tant Miems etc..

This is right, then looking out for the first left arrow you see.

But be warned.. it really is "Loopy", hence the name.. very technical.