Interesting article about progression and it's risks

[Capricorn]

So if you dont like the berms, go elsewhere... your position is moot. 

 

in your haste to be ironic/moot, you failed to understand my statement: it applies to both types of trail snobs: those who only prefer smooth and those who think they the beesknees just cos they like it 'gnarly'.

[Patchelicious]

in your haste to be ironic/moot, you failed to understand my statement: it applies to both types of trail snobs: those who only prefer smooth and those who think they the beesknees just cos they like it 'gnarly'.

When you said be boring, I thought it made a clear statement on your position.

 

If you meant that it works both ways, then we agree.

 

Edit: there was no mistake due to "haste" in my reply.

[Patchelicious]

This is getting boring, so let me conclude before somebody throws a tantrum.

 

Look, your sport and trails are going to change, you need to understand that there will be more and more berms, because thats what the majority enjoy.

 

I dont build these berms, so don't get upset at me, Im am just telling you that its going to happen. 

 

Most popular MTB race in SA, Sani2c, why, manicured.... golfers like it.

[Capricorn]

When you said be boring, I thought it made a clear statement on your position.

 

If you meant that it works both ways, then we agree.

 

Edit: there was no mistake due to "haste" in my reply.

 

All good: we were on the same page. 

Yes you are right, this whole 'debate' is a bit dull. You have a point about the masses driving a certain 'standard' of trail. I just hope that smooth and berms is not being preferred because there's a 'common understanding 'it doesn't require as much skill as more natural single track. 

I think that would be a major mistake on behalf riders/organisers. I've seen lower skilled riders badly end themselves and their bikes thinking a berm is easy to rip.

 

With growth in the MTB industry, rider upskilling should be a focus, IMO that is.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

in your haste to be ironic/moot, you failed to understand my statement: it applies to both types of trail snobs: those who only prefer smooth and those who think they the beesknees just cos they like it 'gnarly'.

I like both. Unfortunately, the latter is like hens teeth on the biggest trail centre in the cape.

 

Table mountain has tech in spades, Tokai and Jonkers have equal parts imo. Coetzenburg is suuuuper nice in the mix it has.

 

Look. Going suuuuper **** Mach chicken on a flow line is super fun and exhilarating. Make no mistake. It's also *** dangerous, due to the speed you're carrying. But then on he flip side, slow techy sketch AF trails (like Ruperts Revenge and similar) that scare the feck outta me even though I'm going 2kph are also mega fun, in the way that being chased by an axe wielding murderer who is sliiiiiightly faster than you is equal parts exhilarating and scary AF.

 

I want both. But there's a severe lack of the slow tech stuff imo.

[Kranswurm]

I like both. Unfortunately, the latter is like hens teeth on the biggest trail centre in the cape.

 

Table mountain has tech in spades, Tokai and Jonkers have equal parts imo. Coetzenburg is suuuuper nice in the mix it has.

 

Look. Going suuuuper **** Mach chicken on a flow line is super fun and exhilarating. Make no mistake. It's also *** dangerous, due to the speed you're carrying. But then on he flip side, slow techy sketch AF trails (like Ruperts Revenge and similar) that scare the feck outta me even though I'm going 2kph are also mega fun, in the way that being chased by an axe wielding murderer who is sliiiiiightly faster than you is equal parts exhilarating and scary AF.

 

I want both. But there's a severe lack of the slow tech stuff imo.

After your last enduro experience i had the impression that its the last thing you wanted

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

After your last enduro experience i had the impression that its the last thing you wanted

Lol. No. Definitely not. That stage (if you're referring to Ezel) was absolutely bloody fantastic. I was just shattered and couldn't continue to stage 5. Was also outside the cutoff.

 

You definitely got the wrong impression.

[MTBJD]

I like both. Unfortunately, the latter is like hens teeth on the biggest trail centre in the cape.

 

Table mountain has tech in spades, Tokai and Jonkers have equal parts imo. Coetzenburg is suuuuper nice in the mix it has.

 

Look. Going suuuuper **** Mach chicken on a flow line is super fun and exhilarating. Make no mistake. It's also *** dangerous, due to the speed you're carrying. But then on he flip side, slow techy sketch AF trails (like Ruperts Revenge and similar) that scare the feck outta me even though I'm going 2kph are also mega fun, in the way that being chased by an axe wielding murderer who is sliiiiiightly faster than you is equal parts exhilarating and scary AF.

 

I want both. But there's a severe lack of the slow tech stuff imo.

Start building and lobbying   

[Odinson]

Start building and lobbying   

 

#NoDigNoRide

[Headshot]

THIS is why I bought a MTB ...  

 

NC Trip-126.jpg

 

NC Trip-157.jpg

 

NC Trip-208.jpg

 

That's progression right there... from gravel road to trials on a boulder. Well done !

[Headshot]

Oh my god. Like a bunch of old fuckin' women. 

 

If you're a dirt roadie, who enjoys knocking out big miles in lycra and on your Epic/Spark, then head to the gravel roads and do your thing. 

 

However, a lot of people prefer to be technically challenged when heading out on a MTB ride. Thus, it becomes frustrating when trail centres only have 'green' trails, which suits the preferences of the 'Epic' MAMILs. This leads to lycra bandits thinking they can tackle techy terrain at mach chicken, because they can 'slay the green trail at Moddies, bru'. Said riders usually end up like this when faced with actual trail obstacles. 

 

http://cdn.24.co.za/files/Cms/General/d/5879/91164ef33c47490f97c6c64e936e5098.jpg

 

As far as possible, trail centres should be inclusive, i.e. accessible for both beginners and okes with skillz and steeze.

Hey, I ended up face first in a bush yesterday and I had baggies and knee pads on, bru. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Start building and lobbying   

I was on the Tokai MTB committee until recently, and have been building in Tokai for ~10 years as a volunteer. Also ride with (and hound) Patrick from Tygerberm every so often. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Hey, I ended up face first in a bush yesterday and I had baggies and knee pads on, bru. 

MUST. HOLD. TONGUE!!!

 

 

is that cos you have rough carpets?

[Headshot]

All trails require a skill set to ride fast. Berms can add to the experience especially if they allow you to carry speed on flatter terrain. Vasbyt at Tokai is a case in point. 

 

Where they don't work, is where the builder has contrived to create trail distance by inserting numerous corners where there should not have been any. Found a section like this at Paul Cluver once. 

 

Berms also help keep trail erosion at bay and usually go hand in glove with some drainage work. 

 

As they say though, too much of a good thing may be bad...