[Event] JMC 2020 - please note Jonkershoek trails in use!

[owensafrica]

Event Name: JMC 2020 - please note Jonkershoek trails in use!
When: 8 November 2020
Where: Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, Western Cape
Category: Industry / General

The 10th edition of the Jonkershoek Mountain Challenge (trail run) will take place on the Sunday 8th November 2020. The following MTO trails will be in use during the times indicated:

 

FIRE LOOKOUT 1, 2, 3: 06:10-07:30

 

BOS LUIS: 07:15-11:00

 

VALLEY TRAIL: 07:15-11:00

 

NEVERENDING STORY: 07:15-11:00

 

ARMAGEDDON: 08:00-1300

 

Please plan your ride to use alternative trails during this time.

Go to Event Page

[Meezo]

Thanks for that

 

With regards to running on the above trails, especially trails coming down, are they generally open for hiking/running?

 

I'm asking because I've been going Jonkershoek every weekend since hard lockdown ended, and about 5 times down firehut, and every time I've encountered runners running up, twice i had to run off the trail without crashing.

 

This weekend the guy coming up was lightning speed out the way fortunately as it was a blind corner now that the trees are growing nicely

[Jbr]

I've seen two runners going up the armaggedon last weekend when I was going down. They did not bother me as they instantly jumped to the side, but I wondered why ? There are like a million trails for hikers and runners and only a few MTB trails (at least that how the signage makes it look like when you're making your way to the top), why would they feel the need to go on "our" trails ?

 

It's nice that in this specific event we get a warning, but I feel for those who will make their way to the trails on this day not knowing they won't be able to ride them      Hopefully there's going to be a sign at the gate 

Edited October 26, 2020 by Jbr

[CJ Van]

Thanks for that

 

With regards to running on the above trails, especially trails coming down, are they generally open for hiking/running?

 

I'm asking because I've been going Jonkershoek every weekend since hard lockdown ended, and about 5 times down firehut, and every time I've encountered runners running up, twice i had to run off the trail without crashing.

 

This weekend the guy coming up was lightning speed out the way fortunately as it was a blind corner now that the trees are growing nicely

The only trail in Jonkers that is for MTB as well as for running and hiking is Irish.  Only for MTB's going up, both directions for hikers and runners.  None of the MTB single track down is dual direction and definitely not for hikers or runners.  

 

You could have gotten away with running up fire hut after the fires but the trees are now getting to tall and you cannot see someone coming down around the corners any more.  

 

Next time you encounter a hiker or runner on the trails please stop and kindly explain that they are putting your safety at risk by going up/down the trail.  There is more than enough signage at the bottom of the single track showing no entry.  Yelling and swearing at them does not help because for some odd reason a lot of them think that they have the right to be on that trail.  

[Meezo]

 

The only trail in Jonkers that is for MTB as well as for running and hiking is Irish.  Only for MTB's going up, both directions for hikers and runners.  None of the MTB single track down is dual direction and definitely not for hikers or runners.  

 

You could have gotten away with running up fire hut after the fires but the trees are now getting to tall and you cannot see someone coming down around the corners any more.  

 

Next time you encounter a hiker or runner on the trails please stop and kindly explain that they are putting your safety at risk by going up/down the trail.  There is more than enough signage at the bottom of the single track showing no entry.  Yelling and swearing at them does not help because for some odd reason a lot of them think that they have the right to be on that trail.  

 

i say big swear words and things in my head, as I'd like to be nice. and exactly that... i've made so by the way comments to my riding mates, that i don't think there's supposed to be runners on the trial.

 

but as said I'm 5/5 times riding there since March where I've encountered folks running up. in particular the lower firehut trail.

 

thanks for this, i will address it accordingly.

[mikkelz]

Also encountered runners/walkers (not the walking dead kind, thankfully) at Jonkershoek on Saturday for the first time.

 

It was around 7am, so they must have made an early start! Going up Irish, they moved over well in advance.

 

And down on Neverending story, also moved out of the way in time (thankfully).

 

It is a little strange, I agree. 

[PhilipV]

[Shebeen]

As both a runner and a rider I'm very much in the "share the trails" camp. So as a once off, i think it's fair for the mtbers to stay off these for the morning.

 

There are definitely a lot of mtb trails that are only suitable for one direction and bikes only.

I hope the trails community can educate their runners on this, especially since the majority of mtb trails have zero funding from trail runners. 

 

would be nice if some $$$ from this race, or at least recognition can go here.

https://stellenboschtrailfund.co.za/

 

 

ps. as per IMBA recommendations, if you ride on high traffic and shared trails -  get a bell on your bike!

Edited November 4, 2020 by Shebeen

[Jewbacca]

I think the Runner traffic on fire hut has become more prominent since the hikers/runners can no longer drive to the hiking/walking trails.

 

The 5km either way adds on a lot of time and effort for runners/walkers, so I guess they opt to go up and at least make their walk more pleasant. 

 

I actually get it and don't begrudge people on the very upper Firehut and the contour. 

 

On the other trails it is just dumb. Lower 2 firehuts can be avoided easily and the other trails are in amongst the hiking trails/contour path.

 

Closing the gate to vehicles does change the dynamic of the park, I think the firehut contour should be a dual purpose trail to allow for it.

 

But ja, foot traffic on fast downhill trails is dumb. Burn them