Why the MTN Bike park is NOT World Class...

[DawieO]

A less inflamatory approach is definitely the answer.

The park has one or 2 shortcomings, but is a fantastic place to mess around on your bike.  Yes they charge us to ride there and are keenly aware that this brings a requirement for higher standards.  I have absolutely no doubt that Geoff and co would love to hear inputs regarding possible improvements.

[GFishy]

MTN is trying to assist the cycling public...

 

Yes, it might have some flaws, yes it might not be world class...

 

But was Rome build in a day...

 

These things take time, they can only change if they are informed and the reasons are valid...

 

Big to the guys that support cycling in a time where money is a bit tightGFishy2008-12-07 04:32:44

[idrive]

I agree with Vaulter ...... as for Muddee, well I'd rather not reply to the omeba!

 

Went there during the week but I won't be back in a hurry, mainly because it took me almost an hour to get there from Edenvale and OVER two-hours to get home. 3 hrs travelling to ride for an hour!! I also thought about getting caught in the fence. 

 

This morning I rode 60km to Bapsfontein next to the railway, not very technical, but the mud made it difficult. Cost ..... NOTHING and I rode there from home where I get onto dirt 12km from my door.

idrive2008-12-07 04:40:58

[bustthesickness]

 

MTN is trying to assist the cycling public...

Really? I thought they were trying to advertise their product and turn a profit from cyclists with a R50/session fee?

 

[Mudsimus]

 

Went there during the week but I won't be back in a hurry' date=' mainly because it took me almost an hour to get there from Edenvale and OVER two-hours to get home. 3 hrs travelling to ride for an hour!! . 

 

 

[/quote']

 

And this is the park's problem..

[turtlek]

?

 

Went there during the week but I won't be back in a hurry' date=' mainly because it took me almost an hour to get there from Edenvale and OVER two-hours to get home. 3 hrs travelling to ride for an hour!! .?

 

?

 

?

[/quote']

 

?

 

And this is the park's problem..

 

 

 

and going to northern farm or groenkloof is not a trek for us east randers either???????

 

 

 

in all honesty riding in our area is flat fast and absolutely not technical at all....... all of the above will never be found in any race that has half a decent rating by any mountain biker we might as well be riding our road bikes on the dirt in the east rand (other than in the mine dumps)

 

 

 

if you want to ride your mountain bike do technical stuff and test your limits go to the parks and enjoy it like i do eveytime i go through to groenkloof logwood MTN bike park and the likes!!!!! if you want to ride out to bapsfontein and petit rather ride your road bike!!!!!

[bustthesickness]

 

 

 

Went there during the week but I won't be back in a hurry' date=' mainly because it took me almost an hour to get there from Edenvale and OVER two-hours to get home. 3 hrs travelling to ride for an hour!! . 

 

 

 

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

And this is the park's problem..

 

 

 

and going to northern farm or groenkloof is not a trek for us east randers either???????

 

 

 

in all honesty riding in our area is flat fast and absolutely not technical at all....... all of the above will never be found in any race that has half a decent rating by any mountain biker we might as well be riding our road bikes on the dirt in the east rand (other than in the mine dumps)

 

 

 

if you want to ride your mountain bike do technical stuff and test your limits go to the parks and enjoy it like i do eveytime i go through to groenkloof logwood MTN bike park and the likes!!!!! if you want to ride out to bapsfontein and petit rather ride your road bike!!!!!

 

Groenkloof doesn't have very technical stuff to ride tho. That's why it was good to see another bike park opening up. The sad part is that there are very few technical trails in Groenkloof. The only tracks worth riding there are the hiking trails.

 

It's because we are not creating a culture of hard riding that we end up with glory boy stunts like the big bridge at MTN. I fell off my chair laughing when I saw that one. WTH!!!

 

Logwood has some more potential, but when you see guys on hard tails being able to ride the supposed hardest double BD routes it really becomes obvious that we're not riding to standard.

 

[turtlek]

 

?

 

Went there during the week but I won't be back in a hurry' date=' mainly because it took me almost an hour to get there from Edenvale and OVER two-hours to get home. 3 hrs travelling to ride for an hour!! .?

 

?

 

?

[/quote']

 

?

 

And this is the park's problem..

 

 

 

and going to northern farm or groenkloof is not a trek for us east randers either???????

 

 

 

in all honesty riding in our area is flat fast and absolutely not technical at all....... all of the above will never be found in any race that has half a decent rating by any mountain biker we might as well be riding our road bikes on the dirt in the east rand (other than in the mine dumps)

 

 

 

if you want to ride your mountain bike do technical stuff and test your limits go to the parks and enjoy it like i do eveytime i go through to groenkloof logwood MTN bike park and the likes!!!!! if you want to ride out to bapsfontein and petit rather ride your road bike!!!!!

Groenkloof doesn't have very technical stuff to ride tho. That's why it was good to see another bike park opening up. The sad part is that there are very few technical trails in Groenkloof. The only tracks worth riding there are the hiking trails. It's because we are not creating a culture of hard riding that we end up with glory boy stunts like the big bridge at MTN. I fell off my chair laughing when I saw that one. WTH!!!Logwood has some more potential, but when you see guys on hard tails being able to ride the supposed hardest double BD routes it really becomes obvious that we're not riding to standard.

 

 

 

in the last few months groenkloof has been making continuos (sp) effort to improve the trails for us mountain bikers and their aim is for everyone to be able to ride there and also if one of the hardest XC routes in Gauteng is at groenkloof/fountains there is not any technicality lacking at groenkloof

 

 

 

and what is wrong with hardtails on the BD trails????????????

 

 

 

 

[Daniel XTR]

I was in two minds about whether to post about the Bike park, as i prefer not to whinge.

I will say its quite nice to have a safer environment than the spruit on this side of town, even though they are two totally different rides, esp if your tend to ride solo.

 

I was there twice this weekend, and will be back again, no doubt, BUT only when the bike  park is closer to completion, i am not convinced should it be open just yet, as there is not 50 bucks worth of riding YET.

 

Last nights rains did not do the trails any favours, and the park only opened at 9:15 or so. Geoff (i assume, Aussy with Tats) was actually there fixing up the trails and the one fence and bridge which looked worse for the wear.

As a moan the razor wire so close the the trail is plain stupid, all else i can live with, even the rubbish wood, as this will need replacing next week  any ways

 

That is my assesment.

[idrive]

Read what I said. The main problem, apart from it not being as good as I expected. It obviously wasn't quite finished, and yes, I was disappointed, but I will go back to see what its like when its finished. But the main problem I have is that it just isn't close enough to justify going (at the moment) - I must ride the Spruit again.

 

I only ever been to N/Farm 4 times, and those were for races. Never been to Logwood and never been to Greonkloof. They are also too far away.

 

I agree it's pretty flat out this way, but I can get a good workout down at Sizwe the climb out next to Dickie Fitz rd and I find Fishers Hill quite taxing.

 

Out the back of Pomona there are some hills, but I agree, mielie field terrain isn't the best for a good workout.

[ChrisH]

Gee but you Gauties can moan hey?

 

Right, I'm off to ride my mtb. Not sure where though as it's a bit late. Possibly Tokai. Or Jonkershoek. Maybe even Koeberg nature reserve to watch the sunset.

 

Actually, probably just go to Majic forest for the single track instead.

[CycleJunkie]

OOOOOOoooooo

 

 

[Hog_]

I've never been overseas, but from what I've seen on youtube I will agree that the park is not world class. Definitely.

I will also agree that irrigation should have been planned better. I hope they'll work on that though, as they did at Logwood (Zombie Birdhouse comes to mind).

 

The rest of the place I'm happy with. Very happy. I love carving through the green and blue routes, hitting the berms at full speed, hearing my tires complain. Pure bliss!

 

I would love to see more NS type stuff, but as I posted elsewhere before, I don't think the Bryanston Park is the place for it. It's too central, and it should focus on families, weekend warriors, and beginners. If the park catered for freeriders the normal folks would quickly get scared off/bored with pushing their bikes. The park is a great facility to grow the sport - which I think is the more important aspect.

 

If anybody wants to build a Ray's Bike Park clone in JHB, you'll have my support. I may even sponsor a few grand. Until then, I'll support Geoff's parks, since he's the only person building any.

 

 

 

[Tumbleweed]

sorry, but gotta quote this to settle it all:

 

"In mountain biking, there is no destination. Just a bike, a rider, and a place to ride."

 

 

[Tumbleweed]

nice post, hog, which is what i think mud dee was getting at.

[Hog_]

HR, where did you ride today? I ended up at Groenkloof this morning. Managed to get very close to some Zebra, as well as a Giraffe and her young one. I decided to get moving after mommy Giraffe gave me the death stare! I know that look all too well! 

 

I wanted to go to the park this afternoon, but after a late lunch at Schwabinger with the in-laws I'm still struggling to move.