JohnnyReggae Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 Went out to Tokai for a short ride yesterday. Was riding up The Faerie Garden, heard 2 woman talking heading down (the trail snakes quite a bit with thick bush, so you can hear people but not see them) they seemed to be walking as I didn't hear the normal bike noises so carried on riding, come round an uphill bend.... suddenly there are 2 horses !!! To make matters worse the horses seemed very skittish, and if I hadn't dismounted off my MUni I'm sure they both would have taken off in any direction at speed. Even just standing with my MUni the horses were not very sure what to do and both woman struggled to control their horses. So my rant is.... WTF ... are you doing taking a horse down a very narrow winding single track where you can't see what is on the trail for the next 5 meters when your horse is very skittish ..... for starters... what would have happened if I had been on an MTB going a lot faster !!!! Then .... WhyTF ... are you taking a horse down a single track ...F$*@#^&ing up the single track !!! During the rainy season last year I noticed so much trail damage done by horses on the single tracks, and it annoys the living cr@p out of me. Tokai forest has specific roads that MTB'ers are not allowed on that horses are, and there are additional trails in the lower forest specifically for horses !!!! gggrrrrr
ridesleeprepeat Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 unfortunately us bike riders are at the bottom of the pile in terms of yeilding trails so it's one of those situations where it just better to shut-up and carry on... one day their horses will spook and when they make it out the forest they won't be going back in a hurry... moose B2009-01-23 00:44:51
fandacious Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 is the trail open to everyone? or is it only for cyclists. if its only for cyclists, maybe stop and have a friendly chat with them next time?
JohnnyReggae Posted January 23, 2009 Author Posted January 23, 2009 Didn't get to say anything to them, which I supposed annoyed me even more. I was to busy keeping an eye on the horses as they were very skittish, and didn't feel like being trampled by a horse. Been around enough horses to know the damage they can inflict when they suddenly bolt. Then got even more annoyed with the "sweet" voice of one of the the woman "Oh .. look there's a unicycle" ... ffs !!
splat Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 I hate that feeling where you spend the rest of the day replaying the situation and kicking yourself for not saying a whole lot of things. Like: 'Oh look, a Horsie! On the Effing single track!'
splat Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 is the trail open to everyone? or is it only for cyclists. if its only for cyclists' date=' maybe stop and have a friendly chat with them next time? [/quote'] I think the trails are open to anyone, but it is silly to have skittish horses on tight single track where you cant see around the corners...
Cheryl J Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 Hi I've noticed this aswell... luckily I haven't had the same experience as you... ? Perhaps try contacting SANParks who administer the area? ?All horseriders have to have permits and there are not a lot of them apparently. ?So it shouldn't be too hard for SANParks to issue a warning / please to the approx 100 riders NOT to use singletrack built specifically for MTBing. Trail sharing is all very well on large jeeptracks / roads. ?Its ridiculous on singletrack ----------------------------- Ok just mailed Meurant who has mailed the SANParks guy. Be interesting to see the response Cheryl J2009-01-23 01:22:52
Bos Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 Dude I was comming down the dirtroad from the silvermine road once when two girls on horses blocked the road ahead of me, so I stop right.. but my disc made a very slight squeal and this PISSED THOSE HORSES OFF, they were on theire behinds almost threw the effen chick off after about 2 minutes she gained controle and shouted at me to never do that again, I was like Eff woman, should I have just went for the horse at full tilt?? Bottom line, she diddnt think, probably the same thing those girls on the singletrack did, Or DIDNT. I have no problem sharing the trail with them, I meen its not me thats going to get Launched up a tree when that horse gets a fright. BOS10002009-01-23 01:51:39
Nettie R Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 If bikes, walkers,runners, are allowed to use the same trail, bikers should give way to the pedestrians. I don't know where horses fit in though. Be nice and accommodating. It takes very little to say hi and move over. You could've ended up with a date tonight.
Joe Low Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 Storm............................teacup Can this really be a big deal? I like JR's name though - is it from the 70s song Here comes Johnny Reggae? It sets it off in my head every time I see it. Also agree with Shebeen above, must be hard to type with trailing knuckles though. Joe Low2009-01-23 01:14:52
Shebeen Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 Bottom line' date=' she is a woman, and they often dont think, probably the same thing those girls on the singletrack did, Or DIDNT. [/quote'] not cool dude
Slowbee Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 at last, at last !! No reflection on JR. But I recal a few threads when mtbikers mentioned riding on paths that were for walkers only and not meant mtbikers. A couple of folk mentioned how cool it was and that "breaking" the rules was cool. Ja, so others do it to you and its complain " she dont eat meat, but she sure like the bone" . Joe Low, if it was a cofee mug would it be a category 5 ?
Slowbee Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 Hi I've noticed this aswell... luckily I haven't had the same experience as you... Perhaps try contacting SANParks who administer the area? All horseriders have to have permits and there are not a lot of them apparently. So it shouldn't be too hard for SANParks to issue a warning / please to the approx 100 riders NOT to use singletrack built specifically for MTBing. Trail sharing is all very well on large jeeptracks / roads. Its ridiculous on singletrack as long as you stick to riding on mtb routes only as well and have never taken a chance and ridden where you should have not.
Slowbee Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 If bikes' date=' walkers,runners, are allowed to use the same trail, bikers should give way to the pedestrians. I don't know where horses fit in though. Be nice and accommodating. It takes very little to say hi and move over. You could've ended up with a date tonight.[/quote'] flippen best thing said all year !!
Bos Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 Okay that was meant as a joke sorry If youre offended shebeen.. Im saying that they should think, If the sound of a bike stopping could get them seriously hurt then why go on trails that are littered with riders? there are lots of trails in tokai that are less likely to dish up rider flying down hills. Again, Im sorry If Im sounding disrespectful here. I shouldn't have made fun of her, but what happened is evidence of this, right? I definately dont have "watch out for horses/ people watch out for People and horse" running through my mind all the time" as there are trails we build, so If people come by foot, they can look out for us, If I see people in the trail I do slow down, but They dont get a fright and start kicking each other. The horse riders must think.
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