MTb and Hills

[Aljo]

Hi Guys,

 

I need some tips on how to get hill-ready!

Any Advice?

 

Im in the Pretoria area, do any one no of some nice hills that can help me get fit

[Canaris]

Klapperkop.  Just take a friend or two and pepper spray.  There is a single track from the bottom to the top, and the area where the water pipes were laid is very rideable.

[Pom1]

Klapperkop is good for a start and it close by, then just about an hours drive to Hekpoort (leave your car at the petrol sta.) you can ride Breedsnek which many MTB'ers use as a pilgrimage on weekends.

[Canaris]

Just a few weeks ago a friend was robbed of his bike on the kop, so now small groups and pepper spray is necessary for safety.  (However once the municipality has finished with the work on the Kop I think things will cool down a bit).

 

There are two routs to consider. 

The first is on the south side of the kop.  If you drive up Johan Rissik from Nelson Mandela, just after the road works you should see the single track on the right hand side.  This track takes you to the golf course fence.  You then ride along the fence until a jeep track that will take you to the top of the hill just before the town house complexes.  (There is a single track that will take you to the road near the radio beacon as well.)

 

The second rout is a jeep track that is on the left side of the road (neer the first routes start).  This jeep track is a bit washed out and becomes a single track and half track (all down hill) until it meets the fence near the fountain circle.  From there turn right (away from the fountain circle and follow the fence until you get to the gravel covering the water pipes.  Follow this gravel "highway" until you are almost at the resevoir,  you will see single track on your left.  Follow that until you get to the radio beacon (real gnarley climb there).

 

There are also some trails on Wonderboom ridge  between Montana and Waverley which need some defining and development

[chuck]

The groenkloof ride is very nice and includes everything you need. And most important it's safe! I have an annual MTB permit which allows fountains, groenkloof and rietvlei. It has paid for itself this year already. Best money I've spend that you can't ride or drink.

[Mr MEE]

Chuck, where do you get the purchase MTB permit from and how much?

[Roux 1]

The groenkloof ride is very nice and includes everything you need. And most important it's safe! I have an annual MTB permit which allows fountains' date=' groenkloof and rietvlei. It has paid for itself this year already. Best money I've spend that you can't ride or drink. [/quote']

 

Where did get the permit?

How much?

[Roders]

Intervals, intervals, intervals and more intervals

[chuck]

You can get the permit at the Fountains main gate. Can't remember the exact amount but somewhere around R560. This is valid for 12 months from date of issue and can be used for Fountains, Groenkloof and Rietvlei.

 

~31 rides and it is paid for and you don't have to hassle with money all the time.

 

There is also a cheaper 'normal' permit for ~R480 that will only give access to Groenkloof. Either one I think is money well spend. I ride at least 2 time a week at Groenkloof and try to do the same at Rietvlei. This is R57 a week.

 

Oh and did I mention that I get 7.5% of the taking for every person that buys one

 

 

 

[bustthesickness]

 

You can get the permit at the Fountains main gate. Can't remember the exact amount but somewhere around R560. This is valid for 12 months from date of issue and can be used for Fountains' date=' Groenkloof and Rietvlei.

 

~31 rides and it is paid for and you don't have to hassle with money all the time.

 

There is also a cheaper 'normal' permit for ~R480 that will only give access to Groenkloof. Either one I think is money well spend. I ride at least 2 time a week at Groenkloof and try to do the same at Rietvlei. This is R57 a week.

 

Oh and did I mention that I get 7.5% of the taking for every person that buys one

 

 

 

[/quote']

what is Rietvlei like. I'm from there but never ended up riding there. Any good?

 

[chuck]

 

what is Rietvlei like. I'm from there but never ended up riding there. Any good?

 

It's definitely not Groenkloof. They have two trails on opposite sides of the dam, both around 5-7K's long. One is fast flat single track, the other have a nice climb. The only problem is that sometimes they leave it a bit long between cutting the trails and if you don't know it you could loose your way. But when they do cut it is nice. They started at R20 but a few of us petitioned them and got them to reduce it to R10. For a late afternoon session after work it sure beats the hell out of using the road and it's worth the  10 bucks. I stay a few k's away and would ride there sometimes after work of a quick lap or 4.

 

PS. if they haven't cut the trail for some time they will most probably let you in for free.

 

[Dibles]

There is also a cheaper 'normal' permit for ~R480 that will only give access to Groenkloof.

 

 

The Groenkloof permit costs R410.50. The bonus about having the annual entry permit is that you don't have to fill in the paperwork each time.

 

 

[dries109]

Some nice hills in the area if you go out with Lynnwood rd towards Donkerhoek , but on the other side of Lynnwood. A lot of farms and small holdings, great dirt roads with a lot of climbs if you zig zag through them.