A short but very important notice regarding unauthorised riding on private property and farms was released by MTB Adventures after consultation with most of the major event organisers in the Western Cape. It’s an issue that Meurant Botha has brought up in his AmaRider Column too but it’s worth reiterating.
For example; on the Houwhoek Tour and W2W Routes the only trails which are open to the public are the Schapenberg, Grabouw, Oak Valley, Paul Cluver-Thandi and Hermanus Trails. The rest of the routes are strictly off limit for MTB, except during these events.
Unfortunately a small group of arrogant, selfish and stupid rogue mountain bikers trespass on private property, whenever and wherever they wish, resulting in angry land owners, tarnished relations between event organisers and owners and eventually trails been closed permanently. Therefore landowners, event organisers and route coordinators decided to act seriously against such rogue riders. It was decided that rogue riders will be prosecuted for trespassing and be banned for at least three years from all MTB Events in the Western Cape (incl. FNB Wines2Whales, ABSA Cape Epic, and MTB Events organised by MTB Adventures, Dirtopia and PPA).
This ruling also applies to rogue riders who cycle on public MTB Trails, without bike boards / no payment / no membership.
As a member of the larger and responsible MTB fraternity, please assist us by communicating and expressing your anti-rogue riding opinion and by notifying us of anyone involved in such bad practices. We have managed to create some of the best trails and relations with landowners, which are constantly undermined by a small group of arrogant riders. Assist us to kick them out of MTB and to grow this amazing sport with responsible and like-minded riders.
