Hi [NAME FALLBACK= There Holla Rider]

Short and sweet this week:

1. Be a Holla Trails trail inspector. more

2. Stedone Homes steps up. more

3. Coffees and chill zone. more

4. Out on the trails- revamps. more

5. Tread Skills clinic. more

6. Are all mtb’ers the same? more

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1. Be trails inspector please.

I have identified that one of our biggest challenges when managing more than 300 km’s of trails is to know where the problems are that need fixing. Therefore we need you to help us keep everything in tip top condition by telling us where the problems are so we can put them on our work list.

We have a comments and suggestions book at the front desk where we ask you to write down what we need to fix, clear or change on the trails.

You will notice the book is in triplicate so that Ben and I can get a copy each with one staying in the book. This will be a huge help for us and therefore your riding is going to be more fun.

2. Stedone Homes and our veranda area :

With Collisheen opening Orchid House, as a wedding and functions venue, we are developing our own space at the back of the building with the generous support and sponsorship of Stedone Homes. Stedone are about to start work on making a permanent permit sales desk as well as a space for Jessicas “3 Speed Café” and a roof to protect us from the elements.

Well done and a big thanks Stedone Homes – Holla Trails supporters from the first day and part of our success story.

3. Coffees and recharge zone:

Note that the Orchid house coffee bar and B&B is still open most of the time so you can still have a cappuccino, coke or beer. It is only when functions are being held that the area is unavailable to Holla Riders. Wayne is very kindly allowing us to use the garden area if there is no function on. So you take one of Jessica’s legendry bacon and egg rolls around the corner and chill in the sunny garden while sipping on a tasty Orchid House cappuccino, cool drink or beer.

If the coffee shop is closed, we now have a Lavazza coin operated coffee machine on the back veranda where we hang the bikes. Not quite as nice as the real thing but still an excellent tasty coffee cuppacino or hot chocolate and the caffeine kick works exactly the same. You will need exact coins as it does not give change. Oh, and add a nought to the price on the display as it does not have enough decimals to show the price properly. Cappuccinos are R12 not R1.20

We do have benches at the back so you can also relax there while your bike is being washed or connect with riders who are coming and going. The shade might be a bit cool at this time of year but I am sure it will be welcome once the things start warming up.

4. Work on the trails:

Ben is loving his new job. I chucked him in the deep end and looks like he is a good swimmer.

First off he has revamped a lot of the signs (still more to do) and he has been cleaning up sections of trail namely silver and now busy on Blue/Maroon along the Umhlali River where he is brushcutting.

He has also built a new small section of single track on silver to replace the old low lying bridge. I am so chuffed because even though he does not mtb yet - HE GETS IT! He clearly has an understanding of what makes a nice trail. (Obviously he has a good teacher too which helps. Ha ha.) Seeing the correct lines and laying the correct trail down is more complex than it looks but I can see Ben gets it and that bodes well for our mtb pleasures.

The entire crew area looking very motivated so if you like what they are doing, please let them know that we appreciate the pride they are taking in their work.

5. Tread Ladies Trail & Tea and Tread Skills Clinic:

The Tread Ladies Tea and Skills Clinics have become well know in the JHB area. Tread have now joined up with MiWay MTB to bring both to KZN.

Thanks to MiWay and Tread, the Ladies Trail and Tea on Friday 2 Sept is free. Each rider will receive a really nice gift from the sponsors as well as tea/coffee and scones and is a great day out for all levels of riders.

So what are you waiting for? (Did I mention it is free?) Book your spot

The skills clinic is highly recommended for riders of all abilities and is a great opportunity to learn good riding habits and unlearn bad ones.

I fancy myself as a fairly skilled rider but Sean has told me that this skills 101 clinic will definitely improve my riding and is compulsory in order to do the advanced course which will be at Holla later in the year. I have tried chasing Sean through the purple single track and I clearly have more room for improvement. Date: Sat 3 Sept.

More info and bookings here.

6. Talking point:

At the risk of sounding like I might be overdoing the Tread Magazine thing, I am putting up the editors column from the latest copy of Tread magazine on the Holla Trails Riders Facebook site.

I have always loved the ethos of mtb and the kind of people and attitude it attracts. Sean wrote a thought provoking piece on “roadie mtb’ers” which I though might stimulate some good discussions and might remind the purist mtb’ers amongst us of what drew us to the sport. Click the facebook link in the right hand column above.

Comments and suggestions:

We really need more than just comments and suggestions. We actually need you to tell us when you have found problems on the trails so that we can attend to them.

We have a comments and suggestions book at the front desk where we ask you to write down what we need to fix, clear or change on the trails.

You will notice the book is in triplicate so that Ben and I can get a copy each with one staying in the book.

This will really help us know where we need to go to fix problems.

Drop us a mail here

UPCOMING EVENTS AT HOLLA

Friday 2 Sept 2011: Tread MiWay Ladies Trail and Tea

Saturday 3 Sept 2011: Tread MiWay 101 Skills clinic (08h00 to 12h00)

Saturday 3 Sept 2011: Tread MiWay confidence clinic (14h00 to 16h00)

Click here for all Upcoming Events at Holla

TRAILS OPERATING HOURS

For Permit Sales:

Winter hours Tuesday to Sunday 06h15 to 16h30