Absa Cape Epic Prologue moves to Meerendal

Regrettable, but definitely the right call.

I think some money changed hands.

It's strange how they talk about meerendal's network of trails. . . It's more the tygerberg network of trails

fork, now all the dirt roadies are going to be back-brake-locking-and-sliding the sh!te out of our trails.

Take them up and down the Conters mast for good measure.

there go the tygerberg trails being smashed up again!!!!!!!

I think some money changed hands. It's strange how they talk about meerendal's network of trails. . . It's more the tygerberg network of trails

EXACTLY

The trails on Meerendal is quickly degrading. You can clearly see that not much time and effort is spent on the maintenance of the trails.

I use to ride them often, but lately I spend more time on the actual "Tygerberg" trails.

Rode Meerendal two weekends ago, and I was surprised to see the poor condition of the trails. Dorstberg climb is the worst, the vehicles taking the paragliders to the launching site at the top is wreaking havoc on it. 

The trails on Meerendal is quickly degrading. You can clearly see that not much time and effort is spent on the maintenance of the trails.

I use to ride them often, but lately I spend more time on the actual "Tygerberg" trails.

Rode Meerendal two weekends ago, and I was surprised to see the poor condition of the trails. Dorstberg climb is the worst, the vehicles taking the paragliders to the launching site at the top is wreaking havoc on it. 

In my opinion Meerendal is the least enjoyable of the whole Tygerberg Trail network. Hardly ever ride there. And it is super busy.

Damn - going to be a boring prologue.... same again.... and again..... and again....

Personally I would be happy to carry a pepper spray for a different route...

soon to be an 8 day lap race.......

soon to be an 8 day lap race.......

epic.....

I suppose the Argus cycle tour will also be re-routed away from UCT ?

I suppose the Argus cycle tour will also be re-routed away from UCT ?

Must say I think its a bad call from the Epic. The prologue is still a few weeks away. The route is mostly nowhere near the campus anyway. Bring in some security and away you go.  I was looking forward to the crash video from THE Single Track :-)

I think some money changed hands. It's strange how they talk about meerendal's network of trails. . . It's more the tygerberg network of trails

Last time I checked, Meerendal operates independently from TBMTBC with regards to management and maintenance of the trails. TBMTBC members have access to use the Meerendal trails (presumably the club had to pay an annual usage fee?). The last prologue was held primerily on Meerendal with Hoogekraal also being used and access via the quarry and 1 or 2 other neighbours who is not part of the TBMTBC network. Furthermore the new owners of Meerendal deals in Euros, so I doubt whether this was a consideration at all.

I like it that they identified the risk early and made the call now. As far as suitable venues go for a prologue, there are less than what we would like to think. It is probably a bit of a lazy decision as they can merely roll out the previous prologue route, but I prefer this than having to make the call to cancel the prologue 2 days before the start of the event. It is probably also the closest next best thing to CT. Riders would have booked accommodation etc. for registration and the prologue, and keeping it close to CT makes sense. Just as a matter of interest, what other prologue venue does the esteemed bikehub community think should have been used given that there is a month left to put everything into place?

Lots of Friday-litus today with very little constructive comments it seems.

But remember the finish and end is at UCT. So a lot of people and tv right there, and imagine now the protestors rock up.

I think good call, just tired of meerendal!

Must say I think its a bad call from the Epic. The prologue is still a few weeks away. The route is mostly nowhere near the campus anyway. Bring in some security and away you go.  I was looking forward to the crash video from THE Single Track :-)

I don't think its the trails that is the problem. It is the start/finish area with media and the worlds eyes on it. Imagine the chaos the protesters can cause with all the supporters, and all of it on live television...

I don't think its the trails that is the problem. It is the start/finish area with media and the worlds eyes on it. Imagine the chaos the protesters can cause with all the supporters, and all of it on live television...

Ya true enough. Meerendal just seems like a poor substitute. 

Must say I think its a bad call from the Epic. The prologue is still a few weeks away. The route is mostly nowhere near the campus anyway. Bring in some security and away you go.  I was looking forward to the crash video from THE Single Track :-)

more than enough spill at hoogies the last time I went to watch there ...... and then some riders who managed to ride the trail with real style

But remember the finish and end is at UCT. So a lot of people and tv right there, and imagine now the protestors rock up.

 

I think good call, just tired of meerendal!

At least you can now pedal in, do the prologue and pedal back home. 

I suppose the Argus cycle tour will also be re-routed away from UCT ?

Students know not to mess with roadies on roid rage  

At least you can now pedal in, do the prologue and pedal back home. 

That's true, a little bit of warm up and no need to pack bikes etc.. and on home turf!

Must say I think its a bad call from the Epic. The prologue is still a few weeks away. The route is mostly nowhere near the campus anyway. Bring in some security and away you go.  I was looking forward to the crash video from THE Single Track :-)

Chum, it starts and finishes on the UCT rugby fields and goes through the singletrack built on university grounds.

Chum, it starts and finishes on the UCT rugby fields and goes through the singletrack built on university grounds.

so much for cycling to and from the prologue which is also part of my daily commute 

In the end i think a good decision was made, il never underestimate the motives of these protesters! 

aaaanyway off to boringdal 

I think the move of the Prolouge is a poor decision and one that has implications for all of us that ride on Table Mountain. The Epic makes our local riding terrain NB for the SANParks and the City. It gives weight to the argument to open more tracks. It makes Cape Town a 'famous' MTB destination. It helps globally market the city with the iconic Table Mountain backdrop. It makes MTBing accessible to many new specators. It ensures that there is some leverage to maintain the tracks etc. It connects the Epic to Cape Town proper. I feel the move is not justified. Anyone know if the 2 Oceans has moved? FNB Varsity Cup hasn't moved has it? Importatly, will the Epic still ensure that 'the single' is maintained? To my mind, Meerendal seems to be cornering the benefits to the detriment of the broader community.

Disappointed.