Wrapping up our trip to KZN, the Trail Daze crew headed for Karkloof – an amazing trail network with immense flow and maximum fun factor, sculpted by master trail builder Hylton Turvey.
A short drive North from Howick, my usual base when visiting KZN, you find yourself in the centre of a 60km odd trail network, with a big variety of trails to choose from. Rene’s Rumble, Jewitt’s Jive and Bat Outta Hell, to name a few, will all leave you with that silly grin on your face and the feeling that you could also one day maybe definitely race as a pro. Such is the speed and flow of these trails.
As to be expected, a trail network over such a vast area will feature a wide array of terrain. From the tight, loamy forests of Rene’s Rumble, to the exposed, golden grasslands of Bat Outta Hell, there is something for everyone. And with a total descend of around 1275 meters, you’ll find yourself going back up for one more lap, more often than you’d think.
Bikes washed, and ready to leave cassa Millar en route to Karkloof.
With scenery like this, the 15km drive from Howick flies by, and you almost wish it was further away.
Kath Fourie
Tim Bentley
Countless bobsled-like berms, super grippy loam and endless flow.
While the rocky sections of these trail are short and not too burly, its enough to keep you on your toes, and will catch you out if you to don’t respect them.
Mark Millar
Perfect late afternoon golden light. #lightbro
Heading down the last stretch of Rene’s Rumble, we had to be quick as the light was fading fast and we still had to make it to the top of Bat Outta Hell for the last rays of the day.
*Special permission was granted for this story to bring our vehicle on to Sappi land. This is not the status quo, private vehicles are not allowed on Sappi land. The access road up to Bat Outta Hell will be open to riders shortly, please visit the Karkloof MTB Club Facebook page for up dates on trail closures and openings.
Surreal golden fields, literally as far as the eye can see, waited for us at the trail head. With the sun seemingly setting down below in the forest, the exposed elevation rendered the perfect golden hour setting for us to wrap up the day.
Black-jacks doing their thing.
3 tiny riders in a sea of rolling hills and golden light to end off an epic weekend of riding.
Kath Fourie
Tim embracing his inner phone-tographer and paying tribute to man’s finest invention as the last rays disappear.
Thanks for awesome times Karkloof. Now let’s get some pizza.
GPS: 29°22’58.1″S 30°15’49.7″E
Permit: R40 at the
All images by Ewald Sadie
instagram:
This project is made possible by:
Riders : Kath Fourie | Mark Millar | Tim Bentley
Stay tuned to Bike Hub for more Trail Daze coming soon…
Awesome pictures. Have to get out there one day.
Question: When does it stop being loam? I always thought loam is this magical soil that one can only enjoy for a short stint on fresh cut trails, but eventually it's down to dirt (not sure that makes sense). Or is it just mtb nomenclature like "Enduro" and "Climbs like a XC bike but descends like a DH sled" or "it's the USD-ZAR's fault"?