Unsung Hero – hobby park for cyclists, Krugersdorp
Words: Andrew ‘Average Andy’ Steer. Photos Josh Joubert. Article from Ride Magazine December 2015.
The good folk from Hero Adventure have taken their experience to another venue – at the Hobby Park just off Robert Broom drive in Krugersdorp.
Hobby Park has long been used as a base for MTB races in the area, but that’s now been taken to a whole new level with an exciting array of trails on offer.
It’s still early days, but the variety of routes in this beautiful terrain (it backs onto the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden) along with its already numerous features leaves us confident that we’re in for another treat.
With five full trails and a kiddies’ option, it has much to offer. On a warm summer afternoon, we headed out there to do what we do best – be average on mountain-bike trails.
Green route – 12.5km
Despite being the longest of the routes, it’s also the easiest because of its friendly gradient Aimed at newcomers or those who enjoy riding simply for the pleasure of being outdoors, it is a pleasant little dirt flirt.
It can get a tad mundane at times, with the terrain fairly open and flat (just 140m climbing over the 12 5km), but there are dozens of berms, so it’s a great spot to practise and perfect a particular riding skill Made up mainly of jeep and singletrack (sans lung-busting climbs), it’s fun and friendly, and an easy way to collect some mileage
Blue route – 6.5km
The only trail to the east of the clubhouse, the Blue is packed full of features that make the 6.5km seem a lot longer than they really are.
You’ll wind along through a bunch of simple switchbacks leading you to a climb up a small koppie, taking in some views back over Robert Broom and the surrounding ridges Then enjoy some beautiful singletrack up top before a fast, rocky descent takes you back down for some more switchbacks – all bermed, of course.
Some nice little forest sections and a floating bridge finish things off before you head back past the clubhouse and on to the other trails.
Purple route – 5.5km
Accessed from the north-west corner of the Yellow route, you’ll burn a few calories just getting to the start of it. It’s aimed at those who want extra mileage and includes the remote western part of the park, offering solid climbs with the accompanying downhills (We did find the markings to the western side of the park a little confusing at times, so keep your eyes peeled).
Yellow route – 7km
The Yellow trail is where things start to get serious, and it happens pretty fast Before you know it, you’re dropping gears and spinning up a storm as you negotiate some looser rocks on some intense inclines that get you to the northern end of the park The natural terrain is beautiful and distracts you from your impressive heart-rate readings A lot of it is jeep track, but the rough stuff is a sizeable challenge in itself.
Taking you around the northern perimeter of the park, it’s the access route to the starts of the Red and the Purple trails If you stay on the path, it drops you back via a fast descent in towards the end of the Green route, which you can then ride back to base.
Red route – 7.5km
Probably our favourite in the park, the Red route is accessed via the Yellow one As the signs will remind you repeatedly, it’s a tough technical trail.
From the high starting point, you will do more downhill than up, but don’t be fooled – there is still plenty of climbing to be done The downhills are fast and furious, although if ridden at slower speeds, they’re probably not bad – there are some huge ruts and tight switchback corners that don’t leave much room for error.
In natural terrain, with sharp slate rocks scattered all over the place, it does feel like a red route – but if you let her curves seduce you, it’s a beautiful piece that gets the pulse racing while not requiring guru-like bike skills or the latest and greatest dual-suspension technology.
It’s a hard workout, but that smile will still be on your face when you get back to the clubhouse.
Kiddies’trail
A trail with a bit of everything for the youngsters – It’s perfect for building up some two-wheeled confidence.
About the venue
Hero Adventure – Hobby Park: Tel: 083 384 2976 // www.hero-adventure.co.za
Email: info@hero-adventure.com, member@hero-adventure.com, events@hero-adventure.com Twitter: @HeroAdventure1 // Facebook: Hero Adventure-Hobby Park
Hero clubhouse
Ice-cold Coke, a nice selection of eats, and plenty of seating space, plus ablutions – it’s not spectacular, but it certainly does the job for a post-ride catch-up If you’re looking for something a little fancier, there are plenty of eating spots in close proximity.
Work in progress
The park hasn’t even been open for six months yet, and while already littered with fun features, there is still a whole lot more in the pipeline. On our visit, there must have been at least 20 berms under construction, so enjoy it now, but also expect a dozen more reasons for future visits.
Weather
Apart from a few forest sections, the majority of the routes are exposed; make sure you are amply hydrated and apply regular doses of sunblock – especially if you’re planning to tackle the tougher sections of the park.
Riding rates
R40 for a single entry
Facilities
Secure parking, toilets, cafe
Other activities
Trail running
Obstacle course
4×4
Paintball
Airsoft
War games
Trail Overview
Five different trails – each with its own personality. The 39km total riding area right in the heart of Krugersdorp is a great bonus for mountains biking on the West rand.
From the Green to the Red, there’s a nice mix of terrain and obstacles that makes it ideal for a family day out, while still providing solid training for more hardcore riders. The ground was a bit dusty as we were still awaiting the first proper summer rains, but the bush and striking natural features of the area really left an impression.
The guys from Hero work hard at constantly upgrading the rider’s experience, and the layout is already remarkable, so we look forward to seeing how far it can go.
Directions:
From Johannesburg
From N1 (western bypass of Joburg), take the 14th Ave off-ramp and turn onto Hendrik Potgieter Rd (M47), travelling in a north¬westerly direction towards Krugersdorp.
After passing Hillfox Power Centre, turn left into Jim Fouche Rd (M86) and proceed over Constantia Ridge Turn right into Christiaan de Wet Rd and immediately first left into Wilgeroord Rd (M86). Continue along Wilgerooid. which will become Robert Broom Drive.
The entrance to Hero at Hobby Park is on the right-hand side just after the Noordheuwel Shopping Centre, opposite KFC and the Total petrol station.
From Pretoria
Take the R28 to Krugersdorp Continue straight across Hendrik Potgieter at the traffic lights and go up the pass over the ridge Take the off-ramp for Robert Broom Drive.
This will loop back, so you will be turning right (east) onto Robert Broom Continue for 2.5km. Hero at Hobby Park will be on your left-hand side, opposite KFC and the Total petrol station.
GPS Co-ordinates:
26° 05’17.54″ S. 27°49’9.23″ E
Address
Robert Broom Street and Lud Hersch Road, Noordheuwel, Krugersdorp. 1742
Green Route
12.5km
Elevation gain: 140m
Difficulty: Easy/moderate
Info: A fun family trail for everyone
Blue Route
6.5km
Elevation gain: 120m
Difficulty: Moderate
Info: A route with lots of surprises
Yellow Route
Elevation gain: 165m
Difficulty: Moderate/difficult
Info: An endurance test with some long, towering climbs
Purple Route
5.5km
Elevation gain: 80m
Difficulty: Moderate
Info: Hair-raising descents, with a climb or two for good measure.
Red Route
7.5km
Elevation gain: 140m
Difficulty: Difficult
Info: Not for the fainthearted -technical and challenging.
|
Subscribe to Ride MagazineIf you enjoy reading about cycling programmes and race reports, why not subscribe to this riveting magazine? Give a Gift Subscription to a FriendLooking for a gift for someone interested in biking? Let them receive a copy of this great magazine from you every month. See what’s in the latest exciting issue of Ride Magazine |