Dear EMBA Rider

PLEASE DIARISE & NOTE the following dates

Wednesday 21 March – weekend times apply

Saturday 24 March – ALL SHONGWENI ROUTES CLOSED (Thomas Moore Big Walk)   Normally riding in Umhlanga area.

06-09 April (Easter weekend)  -  Weekend times apply

Friday 27 April – NO RIDING IN UMHLANGA- Tour Durban.  You may ride in the Shongweni area

Tuesday 01 May  -  weekend times apply.

I will be away from 12 April – 06 May.  Please contact Ian (ian@singletrackminded.co.za  or  073 153 0986) for any problems with tracks, clearing, mishaps etc.

All other problems- contact Glen   :   glenglen@law.co.za

Please start putting out the word-

FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER- ALL RIDING ON TH LAND IS CANCELLED

SATURDAY 17 DECEMBER - RIDERS MAY ONLY RIDE FROM 15H30

SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER- WEEKEND TIMES APPLY

Please make sure that no Temporary permits are issued on Friday, and if anyone wants to ride on Saturday the times must be stressed.

TH are under extreme pressure to get product to mills and, in terms of our agreement with them, they can cancel riding at any time that they feel the riders would impact on their farming practices.

VERY IMPORTANT- please note that the YELLOW route has been withdrawn.  This was not an approved route, and was only made for the Tour Durban.

Please do not use this

Hi Margie is it possible to send out an email regarding the following:

 I have entered the 3 day Berg and Bush and am now looking to change to the 2 day event. If anyone would like to swop could they please contact me.

 All the best

 Mike Bell

Tuesday 09 August is a public holiday- BUT normal weekday times apply

If you start your rides from Shongweni Polo Gournds NB NB NB  They have a massive horse show on at present.  You may still ride, but please DO NOT USE the parking area around the Club House, but use the lower fields as your access point.  There will be another horse show starting next Thursday, so the aforementioned  also applies!
The updated maps are now on the website.  Please note that in the Shongweni region, Horses are also entitled to ride, and have the same rules applicable to them!  The map shows routes specific to MTBers, those for horses, and those where you both shall meet!
PLEASE!!!!  be aware that horses are easily spooked, so exercise caution around them. When in doubt, give way.

Thursday 16 June  (Youth Day)  is a work day for Tongaat Hulett, therefore weekday times will apply

LADIES ROAD BIKE FOR SALE

Details are as follows:

· Specialized Ruby Expert Compact, 2009 (purchased end of 2010)

· Frame Size – 51cm

· Groupset, Shimano Ultegra, Compact (50/34)

· Wheelset, Shimano Ultegra

· Price: R15,000

For more details on the bike colour and specification, please see link: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=40602&menuItemId=0

With many thanks

Michelle   Tel:   0822236826

Due to the Mountain Bike Derby taking place on Saturday 28th May, starting at Shongweni Polo Grounds, and using TH land, ALL SHONGWENI MTB ROUTES WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE DAY.
You can still ride at Giba Gorge, or in the Umhlanga region.
Margie

1.   NEW COMMUNICATIONS.

Some exciting news, EMBA is about to become that much better, yes we are going live on Facebook.
 
We will be updating news, guided ride routes and have progress reports on all maintenance being done.  If you have a lost item, or want to sell a bike, please use this forum.  I will still put notices on the website, but this will be your best option. 
Notices will still be sent out by Group Mail, and the group mail notice will go up on the website as before.  Not everyone uses FaceBook!
 
This will also allow you the member to connect with other members, advertise ride buddies needed or rides that are going on and also let us know of any trail news, maintenance areas of concerns act.
 
HOW…..
 
You will need to have a Facebook Account, so if you do not, then sign up today it’s free!
 
Once on your account, go to the top of the page to the SEARCH bar and type in the following EMBA- EThekwini Mountain Bike Association.
 
This should bring the group page to your screen and you can join. Easy as that.
If you are still struggling, then just send us your e mail address and we will invite you to join the group.
 
We look forward to connecting with you all.
2.  GUIDED RIDES

a. Guided rides will now also take place on Sunday.  This will be on a trial basis and will only continue if the numbers justify the rides.  The Guides roster is on the website :   use this link  http://www.emba.org.za/guided-rides/

b.  Tongaat Hulett have very generously allowed us an additional Guided ride which will take place during the week.  This ride is basically aimed at the stay-at-home housewife or the retiree.  We will be running this on a trial basis and will be subject to the following:
i.  The rides will take place on a Thursday morning
ii.  The start/finish venue will be Shongweni Polo grounds
iii.  The start / finish time will be  08h30 to 10h30
iv.  Maximum number of riders permitted will be 30
v.  Riders who wish to participate MUST be EMBA riders
vi.  Riders must pre-book so that we do not overrun our limit.   Bookings to ian@singletrackminded.co.za
vii.  No other out-of-time rides will be considered, either in the Shongweni region or in the Umhlanga area
viii.  The rides will be fully staffed by the Guides, with a lead guide and a sweep guide, and the others in between.
ix.  No rider may use the route, or any other part of TH land during this time, other than as a part of this group ride
x.  In the event that TH are engaged in farming activities along the route, the ride for that day will be cancelled.  In that event, those who have booked will still meet at the Polo grounds, but the route will not be along TH property. AS you will have prebooked by email, Ian will advise you if this is to happen.
xi.  TH reserve the right to withdraw this concession at any time if, in their view, it is being abused, or if they determine that it is detrimentally affecting farming practices.