FEEDBACK: 3 February 2018: Front face Table Mountain

25 Trailers pitched up today on a slightly chilly morning but the Main Group soon warmed up on the slog up Kloof Corner. 

We headed out to Oppelskop and instead of just running past it we went to the lookout for those who had never bagged that ‘peak’. 

The Main Group of 17 split naturally into 3 speed groups on the way back with Natalie leading the way, Allison in the middle and Liz sweeping. 

The Main Group did between 12.5km and 13.5km depending on whether they chose to go down at the Cable Car path or carry on to Kloof Corner stairs. They took around 3hrs.



The Relaxed Group of 8  led by Julian did a Signal Hill/Lions circuit  9.65km in 1h31.



A lovely uneventful run with no mishaps.


Allison

FEEDBACK: Saturday 27th January 2018 - Silvermine

The plan was to try a new take on an old favourite​ by starting at the reservoir car park instead of the main gate, with the ultimate intention of ending the morning with a swim to wash off the dust and sweat. However, the weather didn't play fair and we were almost blown off our feet on arrival at the gate at 6:45am. Liz braved the gusts to document the sky while the rest of us huddled in our cars.

(Incidentally, the poor SANparks man had to walk up Ou Kaapse Weg again. All of us coming from the Tokai side must have driven right past him. Let's make a point of looking out for him and giving him a lift next time!)

Once everybody had signed in, we broke into two groups, Main and Relaxed, knowing that the Main Group would break up once we reached the first hill. After a brief explanation of the route, we set off towards the first photo op at the old fire lookout overlooking Noordhoek. This was a first for the Trailers and much excitement was expressed and the obligatory photos taken. As the Main group (still together at this point) descended the knoppie, the Relaxeds climbed up and there was much checking that sufficient pictures had been taken of the view of Noordhoek beach through the gap in the peaks.

The next section of the run was to Noordhoek Peak where we climbed up into the thick mist and the cloud eclipsed the view of Hout Bay, frustrating our photographers. Judy managed to conduct the thick cover into remission for long enough to take a few snaps. The group was keen to move on quickly however, as the temperature at the top was quite icy.  Neil marvelled at the pool of fresh water in the basin of rock.

At the next fork in the path, the group was given the option to take the 'Danger: High Winds' route around the sea-side of Noordhoek Peak or the safer jeep track, and the split resulted in only Lorraine and Neil taking the low road. The daring-do group split into two however, the front runners led by Greg and swept by Geoff and the second group led by Theo and swept by Liz. Progress was fairly slow for the back runners, according to reports, but Neil and Lorraine reached the Blackburn Lookout long before either of the other two groups.

The last part of the first half of the planned figure-of-eight was a simple jeep track run as far as the reservoir path.

It was at the reservoir that Neil and Lorraine met up with the Relaxed group who were about to set off on the lower half of the 8. Relaxed watches read roughly 6.5kms and so the planned 2kms to the main gate and 2kms up the River Walk was deemed to be a fine. We deviated from the map slightly in taking the boardwalk around the dam before setting off up the jeep track again, this time looking for a path to the left. As we started running, we saw the both Greg's and Theo's parts of the Main group arrive at the reservoir, expecting them to catch up with us within a short time.

HOWEVER... It seems that Noordhoek Peak had taken the wind out of their sails, or maybe it was the psychology of running past the parked cars, or maybe it was pressing appointments, or whatever the reason, but the Main groups decided not to do the second half of the run as planned! (Faders!) Instead, they found a short loop which brought their total distance up to some 10kms and went home - except for Sam and Judy who were determined to have a swim and a picnic, and Felicity & Theo who had to wait for Neil, their chauffeur.

The newly named Fast Relaxeds (Neil and Lorraine) and the Regular Relaxeds enjoyed a fabulous sandy downhill single track (recognised by Lorraine as the Old Fisherman's path) all the way down to Ou Kaapse Weg. Thank goodness for Marge's phone-map, as we turned off a little early and needed to make a detour after a couple of hundred metres. Everybody agreed that the fast runnable trail was a really lovely new discovery for the Trailers.

The final leg of the morning was a tiring slog up the River Walk, which had never felt longer. It's interesting how different a section of trail that's usually covered at the beginning of the morning can feel at the end of a run!

The final distance for the Fast Relaxeds was 15.3kms, which took a total of 2h39 running time, but 3 hours overall.

More photos on facebook. Thank you, Liz.

FEEDBACK: Saturday 20 January 2018 - Lion's Head loop from Kloof Nek

Despite the southeaster howling around us and the tablecloth covering the mountain, Kloofnek parking was a calm oasis! It was actually quite hot!

Jayson led the fast group of three, hoping to find the correct route around Signal Hill, the medium group was led by the usual committee and the relaxed group were very organised with their route plotted and saved on Marge's phone.

We all started together up the hill and turned left up the Lion's Head route to take a small deviation from the usual path just for fun!  After climbing up and around we looked over signal hill and the city and took the path leading down to the Kramat. Here we came into contact with some of the wind, but it was welcome due to the heat!

The path round Signal Hill and back along to the base of Lion's Head was long and hot. Very different when it is at the start of the run! But it was good to have some runnable track. 

On the way back we took The Glen path to avoid the road and to get some shade for the last slog uphill.

A good 12.5km run for fast and medium groups; slightly less for the relaxed group. Hot with lots of uphill but a great run with stunning views all around.

See Facebook for photos

FEEDBACK Saturday 13 January 2018 : Newlands Forest

Lovely weather greeted a group of excited trailers on Saturday morning for our first official run of 2018.

Those who joined the Dripping Disa hunt the week before were looking forward to smaller hills and much less climbing than the preceding week. The weather was hot but the forest was cool and shady making for pleasant conditions on a lovely summer’s day.

As trailers were gathering around a large rock, our run organiser stepped up on his soap box for the customary gear check and route briefing.

The trailers split Geoff Nell leading a faster 2man&1woman group, the main group led by the usual committee and the relaxed group led by Marge van Vuuren. The groups followed a similar circuit around Newland Forest and surrounds.

When the briefing was over the faster group sped ahead and wasn’t seen again until the main group came across Geoff near Kings Block House. After pushing up to the Block House he decided to send the (now) 1man&1woman team on ahead and joined the main group for a more relaxed paced run.

Meanwhile the mediums ran comfortably along the lower jeep track and paths past the Newlands Reservoir joining the tar to Rhodes Memorial just below the SANParks offices. Here they had some friendly banter with some local mountain bikers also making their way up the hill.

On this stretch run organiser Theo was searching for a little used single track to minimise the tar. Unfortunately this path was not found and the main group headed up a familiar jeep track to the next level and onto the stairs heading for the turnstile below King’s Block House. (Where they found Geoff)

After the customary group photo over the city, the main group headed along the much loved contour path towards the base of Skeleton Gorge taking in some lovely wooded ravines, little streams and vistas of city.

At the picnic spot at the bottom of Newlands Ravine some runners opted for a shorter run and headed down to the fire base. (This was in part due to some forgetting-of-cellphone-in-car-stress experienced by one of our regulars…)

Whilst en route the main group encountered the relaxed group, who had taken a more direct line to King’s Block House. After a quick chat the mains were off again, heading to the boulders at the foot of the “Aloes”. This was our second big climb of the day and ensured some good cardio and high spirits.

Once on the other side of the Aloes the mains trotted along to the base off Skeleton Gorge. Here run organiser Theo was out voted 30 to 1 for a return over the Aloes and back to the boulders. The mains headed into Kirstenbocsh and managed to smoothly find their way to the “Paradise Ruins” due to the collective experience of the committee.

At the ruins there was the usual flash history lesson after which the group continued back to the Newlands Fire Base.

The relaxed group’s adventure took them to the boulders at the foot of the Aloes from where they explored the forest down towards the Paradise ruins. Then, due to concerns about time, the group decided to head directly for the fire base.

Once at the fire base there was the usual post run chatter and then it was off to the rest of a sweltering Saturday.

A great morning out with the amazing folks of Table Mountain Trailers.

A special thanks to Liz for the photos. Please see the TMT Facebook page.

FEEDBACK: Saturday 16th December Final Run of the Year and Picnic Breakfast

For our last official run of the year, we did the Signal Hill loop from Mouille Point lighthouse in reverse. 

Everyone started out on the same route from the lighthouse and ran/walked up Glengariff Road. At the park we turned left, and after a bit of hill climbing eventually found the path that took us round to the noon day gun. Here we milled around trying to find a way out without going up the steep slope, but in the end we slid our way up the slope along the fence.

Some good free running took us around to the Kramat. Here the relaxed group took a right path in front of Lion's Head to join up with the west path round the mountain and found their way back to the top of Glengariff Road. The medium group broke into two groups and both went  to Kloof Nek road and round Lion's Head to give them extra distance. The two faster runners did the same at double the speed!

The end of the run took us round Green Point Park and back to the cars where we collected picnic stuff and found a good spot under one of the trees in the park to enjoy the camaraderie of the end of year picnic.

Please see Facebook for photos of the run and the picnic

FEEDBACK: Saturday 9 December 2017 : Sirkelsvlei - Shipwreck Route in Cape Point Nature Reserve

The predictions of a cold overcast, blustery morning meant that only a small group of trailers arrived to brave the elements. What a wonderful day for running! Those that didn't arrive really missed out.

We did the usual Olifantbos route in reverse starting up the stairs and coming back via the beach. The weather was cool and overcast - ideal running weather - and the wind wasn't too bad but was freshening by the time we got back.

There were two groups: a medium/fast led by Theo and Lorraine and the relaxed group led by Nora and Marge.

The flowers were out in force, the clouds were spectacularly gloomy and the running was good. Sirkelsvlei was absolutely dry. A first for all of us. An ostrich family pecked around the dry vlei bed and a lone bontebok was near the only bit of green. Where did all the terrapins go?

Down at the beach, the wind was behind us and sand whipped our legs if we stopped. The tide was coming in so our usual path over the rocks was out of reach and we slogged through the soft sand. The small whale carcass that the medium group found was almost back in the sea by the time the relaxed group went past.

Some brave souls were walking into the wind looking for shipwrecks as we neared home. At the Olifantsbos house we decided to take the road back to avoid getting wet on the rocks.

A short but scenic run in a pristine environment. Always enjoyable and worth the long drive and getting up really early!

Please visit our Facebook page for photographs

FEEDBACK: Cecilia Forest Saturday 2nd December

The faster group was managed by Gregg, the medium group by Gaeleen and committee and Nora looked after the relaxed group.

After a short briefing we split into 3 groups and all followed the cycle track that runs parallel to Rhodes Drive.

All groups then ran towards Constantia Neck, doubled back on the jeep track and headed onto the steps of Rooikat ravine, Cecilia waterfall etc.  

The fast and medium groups ran onto Skeleton gorge before returning and doing another loop in Cecilia forest.  The relaxed group return via Cecilia forest to the car park.

A good mix of jeep track, single track and plenty of stair climbing.

The fast and medium groups did about 12.5 km and the relaxed group about 8 km (Peter to confirm).

We saw all the markers for the UTCT, but were finished before the runners came through.

Please go to our Facebook page for photos

FEEDBACK: Constantia Greenbelts 25 Nov 2017

A beautiful day for running! The regulars were joined by some faces from the past for this run - a definite favourite.

All groups went up the Alphen greenbelt to the crossing into Cecilia Forest. From there various routes were taken to get to the Cecilia Forest parking/Top tap and home via the Diep River greenbelt.

Although the running isn't technical, it is uphill all the way to top tap! The mountain was looking beautiful and the route was shaded and cool.

We managed to squeak home before the Park Run started!

Please see Facebook page for photos

FEEDBACK: Saturday 18th November 2017 : Silvermine North

The mountain was covered in mist and the weather was gloomy and cool as the crowd waiting for the Silvermine gate to open got larger and more impatient. Eventually the gate marshall arrived having walked up Ou Kaapse Weg. We were all a bit sheepish as most of us had passed him at the bottom...

After everyone got through the gate queue, the 3 groups started out up the River Walk. Gregg led the fast group which eventually split into 2. Despite the weather, jackets were shed as we went up and along Steenberg ridge. The medium group also split as some elected to meet us at the Elephants Eye turn off.

It was turning out to be wonderful running weather. The medium group met up with the slower fast group on the way to the Elephant's Eye lookout and we all stopped for a group photo. Then it was on to the Hout Bay Lookout. 

The wind was cold at the Lookout so we didn't stop for long despite the great view. At the Amphitheatre turnoff, people with time constraints went down the zig zags to go home while the rest of us clambered up the ridge. 

Stunning views, gorgeous flowers and a great run

Please see Facebook page for photos

FEEDBACK Saturday 11 November 2017 - Valley of Red Gods, Maclears

The west side of town was under a thick sea mist as we trawled Theresa Avenue trying to find legal parking spaces.


A smallish group of 25 trailers gathered at the start. Paul arrived late and galloped up the hill to find that he and Katya were the only 2 in the fast group. They took off and we didn't see them again!

As we trudged slowly up Kasteelpoort, we popped out of the mist into beautiful weather, which just got better! 

What a stunning route. Trailers haven't explored this part of the mountain often and we marvelled at the Valley of the Red Gods - Lorraine researched the Rudyard Kipling poem containing the phrase - and the Valley of Isolation. Lots of climbing! Just before we reached Echo Valley, those with time constraints turned back picking up some of the Relaxed group on the way.

4 of the medium group went off ahead on their own journey and the rest of us went up the ladders to the top of Platteklip and then turned right to Maclear's Beacon - a first for some! After a small celebration and some food, we turned back and went along Echo Valley before retracing our steps home.

It was getting hot, but there was still enough flowing water on the mountain for refreshing drinks. A long morning out, but so worth it! 

On the way back we met up with 3 of the relaxed group who had gone to Echo Valley and back via the Dams. They were also enthusing about their route. A bunch of happy trailers

That part of the mountain is definitely worth exploring again.

Please see our Facebook page for photographs.