14 Jan 2007

Northern Farm


The Northern Farm MTB Trail Head (Diepsloot Nature Reserve Johannesburg) is open for MTB riding every Saturday and Sunday and all Public Holidays Gate. Times: Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays from 06: 00 to 18:00.

Directions: From Pretoria, travel towards Krugersdorp on the N14 Krugersdorp - Pretoria Freeway. Turn off at the Diepsloot Turnoff (R511). At the first traffic lights, turn left and travel back under the N14 highway and then the 1st road left (R114) towards Muldersdrift. Travel on the R114 until you cross over the N14, past Diepsloot Café (+/- 5km) on the right. The main entrance to Northern Farm is on the right. Sign in at the security boom, show your entry ticket and continue straight to the parking area.
Entry tickets are purchased off site at the "Bunkhouse" of SA TRAILS. You can either purchase a "Single Entry" ticket at R12 for the day or you can purchase a discounted "Season Ticket" R120 for 20 entries @ R6 per ride. All tickets must be purchased before you enter Northern Farm. Only those riders that have a ticket will be given entry by the Northern Farm security.

Direction to SA TRAILS "Bunkhouse" for entry tickets: Instead of turning into Northern Farm, continue west on the R114 past the main gate for +/- 6km (over the Jukskei River). Turn right at the sign "SA Trails" Bunkhouse. This is a dirt road that leads up to the SA Trails "Bunkhouse".


That's the important information, now for the fun part.

It is really a super great venue, absolutely safe to take your children there if you were thinking of a family outing. But, at the same time it is also tough enough, that is, if you want it tough. There are some single track, but mostly dirt road. After a rainy spell, there is definitely enough mud to squelch and slip and slide (all fall over) your way through. There are river or water crossings, there are uphills and there is the roller coaster. The Roller coaster (Rodney's favourite) is up, down, up, down, loose sand, mud, down up, up and up until you reach the top with your heart rate beating in your ears and your breathing the sound of a steam loco.

Whether you go for a training ride or a leisurely outing, Northern Farms has it all. The dirt roads take you pass dams with bird life and hanging over water willow trees. Next to canals with spiny poplars, through tall Highveld grass from where you can see planes taking off and landing at Lanseria airport. Pack a day pack with picnic blanket and picnic next to any of the beautiful spots or ride hard and go back to the Bunkhouse for a cold beer and to share some stories with the other riders.

Are you still there? I hope not! By now, you should have packed the bike and the rest and be on your way. Enjoy the ride!

5 comments:

Francois said...

Hi Gerda, blog lyk beter en beter. Dankie vir info oor Northern Farm. Ons gaan die naweek soontoe - lyk na van die tipe terrein wat mens in Baberton kan verwag.

Gerda said...

Dankie Francois vir comment. Kyk bietjie na die baviaans en se wat jy dink. Ek wil graag spanne van Bulla inskryf. Julle sal dan teen daardie tyd meer ondervinding he

Francois said...

Was die naweek by Northern Farm. Kan dit aanbeveel, niks "tegnies" nie en vroegoggend is dit lieflik daar. Baie single track, een of twee rivierkruisings (as jy wil) en vir die res redelike gelyk pad, nie juis bulte om van te praat nie.

Fasiliteite is goed (volledige ablusiegeriewe en skoon) parkering is veilig en jy kan na die tyd jou fiets laat was vir R10.

Gerda said...

Hope to see you at the pre-baviaans braai to talk mountain biking. Het nie eers geweet hulle kan my fiets was nie.! wow!

Andre said...

Hi Gerda. Finaly had the time to log on. Your blog looks great I'm really impressed. Keep up the good work and I'll endeavour to log on more often.
Andre