URGENT ROUTE REVISION AT MT. EDGECOMBE

EMBA RED ROUTE REVISION AT Mt. EDGECOMBE – Emba revised route Mt. Edgecombe

MOST IMPORTANT: With effect from Saturday 27th September 2014 Heartbreak Hill (Red Route dirt road between Mt. Edgecombe and the bridge over the Ohlanga River at Blackburn Village) is a prohibited use road in terms of the EMBA agreement with Tongaat-Hulett, except for the two trail crossings per the attached map.

Due to safety concerns for MTBers, caused by the amount of development taking place alongside the Waste Dump at the top of Heartbreak Hill, the Red Route has been altered.

PLEASE DO NOT DEVIATE FROM THE REVISED ROUTE.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE, FOR A LIMITED TIME, HORSE RIDERS WILL SHARE USE OF THE INITIAL PORTION OF THE ROUTE. PLEASE STOP DEAD FOR ALL HORSES. (Skittish animals and angry riders).

The revised route takes riders east along Stables Road (the dirt road to the right after crossing north over the M41 bridge near Flanders Centre, Mt. Edgecombe).

Please be ultra-careful of heavy construction transport here.

Just before reaching the Stables, the revised route turns left downhill adjacent to the eastern flank of the stream. The turn is sign posted. The route meanders so please look well ahead to spot the signposted turns. The signs lead to the Heartbreak Hill crossing, just below the Quarry turnoff, via the pipeline servitude.

Please be careful of vehicles when crossing Heartbreak Hill.

The revised route continues to follow the stream. You descend on a combination of single-track and jeep track. Note: There is a well signposted changeover across the stream shortly after the Heartbreak Hill crossing. It is rideable for those able or an easy, short portage for those unable. (For failed attempts we are fortunate to have a skilled Maxilla-Facial surgeon amongst our licensed group).

The route, now on the stream’s western flank, descends to an intersection with the farm road just opposite Rosslyn Siding (the flat area to the dirt road’s right just before the right/left curves at the bottom of Heartbreak Hill).

Be careful of farm vehicles here.

Signage will direct you left across the stream’s cassioned rocks sided bridge and up a short, sharp farm road climb. A right turn sign will direct you onto a sugar-cane field contour path. Follow the contour-path trail without deviation. It will lead onto a wide, shaded single-track above Heartbreak Hill’s nadir and opposite the shanties of Blackburn Village. This shady section in days past was called Alli’s Alley. Following the trail, which finally curves left as the shade ends, will bring you onto a farm road. Turn left per the sign. (A right turn here is prohibited, as it will bring you onto Heartbreak Hill and a potentially unpleasant inter-action with water tankers).

Be careful of farm vehicles here.

The farm road, which will eventually rehabilitate into single-track, continues slightly uphill before descending and following the Ohlanga River’s western bank. Trail signage will bring you to an exit onto the farm road just above the Low Bridge near the Blackburn Farm Offices.
Be careful of farm and construction vehicles here.

DO NOT turn left on exiting the revised route as the road up towards the Sub-Station is an unauthorised route and now a usual part of Taxi Grand Prix practice.

You now have the option, after crossing the river, of progressing left at the junction towards the Long Hill climb or right past the farm offices along the River Road. Familiar parts of the regular EMBA Red Routes.
NOTE: Always in mountain biking, that which goes down must also go up. Be very aware using the revised route, as it is multi-directional. There will always be riders who are descending quite quickly and those who are ascending quite slowly.

The ASCENDING rider ALWAYS has right of way.

REMEMBER to always ride in groups of four or more especially as you will now be riding on trail hidden from normal passing view.

AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE THE REVISED ROUTE IS ALSO BEING MARKED WITH ARROWS AND DASHES OF RED FLUORESCENT PAINT TO HELP WITH DIRECTIONS

ACCESS TO THE REVISED ROUTE FROM GATEWAY

MTBers riding from Gateway over the N2 foot bridge will now cross over Heartbreak Hill onto the revised route when they exit Rosslyn Siding.
Please DO NOT turn right down or left up Heartbreak Hill on exiting Rosslyn Siding, as it is now an unauthorised use road in terms of the EMBA agreement with Tongaat-Hulett.

Be careful of farm and construction vehicles here.

ACCESS TO THE EMBA ROUTES FROM BELOW THE N2 BRIDGE

Access is as per usual a right turn across the Blackburn Village bridge. Progression up Heartbreak Hill is prohibited in terms of the EMBA agreement with Tongaat-Hulett.

Be careful of water tankers here.