JOHANNESBURG MOUNTAIN BICYCLE CLUB – Frequently Asked Questions:

WHERE IS JMBC BASED?               We do not have a base as such.  Unlike a running club that usually has fixed runs from a base, we ride all over the place and thus a base is not necessary.  Our ‘base’ is wherever we happen to be riding from that day!

WHERE DO THE RIDES TAKE PLACE?               As the Johannesburg MTB Club we try to have rides spread all around Johannesburg and environs. We have a ‘library’ of rides that we rotate through, of different lengths, difficulty and technicality – and the location of these rides vary : Lanseria, Muldersdrift, Hartebeespoort, Midrand, Dainfern, Broadacres, Irene, Edenvale, Heidelburg, Daleside, Brackenhurst, etc.  However, most rides currently are in the north of Jhb as this is where most offroad routes are available.  We do try to vary rides as much as possible and are always on the scout for new places and routes to ride - there is a hardcore group of club members who suss out new routes with a view to adding new club rides to our ride library.

HOW OFTEN DO RIDES TAKE PLACE:    most Sunday’s of the year

IS IT SAFE?    Well, you must accept that mountainbiking is a hazardous sport, and falls and accidents can and do happen.  Hence our insistence on a helmet – if you leave your helmet at home you will not be permitted to join the ride!  In terms of general security, we avoid very small groups of riders due to the risk, we usually strive for a minimum of 6 riders or more in any group.  If a member of the group gets a puncture or experiences mechanical problems, the group will stop and wait – no-one is left behind on their own unless it is a safe place to permit that.

ARE BEGINNER RIDERS WELCOME?   Yes, certainly.  Our only requirement is that you have a reasonable quality mountain bike (with gears, ie: no BMX or road bike or hybrid), a helmet, spare tubes and tyreliners and/or slime.   Sufficient water (either in a Camelback or bottles) is also a must.  We ask that beginners initially slot themselves into an easy ride (‘Domesticated’ ride usually) of short duration, and that you commence also in the slowest speed group within that ride - until you get a feel for your correct level.  It is very frustrating when beginners overestimate their abilities and do not follow the above advice – resulting in the faster and more technically proficient riders being held back on a ride.

DOES JMBC HAVE BIKES FOR HIRE?  Unfortunately not - you need your own bike & helmet.  Mountain bikes can be hired from Linden Cycles 011 782-7313         This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

HOW DO I LEARN AND DEVELOP SKILLS?    By riding!  Mountainbiking is definitely an activity where the more you ride, the better you get.  However, JMBC does hold skills clinics where experienced riders show you not only how to ride technical things, but also basic bike maintenance and repair so that when things do go wrong out on a ride you have some idea what to do.

DO I HAVE TO BE A JMBC MEMBER TO DO JMBC RIDES?   No, you are very welcome to join us as a visitor (R20 per person per ride visitors’ fee payable).  This is often a good way to start – it allows you to get a feel for JMBC and how we operate.  If you wish to join straight off we clearly have no objection.

ARE CHILDREN WELCOME?   Yes, but we do insist that kids are accompanied on a ride (and in the same speed group) by parents/guardians.  Again, they must be of sufficient age and fitness to be able to handle the distance on the day, and they must have a proper mountain bike.  We believe it is unfair to expect others to take responsibility for your child if they fall or something untoward happens.  Once we get to know the child, and depending on their fitness and skill level, we may relax this rule but initially it will apply.

WHERE DO I FIND RIDE DETAILS?  Visit www.jmbc.org.za – on the “calendar” page you will find details of upcoming rides for the month ahead

HOW/WHERE DO I JOIN JMBC?    Visit www.jmbc.org.za – on the “join/renew” page you will find an link to download an application form in Excel spreadsheet format.  Complete all the details, pay the amount due into the JMBC bank account (details are provided), and e-mail or fax the spreadsheet & payment proof to the contact specified.   If you apply for a licence, then the club will pass your details onto CGC for them to process and issue the licence.

DO I HAVE TO BELONG TO A CLUB TO ENTER MTB RACES?    :  currently no, but it is preferable.  At present you are able to buy temporary day licences for most races, but the number of temporary licences per individual per year may be restricted at some stage.  When you join a club you receive a licence number which is valid for the entire year and allows you to enter an unlimited number of races in that year.