Making tracks with off-road biking

The new xBike trail above the Kopano residence is a labour of love for members of the UCT Cycling Club. Built entirely by student volunteers, and using some of the excess soil left over from the development of the new Kopano soccer fields, the project has barely cost a cent.

It's called a "dual slalom track", which is a short, downhill course comprising of jumps and banked corners designed for two people racing head-to-head. When complete, the track will include smooth as well as rounded jumps, to accommodate cyclists of all skills on any type of off-road bike.

Enthusiasts Bryan Maas, David Gray, Jethro Berry and co-ordinator Graham van de Ruit (left) are hard at work on the project.

"The work so far has been manual labour using picks, shovels and spades," says Van de Ruit. "With any luck we'll be able to organise funding to hire a Bobcat or small digger for a day. That would really help us move bulky loads of soil for the main jumps. In the meantime, though, it's all spade work."