Interview: TokaiMTB’s Mark Smith on managing SA’s most-visited Trail Center
Managing the mountain bike trails at Tokai is a bold undertaking...
For one, it attracts a lot of riders – our research points to it being the most-visited Trail Center in the country. Another reason being the area never closes for maintenance – it is open seven days a week, the entire year. The land is part of Table Mountain National Park and falls under control of the government entity, SANParks. Lastly, in terms of biodiversity, the area is unusually rich, making it a significant conservation area for the City. These and other factors create a complicated cocktail that requires a delicate and intelligent approach to management of the trails. One man at the forefront of the advocacy for the riders in Tokai, is Mark Smith. We recently caught up with him to find out about some of those challenges and what the future holds for the riders.
Where are you from and where do you live?
Mark: I was born just outside of Liverpool (top of the league, yay!) way too long ago now and have lived in Capetown for the last thirty-five years, I currently live in Lakeside just a few minutes from the trails.
How did you get into Trail Building?
Mark: Basically by accident. I started riding in Tokai in 2012 and, like a lot of people, I assumed the trails had always been there and just ‘happened’ with minimal intervention. The main driver for my riding at that point was to spend quality time with my son who really enjoyed mountain biking, especially in Tokai. Soon enough I was sneaking off to ride on my own four or so times a week in an attempt at improving enough to keep up with a ten year old. That never really happened… At some point I ran into Deon on the trails and the next thing I knew I was attending volunteer build days, eventually when Tokaimtb became a constituted group I was nominated to be part of the committee that oversaw the trails. Since then in 2018, when the committee size was increased and we had a lot of fresh ideas and impetus come in we changed the organization into an NPO and run the operation in a business like fashion.
Mountain bike riding in Tokai dates back to the early 90’s. It is one of the country’s first Trail Centers and is one of the most visited. As a riding destination or thoroughfare for endurance riders, why do you think it is so popular and successful?
Mark: It’s simply an iconic venue. Its enduring popularity and success come from a combination of factors. First, the diverse terrain in Tokai offers something for everyone, from beginners to experienced riders, with scenic routes, challenging climbs, and fun descents. The trail network is designed to cater to various skill levels, making it a perfect choice for casual riders and hardcore mountain bikers alike. Additionally, the location within Table Mountain National Park means that riders experience stunning views of Cape Town, the ocean, and the surrounding countryside, which add to the appeal. For endurance riders, Tokai offers a really nice ride up to the mast and Silvermine. Finally, Tokai has a strong sense of community.
Historically the land was a plantation, covered in trees. Now it is in the process of being restored to its original vegetation. What kind of challenges does this bring to trail maintenance?
Mark: The shift from plantation forestry to restoring Tokai’s indigenous vegetation has introduced unique challenges for trail maintenance. Without the dense canopy of pine and other trees, the trails are now exposed to more direct sunlight, wind, and rain. This exposure increases erosion, particularly on steeper sections, requiring more frequent repairs to prevent trail degradation and ensure rider safety. Additionally, the soil tends to dry out more quickly without the shade, which means dustier trails in summer and the need for constant upkeep to keep the trail surface stable.
The restoration also involves navigating through and around the new vegetation, which requires careful planning. Native plants are often more sensitive, and we need to ensure that trails don’t disrupt the young indigenous vegetation. This makes trail maintenance more labour-intensive as we work to align recreational use with conservation goals. We’re committed to finding sustainable solutions that respect the natural landscape while keeping the trails enjoyable for riders.
From a finance point of view, what are the annual costs of maintaining the trails and maximizing rider safety?
Mark: Maintaining the mountain biking trails and ensuring rider safety requires a significant annual investment. Trail upkeep costs can vary depending on factors such as weather impact, erosion control needs, and restoration work, but on average, maintaining these trails costs in the region of R650,000 each year. That is to maintain what we have without increasing the size of the trail network.
Where do the funds come from?
Mark: We have businesses that sponsor each trail and have some regular riders who chose to do the same too. This diverse funding structure allows us to invest in equipment, materials, and labour for regular trail maintenance, erosion control, safety improvements, and environmental restoration. It also helps us respond quickly to urgent needs, such as post-storm repairs, which are essential for keeping the trails safe and enjoyable for riders throughout the year. We also have a club, TokaiMTB that anyone can join and those fee’s go towards our annual costs.
How much money does SANParks put towards TokaiMTB for all the work you guys do?
Mark: Nothing.
You mean TokaiMTB gets no portion of the daily gate fee or the annual activity pass? Not a cent?
Mark: Correct. We rely solely on the funds that we can raise from Trail sponsors, Private donors and the TokaiMTB club membership.
On that note, how is the TokaiMTB balance sheet looking?
Mark: Well. We are battling to cover costs and have reduced trail maintenance days. The Trail Builders can’t work for free. As it is, it’s not a high paying job anyways. We’ve had to retrench one of the trail builders.
Tell us more about TokaiMTB – the who, what and how of it all. And how many days a week is the team at work?
Mark: TokaiMTB is a dedicated community-driven organization focused on building, maintaining, and preserving the mountain bike trails in the Tokai area. We’re a passionate team of volunteers, trail builders, and local riders who work together to provide a safe, sustainable, and enjoyable trail network for everyone. Our mission is to support the mountain biking community while respecting the natural environment, balancing recreational use with conservation goals.
Our work involves everything from building new trails to maintaining existing routes, addressing erosion issues, and ensuring that the trails meet the standards for safety and accessibility. The team also plays a vital role in liaising with sponsors, the local management, and conservation authorities to secure funding and align trail management with ecological restoration efforts.
As for our work schedule, our core team is active on the trails about two days a week on average. This varies based on the season and the specific needs of the trails, but generally, there’s always someone working to keep the trails in top condition. During the wet season, for example, we focus on drainage and erosion control, while summer sees us managing dust and wear on the trails. Ideally we would work a third day each week allowing us to spend more time on upgrades. It’s a year-round commitment to keep Tokai a premier destination for mountain biking. Over and above this we have regular safety patrols in the park on busy days to assist any rider that may need it and to keep an eye out for potential issues around crime..
Would you say the trails are designed more for endurance riders, or gravity orientated lap riding?
Mark: The trails are designed to cater to a wide range of riders, from endurance enthusiasts to gravity-focused riders. For endurance riders, there are longer routes to the mast and Silvermine that offer sustained climbs, linking multiple trail sections across varied terrain. These routes allow riders to push their stamina and cover substantial distances and ascents, with rewarding views and a variety of challenges along the way.
At the same time, Tokai is a popular destination for gravity-oriented riders. The network includes purpose-built downhill and flow trails, with features like jumps, berms, and rock gardens that appeal to those looking for adrenaline-fueled lap riding. By catering to both endurance and gravity-focused styles, Tokai provides a well-rounded experience for the entire mountain biking community. Whether you’re here to rack up the kilometers or to perfect your descent, Tokai has something for everyone.
What are the challenges with managing a mixed-use area like Tokai?
Mark: Managing a mixed-use area brings challenges, especially when balancing the needs of different user groups and protecting the local wildlife and natural environment. The area is shared by mountain bikers, walkers, runners, and nature enthusiasts, and creating harmony between these groups requires thoughtful planning, clear communication, and continuous upkeep. That said the MTB Trails in Tokai are dedicated for riding only and other user groups are not allowed on them, this allows riders to commit to the trail without the worry of T-boning a hiker or dog walker on a blind bend. Outside of the dedicated trail sections for mtb, shared jeep tracks require a little caution and mutual respect. Educational efforts play a big role here; we encourage all users to understand and respect the etiquette of yielding and sharing the space responsibly.
Wildlife is another important factor. With the restoration of indigenous vegetation, we’re seeing a gradual return of local species, and a lot of snakes in summer. This adds to the area’s natural appeal but also means we need to be mindful of minimizing disturbances. Riders, walkers, and runners are encouraged to stay on designated trails to reduce their environmental impact. This helps preserve the area for future generations and maintains the delicate balance between recreation and conservation.
Overall, creating cohesion in a mixed-use area like Tokai involves a community effort. Through open communication, clear guidelines, and mutual respect among all users, we’re able to foster a safe and enjoyable environment where everyone can appreciate the beauty and adventure Tokai has to offer.
Attracting so many riders, there’s obviously a fair amount of injuries. Although your primary role at TokaiMTB is trail building, to what extend do you get involved with medical emergencies and give us an idea of their severity and frequency.
Mark: While our primary focus at TokaiMTB is on trail building and maintenance, we inevitably get involved in managing emergencies on the trails. As trail builders, we’re often among the first on the scene, to provide initial assistance and coordinate with emergency services when needed. Our team is familiar with the layout and access points of the trail network, which allows us to guide or drive medical responders quickly to the injured rider, saving valuable time in critical situations.
In terms of severity and frequency, injuries on the trails can range from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious incidents, such as fractures or concussions. Given the nature of mountain biking, accidents are not uncommon. However, serious injuries, while they do happen, are relatively infrequent thanks to safety improvements on the trails, rider education, and protective gear.
The high volume of riders in Tokai does mean we see a fair number of incidents, especially on weekends and holidays when the trails are busiest. Our team, along with other trail users, follows a “community watch” approach, keeping an eye out for injured riders and assisting when possible. TokaiMTB also works closely with local medical services to ensure they are taken the quickest routes to reach various points on the trail network. Our goal is to make Tokai as safe as possible while still delivering the adventure that draws riders here in the first place. A recent addition to the safety patrol team is Wesley Lewin, a long time Tokai rider, who knows the area well and is a fantastic addition to the team. In addition we run regular vehicle safety patrols on busy days and we have a dedicated emergency number (0870 590 000) sponsored by Euphoria Telecom where we can be reached to assist at any time the park is open.
In terms of frequency things are currently relatively quiet but to give an idea since 2022 we have assisted in lifting injured riders out of the park and arranging medical help when needed, a total of 60 times. Outside of this we have also assisted 14 other users (hikers, runners etc), retrieved a lost dog and tracked down a couple of lost hikers. Accidents seem to have peaked and are lower in frequency these days compared with past years, for instance when the park first re-opened after the fire and again after lockdown it felt like people had forgotten how to ride for a while and we had our hands full ferrying people out of the park almost daily for a while. Another spike occurred when eMTBs suddenly arrived on the scene and new riders were getting out of their depth very quickly. But as I said things have calmed down a lot now.
One of the other aspects of our patrols is crime prevention with regular patrols in what were once crime hotspots in the past. Since the patrols have been in place crime in the area has been almost none existant and the one or two instances we have had since the patrols started in late 2016 have been resolved with the capture of the perpetrators in a joint effort between Tokaimtb, SANParks and local community crime watch groups. In most cases stolen goods were recovered and returned to their owners. We are currently busy tying up the final loose ends on a partnership with Volunteer Safety Services, a newly formed partnership between civil groups and park management that aims to provide more comprehensive safety measures in the park.
Are there any new trails in the pipeline?
Mark: We are looking at one or two projects. The first will be a re-introduction to the Mamba trail where we want to bring back the long lost Mamba’s Bite section which was last ridden in 2014 (this will be a slow and technical descent and black graded), meaning that Mamba can then offer green, blue and black difficulty levels. Outside of this we are looking at the possibility of using bits of unused jeep track to string together some climbing sections.
Does the recent harsh winters and lack of canopy vegetation, influence the way you build and maintain the trails?
Mark: Absolutely, the climate in Tokai—and the absence of a protective canopy—influences how we approach trail building and maintenance. Without the pine canopy that once covered the area, the trails are exposed to intense sun, wind, and heavy rains, each bringing unique challenges. During the dry summer months, the lack of shade can lead to dusty, loose trails, which affects traction and increases the need for regular maintenance to keep the trail surface stable. We often add features and use materials that are more resistant to wear, and conduct more frequent trail checks to prevent erosion caused by loose, dry soil. One issue we have to work around is we are not really allowed to bring material into the park so most of our work is completed using material we scavenge from side drainage and run-off.
Winter, however, is especially challenging. The rains over the last few years have been intense, and without tree cover, the trails are susceptible to water erosion. During this season, we focus heavily on drainage management—building water channels, installing culverts, creating trail features and creating outslopes to direct water off the trail. These measures help prevent pooling and minimize the damage heavy rainfall can cause. We also use erosion-resistant materials in vulnerable areas and reinforce steep sections to handle the increased water flow. If you want to know what the trails would look like without this work just take a look at the jeep tracks.
Managing Tokai’s trails year-round is a continuous balancing act with nature and balancing our funds. We’re always adapting our approach to meet the challenges of each season, and we’re committed to building trails that are both resilient and respectful of the natural environment. We are proud of the fact that the trails can be ridden all year round and do not have to close in inclement weather.
Out of all the trails, which is the one you are most proud of and why?
Mark: This is like asking me to pick my favourite child (actually that’s easy, they know…) Let’s settle for the ‘enjoy most’ and that would be pretty much any of the snake trails.
Any final thoughts?
Mark: I guess just in terms of fund raising – if everyone could spread the word that we are a community service that is not government funded. We estimate less than 10% of our regular users are members of TokaiMTB and if that were around 50% it would put is in a far better position. The annual membership is only R400 per year – it would make a significant improvement to our operation and sustainability. Trails don’t maintain themselves.
Where can anyone reading this go to donate to the Trail Building or join TokaiMTB?
Mark: tokaimtb.com – Thank you. //