Trails: Initially built just over 10 years ago, the Cycle Lab Bike Park has been refined to become a world-class urban bike park that’s focussed more on fun and flow than distance.

There’s a total of 12km of singletrack that’s been reshaped by the legendary South African trailbuilder, Hylton Turvey, to incorporate as much flow as possible in a relatively small area on either side of the N1 freeway adjacent to Main Road in Bryanston.

There are trails to suit all ages and levels of skill at the Cycle Lab Bike Park, right from two-year-olds on scooters up to 22-year-olds that seek to shred. And of course those that just like to escape the grind on a bike, in the sun and fresh air.

The trails are largely all smooth and manicured and exceptionally well maintained throughout the year. The trails also use IMBA grading and signage with mostly Green and Blue trails to be ridden.

There’s a huge focus on kids with three pump tracks, a skills track and a former BMX track offering loads of rolling momentum time for little ones. Kids parties at the Bike Park are very popular.

For the longer trails, there’s largely very moderate gradient, loads of berms and very wide singletrack, making the trails rideable for most mountain bikers, although beginners can find some of tight turns a challenge.

There are full-time skills instructors at the Cycle Lab Bike Park, who are internationally training and experienced at all levels of skills instruction, including teaching children and adults to ride from scratch.

There are hot showers at the park which makes a pre- or post-work ride an option (one-hour on twisty trails is a solid effort). There’s also bike hire, helmet hire, a bike wash and a restaurant that serves snacks, cold-drinks, beer and the best pizza in Joburg!

People: Photos of the team member responsible for each trail is mounted at the entrance gantry to each trail, which helps give recognition to the members as well as show riders who is responsible for that trail’s upkeep.

Local tip: The trails on the north side of the N1 are more challenging. If you’re an experienced rider, start there (via Spaghetti Junction) and do a few repeats before working your way back to the trails on the south side.

Safety: The Bike Park is fenced, with a security-manned entrance and car park as well as security guards inside the park, making it one of the safer places to ride in Gauteng.

Operating hours: Open every day except Christmas Day and Easter Friday.

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