62 replies to this topic Post Order

[cat-i]

whe i go to the bikepark, i usually cycle there (except on tuesday nights), never had an incident or felt unsafe.

[mens03bike]

.., i am new here.. i love biking a lot as much as i love the nature... all of the bikers should have a compassion towards the environment..

[Gasping]

Quote

.., i am new here.. i love biking a lot as much as i love the nature... all of the bikers should have a compassion towards the environment..

 

Welcome. Wrong thread to post this. We all love the environment except those that drop gel sachets.

 

How is this a danger area?

[rienzo]

A late post to this thread: 
Modderfontein Road is a great route East out of Jhb with a wide shoulder for some solid spinning. 
The problem is that running West to East before sunrise is dangerous because labourers riding their bicycles to work, ride on the shoulder in the opposite direction to the flow of traffic. 

Ride with a light on and keep your eyes open, it can be unnerving.

[Woody]

MTN Bike Park, no security lots of car theft, Attitude sucks.

[warumund]

Having recently moved from the america, I am wondering whether there are any precautions I should take while riding around the Randpark Ridge area on a mtb.  I haven't been here long, and haven't been on any rides here so I am a little ignorant in this area.  For the most part I'm really only going to be riding on the side of the street in the grass, dirt or sidewalk. 

In particular, should I worry about someone trying to hijack my bike or anything else of that nature?  And is it a good idea to carry some form of self defense? 

[TiBones]

yes, yes, yes and a flak jacket

[Andyr249]

And get a AC-130 Spectre for CAS!

[AdriFerrari]

Welcome to South Africa Warumund. Same rules everywhere in our beautiful country: stay clear of open fields, avoid late nights and early mornings on your own and ....cycle very fast so no one can catch you(joking). Dont cycle with expensive/"wanted" items.
Think at the moment your greatest threat are the cars... so wise up in that area too. Never assume they see you or will give you right of way... even if your on the shoulders, grass, sidewalk. I run on the sidewalks/grass in Randpark Ridge/Boskruin and can confirm cars as my biggest threat.

Nice places to for mtb in the area are: Northern Farms (Fourways, northernfarm.co.za), Teakplace (teaksports.co.za), Hennopsriver, Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, Kloofzight, Groenkloof (Pretoria, but nice technical rides with giraffe & zebra)...and many many more when you google it. Best you hook up with some mtb'ers and schedule joint rides/drives to the venues.

We have some of the prettiest and best mtb spots in the world.

[AdriFerrari]

oh and another one... most important one... make sure you are visible!
Reflectives, tail lights... all of it.

[Rob22]

I think the Bike park is fine, used it over the last year and never had an incident or know of anyone that has. Have fallen a few times!!!!

[warumund]

thanks for all of the advice. I'll keep a look out for a cheap AC-130 ebay!

[Doctor]

Time to take out a Helivac membership for you and your loved ones, Helivac has got a police officer from the Brackendowns police station patrolling the steps now on weekends between 7 and 11 as well as a paramedic that drives around on the routes during that time.Helivac will be rolling this out in the north within the next 4 to 6 weeks. Brilliant

[Mark Wildcat]

So we have bike jackings and all sorts of dodgy characters, reported and alerting the community is a great idea.
How other than riding in groups do we handle them though?
I reckon carrying mace or pepper spray is a good idea.
Also, have the "don't mess with me" look on your face.
Also, get self defence trained.
Anyone offering that is a good idea.
Plus, register your bikes on the National Bike Registry website.

I say if you want to stop it, nail the buggers.
If you are not willing to take the risk, then ride in bunches and make sure your bike is insured.
Terrible that we have to do this sh*t instead of riding free.....

[Mark Wildcat]

Also, the security on Northern Farm is now excellent by the way!!!

[Fairywings]

 Hi. Got this email today. They asked us to please spread the word.

Dear Members,

 The following is a notification on what is presently happening on the Cradle Route. It is presently not advisable to ride out there. We would like all our members receiving this message to pass it on to all your cycling  acquaintances.

 We would like to take this opportunity to thank Garth, a resident of the area, for the update. We will notify you of further developments, thanks.

 

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Hi

Not sure if you have all heard, but there has been a problem with an illegal land invasion in Kromdraai. Short story is the residents went to court and stopped the invasion (cost a lot of money) and the red ants moved in on Friday morning and then again yesterday and removed shacks.

The squatters did not take this lying down and started stoning cars , burning tires, blocking the road with stones and destroyed the circle and also dug up parts of the road.

Police were called in and there were some serious standoffs.

 I have just been to the kromdraai store and came across two cyclists and stopped to tell them that it was not a good idea to ride through here at the moment. They told me that they had been stopped by some squatters and that the message was that they cannot ride in the cycle lane as this was for them to walk and that the cyclists must pay them to go through the area. The cyclists said they had no money and were allowed to go.

Maybe someone should send the message out on the hub or where ever, that if cyclists are going to ride through here, they must ride with extreme caution.

 Regards Garth