Hi Guys, Like UnclePolli was saying, we were mugged at gunpoint this morning @ Emmarentia Dam (5:50). We approaching the South West corner of the park (Melville side - corner of Beyers and Judges Ave). they were well dressed (not a bergie). You would think "safety in numbers" but that doesn't apply if the robbers have fire arms. We were 4 people in the area, a woman walking her dog and us 3 cyclists. We turned around to try and pass them on the "river" side because the 3rd cyclist told my friend and I that they (the two guys) have a gun although they were still playing casual. They realised what we were trying to do so they when on attack-mode and cut us off. We tried to turn around (although we would be boxed in) and my friend surrendered because he was the closest to them and the one guy had cocked the gun and pointing it at us while running towards us. He handed over his garmin watch and phone and they requested his pin code for the phone while pointing the gun to his face. That gave me and the other cyclist time to get some distance between us and them but we were still boxed in that corner of the park. They then came for the two of us and I threw my bike over the fence (beyers Naude side) and jumped the fence before they could get too close. The other cyclist tried to escape via the upper trail along Marks Park but I doubt that he was successful cause the trail is slow along there. Bottom-line is the woman and my friend lost their stuff while being traumatised by having a gun pointed at their face. I was luck/stupid enough to get away. My friend is physically fine. We knew about the gunpoint incident last week since Uncle Polli sent me this thread over watsapp. We knew the risk and thought by not riding alone it would be okay. We have been riding the Spruit for years without direct encounters. I saw 2 muggings in the past 5 years when I was running on rainy days but those were the normal chancers. The guys with the gun is getting very cocky and the police said they will send a vehicle but were not even interested to know what the crooks look like I really enjoy the Spruit and will try and still use it at least on weekends but the Spruit users should make a plan. Uncle Polli said that they have a facebook group that organises group rides at Tygeberg CPT so I guess its best to start something similar for the Sruit, especially for rides during the week.
