Mojoman

These guys are in Krugersdump: https://cadenceworld.co.za/

What makes you think it was a rider or bike mechanic from that video? While your loss is unfortunate and I really hope you get it back, Im not sure how you can leave your bikes outside with no-one around and still expect them to be there later?

Lol...Ive ridden it a few times on low end hard tails over the years...suffered no damage other than to my ass....

Ja, maybe next year..I did the usual gun newbie thing and only did my handgun competency and naturally only bought a small pistol safe...🙂

Im literally about 5 minutes away from my local SAPS but it might as well be 5 hrs with these guys...

You are certainly right about guns not being for everyone...I feel that I am neither pro gun nor anti gun but unfortunately the country is crazy with crime, we have a school teacher heading up SAPS and one has to be realisitc, even if the cops were functional, they are still 5/10/15 minutes away and you are still on your own to deal with a situation.

I looked into these sort of things initially, the two reasons I didnt opt for something like this were cost (might as well buy a real gun) as well as the fact it looks like a gun but isnt a gun and if you go brandishing that around and the criminal has a real gun then you are pretty screwed. Maybe as a secondary weapon to help deter the Nyope Boys trying to steal your garden taps without killing them but otherwise its a no from me.

Which is why my dogs sleep inside and there are security gates on the hallway as well as the bedroom...8x Cameras with motion detection, app on the phone and my tablets and an alarm for early warning. The gun is always with me/on me and spare mags knocking about. I sort of regret not opting for a shotgun as well but one of my hallways is quite narrow so I decided against that for both operating space as well as what I imagine would be some pretty deafening noise.. I have a large canister of tear gas that can be sprayed down the hallway as well. My last robbery occured while I was at home (car was visible as well so they knew I was there)...around 1pm...Luckily it wasnt too hectic, just scavengers but it showed me that I needed to change things, arm up and realise that day or night, you being at home or not...these guys dont care and will take their chances...

Just get your training from DUST on YouTube....

Absolutely, its pretty easy to push someone off a bike from the side, especially if you are clipped in.

Situational awareness is crucial as well....As much as you can...I feel that I might be in a better position riding on my own then in a group where people are always chatting and mucking about and not really paying attention to whats going on around them. I think you get a bit of a false sense of security in a group as well... Im also in an area where I find endless snares so Im always keeping my eyes open when out and about...Pro tip here are bicycle cable cutters...makes easy work of snares. Normal pliers are crap. Anyway, its not a great way to live but I aint quitting riding either!

I ride with my gun all the time (almost 3 years now). I am always on my own and am always far away from people but these days there seems to be scavengers all over the place nicking farm gates, uprights, wire, anything they can find. Soon it may be my time to be liberated. The pistol is in a cheap but well retaining kydex holster with an Ulti clip on it...around the 4pm position. Works perfectly on my MTB shorts (baggys). My manky old Mr Price shirts that are not skin tight cover it up quite well. I wouldnt keep it in a bag though as you may need to chuck that down and bolt....I use the same setup when doing little trail runs or out for a days hike. I think having one of those camelbak bumbags also helps secure the gun as the belt goes over the holster area. The morons are welcome to the bike, its insured, I really dont care but unfortunately this is South Africa and you are likely to be shot anyway if you comply. Maybe more so if you are on your own out in the sticks with no-one else around. Im not there to kill people...Just protect myself. Its your own choice to ride with one or without.

Ja, they demolished Wickers (Tea Garden) just before we had the 2010 soccer world cup. Someone thought they were going to get rich with the gazillions of tourists that were to flock to SA and they had the bright idea of knocking it all down to rebuild something better...and they just never did! Its still a mess on the corner now! Pity as it was a nice property going down to the river. I think the owner was Keith when you had your wedding there? The last time I saw this property for sale it was going for something daft like 7 million or something around there. I would think twice about camping there though as the river area is a prime walking and entry zone for our local Nyope Boys on their foraging jaunts....😀

They are busy rebuilding Wimpy now, should be finished by mid/end April, and then we wait for the next truck accident...Always sit at the back of Wimpy.... There is also the Little Roadhouse just over the road and railway line from the Wimpy where you can sit down and eat. Burgers, pizzas, chips etc,

If you headed west from Magalies along the railway servitude to the main dirt road then you need to be aware that the Koesterfontein area is full of Zama Zamas now...Ive not had issues but I will no longer cycle out there as its pretty isolated and the cops in Magalies will never find you...Lots of old mine shafts out there...Used to be old mine gear, cocopans and stamps and all sorts back in the early days...Anyway... You could take the railway line and then about 3km out of Magalies on the right you will see a dirt road leading to Rietpoort, you can cross the tracks and the R509 tar road and you can take this dirt road all the way to Vlakdrift and then from there head down towards Naaupoort.. Or you could just cross the Koesterfontein dirt road and continue on with the railway line servitude which will also take you up to Vlakdrift, parallel to the R509...