The facts are that the Spruit is by far the busiest MTB trail in SA - mostly because it runs right through the middle of some of Joburg's leafy suburbs and it's free. Besides us MTBers, this greenbelt is shared by runners, walkers, dog walkers, horse riders, commuters and the occasional idiot motorcyclist. That's a whole lot of people from the most varied cultures and backgrounds being brought together. no other trail has this. The reason why it hasn't descended into complete chaos is because, just like our roads, business, schools etc, it's a small minority in all aspects of life who believe they are superior. They are the idiots. You have to learn to deal with them. Unfortunately even on a weekend when you are participating in your favourite recreational sport. It's quite rare for the idiots to resort to physical violence, but just like on our roads, trail rage does happen. That's why the Spruit Rats favour flat shoes. It is easier to land on ones feet after being pushed or hit. And provides much better purchase for your footing when defending yourself. Besides that the Rats tend to steer clear of the well worn main pathways wherever possible, rather frolicking on the unidirectional small to medium sized jumps off the main trailway.
