HBay Cyclist

Hi, I will be visiting Robertson and Paarl next week for work, I want to do a few rides in the area while I am there. What suggestions do you have for awesome mtb trails in the area? Thanks!

Maybe a few bikes should be planted with small tracking devices in them (if something like this exists) to be able to figure out how deep the rabbit hole goes.... This could then potentially assist to at least provide a starting point in recovering stolen bikes. I am sure some insurance companies wouldn`t mind sponsoring a few bikes for the cause, seeing that they are probably paying out a lot of claims recently in Cape Town area. Just an idea.

Reading your posts about all of the climbs makes me worry even a bit more....but wow its going to be awesome! Can`t wait. Whats the plans for the last week? Total rest or a little bit of riding?

As Karin stated there is a whatsapp group for Klapperkop safety, the idea of the group was more to cleanup Klapperkop and not specifically for setting up group rides. Klapperkop however at the moment should be fine to ride, there are guards at the entrances and guard patrols. I rode over Klappies this morning just after 5 and I must say there were lots of cyclists and joggers thus felt quite safe. I think generally just don`t go off-road while its still dark.

The 2 guys sitting there on Saturday were guards as far as I know.

Wow, I am really glad you are okay, and truly sorry that you had to go through such an ordeal. All the best for your recovery going forward!

Hi Evolve, That gate was discussed at the meeting and something will probably be done to secure that area. There was discussions about adding barbedwire there. Heinrich will be able to confirm the final plans for that specific gate.

Thanks for the information. Do you maybe have details so that we can contact the guys to coordinate?

Thank you for all of you who are willing to join in such a ride. I think we should do a once a week ride and try to keep the surprise element by changing the time of day and also the day. Lets arrange the first ride for tomorrow afternoon at 16:30 or 16, this will give us enough time to work through Klapperkop. Everybody who wants to participate, please PM me your cell no and I will start a Klapperkop riding group on whatsapp. We can then use this platform to arrange all of the details.

I agree with you, the key is safety in numbers, if we come at them with 10 guys there is no way they are going to do anything. In terms of what we take for protection, I believe we must meet force with force.

This is my favourite cycling spot(Klapperkop) and training on this hill is awesome! Please indicate who will be willing to ride in a group and cycle through this area and clean it up before it gets out of hands! It was really safe the last couple of years, we just have to stop it right now! In essence we start sort of a community watch at Klappies.

Even though I didn`t know your friend I was very saddened when I heard the news, it was just to close to home for me with myself and friends cycling on that very piece of road almost every week. So I agree with what you said rather piss of some motorists and get home safe! The whole incident had me thinking last week, how can we get South Africa or Pretoria for that matter more commuter/cycling friendly? Do we start engaging with the government and asking for shoulders on all the roads? What can we do?

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions, I have a much clearer picture of what to do going forward and am really excited about it. Now I guess the legs will have to do the talking...

Thanks for the link, its really informative!

Hehe, I hope I am not already over the age limit of starting to seriously race but I am 26.