Balt

@ Maximum > Thanks for the info and tips -- I see what you mean at Ballyclare (I lived nearby for a couple weeks and was using that route to avoid traffic!) Regarding safety: I wasn't so much expecting to avoid being mugged by riding a cheap bike, but rather limit the loss in case it happens... Of course the best would be to avoid being mugged altogether, but I'm not sure how to do that. So is the most sketchy part just between Nicol and Ballyclare? What about North of Ballyclare? @ Fire Engine > Sorry, I'm not sure, which is the DHL building you mention?... @ BlackBikes > As suggested by Maximum, I probably should indeed join you on your commute some day! (I just need a bit of time to get a bike (duh) and do a couple of rides to get back in shape and be able to follow you!) How long does it normally take you from Melville (or from the beginning of Delta Park if you know) until Nicol? Thanks all again!! Really appreciated! Hopefully I'll soon give you my personal impressions of the ride!

Thanks guys! Some info is a little worrying, and some more encouraging ;-) but everything is definitely helpful! So it seems like the Nicol-Sunninghill section is the more sketchy part... (makes sense since there seems to be vry little park area there -- so less dog-walkers and casual bikers, I suppose) I guess I could go up the hill on Nicol and then back down on Ballyclare. That defeats the purpose a little bit, but it's better than getting mugged! BTW I guess I could find a way to never carry any valuable (I'm not sure what I'd do about my phone though) and have a cheap/unattractive bike. But for sure, I would have to try the route for myself (maybe with some friends) and see what it looks like... Fortunately working hours are quite flexible for me, so if that makes things better I could go a bit later in the morning and come back early enough in the afternoon (and do the rest of my work from home). What times are best you think? (I was thinking to do the trip up from 7-8am (-ish, or even a bit later) and come back from 4-5pm or something) @ BlackBikes > Good to know the commute has been good all the way up to Nicol! BTW, how is the riding on the road, usually? Not too scary? I have a feeling drivers are generally not too bike-friendly -- or at least not very bike-sensitive... Anyone out there using the stretch from Nicol to Sunninghill for commuting?? Thanks again to everyone for your insight!

Hello everyone! I'm from Belgium and I recently moved to Joburg for work. During my first few weeks here I got a little depressed when people told me I could only use a car to get anywhere, that things get pretty jammed at peak hours, and that safety is a permanent concern... Now I recently found and moved to a house in Craighall Park, and I just found out that the Braamfontein Spruit Trail (easily accessible from my house) apparently goes all the way up to Sunninghill... which is right where I work! :-) Unfortunately I don't have a bike yet to try it out... So, long story short: do you guys know if that trail can be used for daily commuting? Is it safe at any time of the day (I don't expect it to be safe after dusk) and any day of the week (or only on weekends when there is enough people)? If safety is a concern, do you know if some people commute in groups? And what's the trail's condition? Would you recommend a full suspension or would front shocks be enough? (i'm planning to buy a bike in the coming days -- a cheap second-hand one to begin with; BTW I'm looking on gumtree, should I look elsewhere?) And finally, how long do you think it would take an average rider to go from Delta Park all the way up to Sunninghill? (on googlemaps I calculate 13km, so i'm hoping it's doable in about 45min?...) Well, thanks a lot for your advice and any info you can share!! Cheers, Balthazar