Kayamandi - almost sweet home to my Scott Genius

[Lounge Lizard]

11.30 today - on my MTB - I had decided not to cut over the mountain from Bottelary to Stellenbosch (at the golf course), but rather to go down the R304 to Stellenbosch - and to risk passing Kayamandi. It was after all midday on Wednesday, it is the main road into town and tons of traffic on the route.

 

As I got next to kayam. two guys crossed the road over to my side. I could see from their body language that something was up. The one guy was scratching his face and not sure where to look while the other was giving me a look over. I quickly looked behind me to see if their was any traffic coming up on my side - noticed there was nothing in sight.

So, now almost on top of the guys I steered towards them. Just as I was a meter before the one, he jumped forward and hit me in the side. I am not sure if he was actually trying to hit me, push me or grab my camelback shoulder strap to pull me off. Anyway, having checked for traffic before hand, as soon as I saw his arm coming up, I accelerated and made a sharp swerve away from them into the road, which caught the guy off balance and limited the contact he made with me.

Two seconds later I was past them. I looked back and they were standing looking at me. By now the adrenaline kicked in. What to do ? Stop and phone the cops ? (how long before they arrive and was I safe hanging around ?)

So I just carried on as if nothing had happened (the adrenaline made the next 20km very easy going)

 

What must we do ? I took my mace/pepper spray into my hand when I saw the two guys coming up, but I was going into a strong South Easter - and realized it will probably do no good. As it turned out, it all happened so fast, I did not even consider the spray and while swerving I did not let go of the handle bars. If I had, his bump would have been sufficient to knock me clear of my bike.

 

The Pepper spray would have been useless - but what can we do ? Carry a gun ? Even if I had one, I would probably only been able to use it once I was off the bike - but then what - just shoot the F@#$%rs ?

 

Does this mean that we just can't use the big main road that goes into Stellenbosch ! ? How can we have the right to use a main road taken away from us !

 

I am so p!ssed off !!!! - and further, the option is to continue on Kromme Rhee road and then via Remhoogte which also passes a suspect low income housing section into Stellenbosch ! (only a matter of time before this hooliganism starts there as well.

 

 

Mad ! mad ! mad ! - aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!

 

ps.

Did you know - the name Kayamandi means "sweet home”, (alluding to the bitter irony that 65% of the population of 20 000 lives in hacks) - and it was almost home to my Scott.

 

Be careful out there !!

Edited March 16, 2011 by Lounge Lizard

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

Crikey.. Glad that you are OK! Good thing that you did raise here is this... ALWAYS be alert and aware of your surroundings... Good that you noticed no traffic, otherwise it could have ended VERY bady!! Lounge Lizzard, what can we do? We (cyclists) are like little moving targets for these thugs. In my opionion, avoid as much as possible, cause this problem is NOT going to go away.

Once again, sorry to hear about your incident, but thank God that you are OK

[Lounge Lizard]

Crikey.. Glad that you are OK! Good thing that you did raise here is this... ALWAYS be alert and aware of your surroundings... Good that you noticed no traffic, otherwise it could have ended VERY bady!! Lounge Lizzard, what can we do? We (cyclists) are like little moving targets for these thugs. In my opionion, avoid as much as possible, cause this problem is NOT going to go away.

Once again, sorry to hear about your incident, but thank God that you are OK

 

Thanks IFT-Force - heard of so many who got mugged there (and have a friend who lost an eye after being hit with a brick at the same place !) - but one always thinks it can't happen to you because you will be there at a sensible daylight time with traffic etc etc.

This one was too close !

thanks for the concern.

[mountain_lion]

Well done avoiding them!

 

There has already been a few "incidents" on the R44 adjacent to Cloetesville (your alternative route).

 

The advise offered by the cops is not to ride there or ride in groups...

 

Best of all is that the Kayamandi police station is right next to the traffic lights where many bike jacking have occurred.

 

Don't know what to do about this either.

[Lounge Lizard]

Well done avoiding them!

 

There has already been a few "incidents" on the R44 adjacent to Cloetesville (your alternative route).

 

The advise offered by the cops is not to ride there or ride in groups...

 

Best of all is that the Kayamandi police station is right next to the traffic lights where many bike jacking have occurred.

 

Don't know what to do about this either.

 

mmm.. can't recall noticing the cop shop - but that makes me feel even worse - It should be easy for them to just keep an eye on that 200m stretch

[Eddy Gordo]

I come from the cape flats where things are pretty tough. Through out my youth we learned how to counter such instances. This is why we have a violent society. When we used to ride bikes, we use to carry baseball bats, metal rods etc. I know what you are talking about with these 2 guys, came across that kinda situation enough times. I now carry a tazer as well as a retractable metal security baton. in the old days you should have seen the look on these guys faces when you pulled out a baton of soughts as you ride up to them. A buddy of mine had one with nails in it inspired by mad max. It is unfortunate, but this is part of south africa, it is a k@k mentallity, but what can we do as idividuals, we need thousands before we are heard and millions under the counter for action

[Musashi]

I live in the Tygerberg area and have been working in Cape Town for 8 years. With the traffic there is no way I can ride to work. Now I've been transferred to our Stellenbosch office and we have a shower. Great, I can finally cycle to work!

 

Last week Thursday they tried to bike-jack a guy on the tar road (R304) in front of Kayamandi. He was lucky - he ended up with a bullet in the leg but lived to tell the tale. Now this alternative road is also too dangerous. A friend of mine "lost" his R37,000 downhill bike to three guys in Jonkershoek after they hit him full force in the face with the steel rod (luckily he wore a full face helmet). Seriously, what is happening in Stellenbosch and why isn't the police doing anything about it?

 

And what can I do? Apparently in Gauteng every second cyclist carries a 9mm. I'm not willing to go that route as more likely the gun will be used on me. A tazer gun is good for one individual but not 3 or 4. And now they're carrying guns.

 

Looks like I'll stick to the motorbike for my commute...

 

Lounge Lizard, I'm glad you're ok and didn't give up your bike, but I share your sentiments and frustration! Luckily I still have Tygerberg MTB Club.

[Big J-WP]

This is so f-ing irritating, I ride past there atleast three times a week, OK mostly with a big bunch but still. what would happen if the two of them took me off the bike and I got up and kicked the living sh!t out of them. Would I be the one that would be in the most k@k or what. Wait there day will come where one of us pull a trigger on them and shoot they F-ing heads off.

[SL7]

What to do - we are so vulnerable on our bikes - at my wits end. Also had a couple of close calls on the Cape Flats.

[Eddy Gordo]

Like I said we will need thousands, someone suggested setting up a "sting if you will" during last week. This is a great idea, but who is gonna be the bait? a trap has to be set in order to catch these okes. If the police cant do it, then I am sure a large group of MTB's can make a citizens arrest. hmmmmm(wringing hands with an evil grin) now all we need is a citizens jail.

[vanniri]

I come from the cape flats where things are pretty tough. Through out my youth we learned how to counter such instances. This is why we have a violent society. When we used to ride bikes, we use to carry baseball bats, metal rods etc. I know what you are talking about with these 2 guys, came across that kinda situation enough times. I now carry a tazer as well as a retractable metal security baton. in the old days you should have seen the look on these guys faces when you pulled out a baton of soughts as you ride up to them. A buddy of mine had one with nails in it inspired by mad max. It is unfortunate, but this is part of south africa, it is a k@k mentallity, but what can we do as idividuals, we need thousands before we are heard and millions under the counter for action

 

Your post indicates just how sheltered a large part of South Africa was and still is to crime. It also shows the majority of people living in high crime areas are victims and not perpetrators.

 

Some 12 years ago an old man thanked me for cycling in a veld area they regularly used as pedestrains on the way home - apparently it became safer since more police where focussing on the area (to protect the rich?).

 

As a cyclist you should take every opportunity to be friendly to locals in areas you´re using. At the least this will ensure people are more likely to assist when something does go wrong or did go wrong.

 

Sharing experiences are also good since it promotes vigilance amongst cyclists.

Edited March 16, 2011 by vanniri

[Eddy Gordo]

Yes Indeed i am always friendly, When I see someone needing help I will go over to help, be it that they are being robbed or whatever. Not all cyclists are from plush neighbourhoods!!! which is what I was trying to say. I havent moved away from my roots, in fact I am next door. The only difference is that I am not exposed to gang violence, but I see the okes daily, as they pass through the area that i now live in. As far as sheltered is concerned, no part of the country is sheltered from crime, it is just certain areas are homes to gangs and drugs, other areas are there to feed the druggies, hence all the break ins, hijackings etc

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Just saw a single and double shot pepper ball/paint ball gun that I think I will get. I've never been knocked off my bike but just recently I had to intervene in a mugging outside my place and it would have come handy.

[Inusc]

skiet die Fo*&%*(k&s!

[RodTi]

mmm.. can't recall noticing the cop shop - but that makes me feel even worse - It should be easy for them to just keep an eye on that 200m stretch

 

 

LL - glad you're ok!

 

This is ridiculous. I'm going to try and place a few calls, and see what comes of it....

 

How old were the two? Did you get a look at them? Teens/20s/30s/older?

[Musashi]

Personally I don't think taking up weapons is the answer. We carry battons, they'll carry knives. We carry tazer guns/ pepper guns, they carry real guns. (Granted, they already carry real guns).

 

As vanniri said, most people are victims, not perpetrators. Isn't there a way we can work WITH the Kayamandi community and flush out the perpetrators? The locals have to know who the problem individuals are. Let's work with the police and search their places. Then again, they might be too scared to say anything.

 

I just don't see confrontation being the answer. But I am gatvol.