craig niner Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 We rounded the corner on the track above Rhodes memorial, and there > suddenly are 2 guys in the road. Somehow, instinctively, instantly we > both knew this is it, we are on, today is our turn. Rob who was > slightly ahead managed to pass them, the one guy running after him. I > was faced with a 6ft, fit young black African man, knife above his > head, at the ready. I stopped, got off the bike, very slowly, ensuring > every single movement indicated calm, reeked of calm. I looked down, > lowered my shoulders, submitting, saying nothing, standing very still. > He grabbed my arm, I noted the prison tattoos on his arm, I was aware > of that blade, he said 2 words, "Your wallet". ****, I knew I did not > have it on me, I knew my camel pack contained water, and nothing else. > You just know he wants something, and nothing, is not good.> I said, calmly, like I was talking to a friend, 'I have no wallet, > sorry, no money'. He said, 'cell phone', and, 'money, your money', I > want money'. I felt his nervousness, he was agitated my friend had got > away; he was agitated I said, 'no money'. His dull blade was now > being jabbed threateningly at my body, my neck, my face. He looked > directly at me, repeating 'I want money', and then 'I am dangerous, > give me money'. It's a negotiation and I had nothing of value to > offer. With relief, I remembered I had my blackberry in my pocket, He > saw it in my hand, and immediately I felt his relief, the satisfaction > from him. Then again 'money', 'I want money', I opened my pack and > saying, 'my friend I am sorry I have no money', gesturing for him to > witness the bags emptiness.> > > > I felt him instantly, believe me. Suddenly, urgently he changed tack, > he wanted my shoes, my socks, my jacket, I knew it was almost over, I > felt this was his way of closure. I was hoping the threatening knife > was going to remain just that, a threat above my head, a strong > negotiation tool.> > > > The moment hung and then he turned and ran, with his mate, down the hill. > > > > This would have taken no more than a minute or two. I was left in the > road, amazingly my bike still on the ground. My friend Rob, who had > stopped and waited a little down the hill, wisely not provoking the > shaky negotiation, his rape spray keeping the other guy at bay, now > pedaled hard as the 2 of them bore down on him. A dual suspension > Niner, with an adrenalin filled rider, fortunately, travels down hill, > faster than any man. He was safe.> > > > I immediately rode barefoot to Rhodes memorial and called the mountain > security. From that moment on the frustration shifted to the lack of > response, the utterly inadequate planning. I witnessing that between > table mountain security, and the police, there is just no reaction > plan, zipo response to a life threatening mugging.> > > > By the time TMS eventually took my description of the men, 20 minutes > later, I knew they were long gone. The police arrived 1 hour later > with no intention, inclination or resource to respond.> > > > This mugging, along with the many others raises the big question. Who > and how are we going to take back our heritage site mountain. And > what plan, response or intention does our city council have. We got > away lucky, the next mountain negotiation might not end that way.
Seeker911 Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Sorry to hear this ! sign of the times. Hearing things like this makes me want to start packing some serious self defense weaponary ....
akneethling Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Rondebosch Police Station had a team dedicated to mountain Duty. Maybe contact should be made with them. They have some good guys working that unit. And 1hour is just not good enough. It's quite possible that during winter the mountain is not really that busy, so they may have deployed the resources elsewhere.
Spat Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Really sorry to hear this, I have on many occasion been tempted to ride the trail alone, these days I only go If I know there is at least 2 of us riding, but your account above is scary even if its 2 of you, faced in that same situation you probably dont want to risk being stabbed for any material things. Very sad state of affairs. Makes you realise how big the mountain is, when you need help, often its a long way to anyone who can hear you.
Joe Low Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Interesting 1st post that reads like a short story, though I dont doubt that it happened. I wonder who/what/why it was written for first. Nice to see some writing talent on the Hub.
covie Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 We rounded the corner on the track above Rhodes memorial, and there > suddenly are 2 guys in the road. Somehow, instinctively, instantly we > both knew this is it, we are on, today is our turn. Rob who was > slightly ahead managed to pass them, the one guy running after him. I > was faced with a 6ft, fit young black African man, knife above his > head, at the ready. I stopped, got off the bike, very slowly, ensuring > every single movement indicated calm, reeked of calm. I looked down, > lowered my shoulders, submitting, saying nothing, standing very still. > He grabbed my arm, I noted the prison tattoos on his arm, I was aware > of that blade, he said 2 words, "Your wallet". ****, I knew I did not > have it on me, I knew my camel pack contained water, and nothing else. > You just know he wants something, and nothing, is not good.> I said, calmly, like I was talking to a friend, 'I have no wallet, > sorry, no money'. He said, 'cell phone', and, 'money, your money', I > want money'. I felt his nervousness, he was agitated my friend had got > away; he was agitated I said, 'no money'. His dull blade was now > being jabbed threateningly at my body, my neck, my face. He looked > directly at me, repeating 'I want money', and then 'I am dangerous, > give me money'. It's a negotiation and I had nothing of value to > offer. With relief, I remembered I had my blackberry in my pocket, He > saw it in my hand, and immediately I felt his relief, the satisfaction > from him. Then again 'money', 'I want money', I opened my pack and > saying, 'my friend I am sorry I have no money', gesturing for him to > witness the bags emptiness.> > > > I felt him instantly, believe me. Suddenly, urgently he changed tack, > he wanted my shoes, my socks, my jacket, I knew it was almost over, I > felt this was his way of closure. I was hoping the threatening knife > was going to remain just that, a threat above my head, a strong > negotiation tool.> > > > The moment hung and then he turned and ran, with his mate, down the hill. > > > > This would have taken no more than a minute or two. I was left in the > road, amazingly my bike still on the ground. My friend Rob, who had > stopped and waited a little down the hill, wisely not provoking the > shaky negotiation, his rape spray keeping the other guy at bay, now > pedaled hard as the 2 of them bore down on him. A dual suspension > Niner, with an adrenalin filled rider, fortunately, travels down hill, > faster than any man. He was safe.> > > > I immediately rode barefoot to Rhodes memorial and called the mountain > security. From that moment on the frustration shifted to the lack of > response, the utterly inadequate planning. I witnessing that between > table mountain security, and the police, there is just no reaction > plan, zipo response to a life threatening mugging.> > > > By the time TMS eventually took my description of the men, 20 minutes > later, I knew they were long gone. The police arrived 1 hour later > with no intention, inclination or resource to respond.> > > > This mugging, along with the many others raises the big question. Who > and how are we going to take back our heritage site mountain. And > what plan, response or intention does our city council have. We got > away lucky, the next mountain negotiation might not end that way. Last year i warned people to stay away from rhodes mem, its a hotspot and has been for years, everybody shot me down, and they have always been fine. blah blah, im sorry to hear about this but people heading alone in that mountain is looking for trouble.
Chubba Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 (edited) We rounded the corner on the track above Rhodes memorial..happy your in one piece dude, what time did this happen?, sorry ,just re-read the heading - 3.30pm. Edited June 17, 2011 by Chubba
craig niner Posted June 17, 2011 Author Posted June 17, 2011 i wrote the article to get press coverage around the issue. It appeared in the cape times this am.Other than that its a good way to get the image out ones mind.  I learned   never ride alonepack rape spray on your shoulder, a big oneboth have rape/pepper spray, or the whole team must have onebe alert and do not wait to find out if the 'dodgy' guy ahead is. Stop and asses together with the spary outDo not split upagain, be alertreherse an action plan with your riding buddies, ie stay together, if you meet a threat form a line of defense, pepper spray out.carry cash/money, it is a massive stress release for the attacker if it goes that farwrite emergency numbers on a card in your pocket. I had them in my phone. mmmmaybe even 1st aid if the worst happens
agentorenge Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 You see gents, what you have to realise is that we in SA are actually Fuc3d. The situation will never improve in our lifetimes if ever. You need to have a contingency plan. If you want to ride come and ride in Durbanville, we do have a few problems, but most of the problem area we are busy fencing. The rest of the area is private land which is monitored by farmers with guns and attitude. Make sure that you plan your future to live somewhere else, just in case. Always having a plan doesnt mean you have to excute it. There is so much sh!t around table mountain, rather ride elsewhere. If there are a few of you and one of you are packing, before you shoot somebody make sure that the shooter is alone with the attacker so once you have a body , none of your friends have to testify as a witness.Make also sure that the attacker has a bloody big weapon and make sure that you take loads of pics, we dont want the police to screw up the crime scene. There are very very few good smart cops left. The smart ones have all left and even if you find a good one he must be thick cause he is still there!
agentorenge Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 If you are mugged your phone will be taken. This means that the only way of getting help |(remember that you may have a few stab wounds and maybe a lung puncture) is if you can get to a phone or have a second phone on you. Riding with 2 or 3 of you is also not going to help because anyone accosting you with a gun will take all of your phones, nobody will be a hero and risk a mates life. Which means that you should have a tracker on your person which you can press and hope that somebody comes. Dont link it to anything to do with the police, you need to link it to something like tracker.I am going to investigate this option as it is the only way of effectively getting assistance in a situation like above.
Shebeen Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 I prefer a different approach - no money, and a ring ring phone. By handing out easy rewards, it only encourages more attempts.If they never get anything of value off cyclists, then why bother risking life attacking the dudes. that's my feeling, fortunately I live on the fun side of the mountain so only get checked out by baboons looking for gu sachets.
grb285 Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 i wrote the article to get press coverage around the issue. It appeared in the cape times this am.Other than that its a good way to get the image out ones mind.  I learned   never ride alonepack rape spray on your shoulder, a big oneboth have rape/pepper spray, or the whole team must have onebe alert and do not wait to find out if the 'dodgy' guy ahead is. Stop and asses together with the spary outDo not split upagain, be alertreherse an action plan with your riding buddies, ie stay together, if you meet a threat form a line of defense, pepper spray out.carry cash/money, it is a massive stress release for the attacker if it goes that farwrite emergency numbers on a card in your pocket. I had them in my phone. mmmmaybe even 1st aid if the worst happensCraig, thanks for taking the time to pen such a vivid description of your ordeal. I'm glad you ventured into the cerebral side of it too, since I think the loss of property is nothing compared to the emotional stress and trauma, which you clearly have a bit of. Nobody can say for sure what they'd do in such situations. I feel for your buddy who on one hand should have stayed with you, but on the other hand had so much fear and basic survival comes into play. Some good points. Always keep a R200 note in your riding shorts. I have one that stays in the one pocket. Agreed that it could save the day. Also, be careful of pepper spray. The wind can cause it to backfire on you. I ride those hills with one on my chest clip. Thankfully I've never had to use it. I've thought about switching it out for a tazer, but honestly I don't think this approach will work out. Give give the fools your bike. Mine's insured and I'll have a new bike within 2 days. You see gents, what you have to realise is that we in SA are actually Fuc3d. The situation will never improve in our lifetimes if ever. You need to have a contingency plan. If you want to ride come and ride in Durbanville, we do have a few problems, but most of the problem area we are busy fencing. The rest of the area is private land which is monitored by farmers with guns and attitude. Make sure that you plan your future to live somewhere else, just in case. Always having a plan doesnt mean you have to excute it. There is so much sh!t around table mountain, rather ride elsewhere. If there are a few of you and one of you are packing, before you shoot somebody make sure that the shooter is alone with the attacker so once you have a body , none of your friends have to testify as a witness.Make also sure that the attacker has a bloody big weapon and make sure that you take loads of pics, we dont want the police to screw up the crime scene. There are very very few good smart cops left. The smart ones have all left and even if you find a good one he must be thick cause he is still there!A bit dramatic don't you think mate? Should we ride with a shovel strapped to the back so we can bury any bodies as well? I don't take kindly to the idea of people riding around with their guns. Firstly, someone will get hurt, secondly, if they get the upper hand and steal the gun then what? Violence creates violence. Just give them your cash-phone-bike and get the hell out of there. I have a phone for riding that is old, has only emergency numbers and they can have it. There IS a lot of sh*t around TM and surrounds, but that's no reason not to ride there. It's OUR bloody hill and I'll not stay off it. These crime up at Rhodes are done by squatters living up in the Rasta cave (the big cave around the blockhouse area). I've reported this to the cops time and again. I've seen the crooks hanging up there scoping people on the trails. I've sat above this area on the way to Devil's Peak and seen it all. I blame this *** government for all of this though. We're just easy targets, on 40 bikes, with iPhones in our bags. Maybe when they create those 5 million jobs these guys will move into investment banking or engineering?
Joe Low Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 i wrote the article to get press coverage around the issue. It appeared in the cape times this am.Other than that its a good way to get the image out ones mind.  I learned[*]carry cash/money, it is a massive stress release for the attacker if it goes that far Really cool re: reasons for writing. This bit of advice looks crazy "take cash with you in case you get robbed"; but makes a lot of sense when you think about it.
gummibear Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 [*]write emergency numbers on a card in your pocket. I had them in my phone. mmm Save them in your phone under ICE (in case of emergency) I have a card in my spares with contact info,address and medical details.
Bloudraad Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Really sorry to hear about the mugging.Thank you for bringing it to my attention. A year ago, I regularly cycled alone on table mountain, starting and ending at Rhodes. Thankfully no incidents.Wont take that chance again. Its very sad that we have to let them win....Will only ride in larger groups, seems groups of 2 not a deterrent.
Iwan Kemp Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Two tracker options I've been looking into for bike riding. The small, cheaper one will work for Cycling. Chuck it in your wallet or Camelbak and give the guy the whole thing. Small Tracker  Bigger GPS Tracker  There is also some software available to load on your phone for mobile tracking and do wipe the memory. Will try to find the link.
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