Spruit Road Crossing at Rustenburg Rd

[Dirtbreath]

Fellow cyclists. Having not been on the Spruit for a while I have noticed someone build concrete ramps to assist the less skilled crossing the road. Apart from this being illegal it is also dangerous as those still learning get a sense of bravado and want to fly across this section of road. The island is quite a challenge and has seen many kerbstones smashed. The South side is an obstacle course what with the everchanging gumpole fences and Virgin building works.

 

If you feel unconfident riding this intersection. Stop and carry your bike. It really doesnt knock points off your standing as a cycling. Bailing sng god forbid being hit by a speeding car on this fast section of road does however.

 

Build up these skills somewhere quiet.

[patches]

Well, I for one think the little concrete ramps are welcomed.

 

Yes, building them might not be legal, and yes, there will be idiots who think they can shave 10sec off their spruit ride by gunning straight across.

 

But on more than one occasion I have seen riders fall over at that crossing whilst trying to navigate the kerbs. Sometimes even falling into the road because they were unable to clip out of their pedals.

 

I do agree that the safest bet is to walk across if one is unsure, but the fact is that most riders might feel too 'hard core' to push their bikes (funny that these are the types that i have seen fall).

 

So until there is an overhead cyclist bridge/everyone has the skill to bunnyhop/sense to walk that section... I think the ramps will do more good than harm.

[Dirtbreath]

Well, I for one think the little concrete ramps are welcomed.

 

Yes, building them might not be legal, and yes, there will be idiots who think they can shave 10sec off their spruit ride by gunning straight across.

 

But on more than one occasion I have seen riders fall over at that crossing whilst trying to navigate the kerbs. Sometimes even falling into the road because they were unable to clip out of their pedals.

 

I do agree that the safest bet is to walk across if one is unsure, but the fact is that most riders might feel too 'hard core' to push their bikes (funny that these are the types that i have seen fall).

 

So until there is an overhead cyclist bridge/everyone has the skill to bunnyhop/sense to walk that section... I think the ramps will do more good than harm.

 

I partly agree with you. Ramps are good but I think at this particular section of road they create a false sense of security which detracts from the danger posed by cars coming both ways at high speed. Beginner rides are often unaware of traffic as they are guided by more senior riders in their group and follow blindly.

 

Maybe some assistance from Virgin to make this a safe crossing before something happens?

[patches]

I partly agree with you. Ramps are good but I think at this particular section of road they create a false sense of security which detracts from the danger posed by cars coming both ways at high speed. Beginner rides are often unaware of traffic as they are guided by more senior riders in their group and follow blindly.

 

Maybe some assistance from Virgin to make this a safe crossing before something happens?

 

I get the false sense of security view.

 

But surely 95% of these cyclists completed grade 1 and learnt to look left, right and left again?!

 

Point being that if they were pedestrians then they would never chance just running across the road. Being on a bicycle makes them a bigger target so why chance it then. If they do... they either skipped grade 1, or they're trying to imortalize their legacy in the darwin awards.

 

But yeah, maybe with the new gym going up, some sort of colaboration can take place.

[kingalton]

Daantjie Kat

[Dirtbreath]

 

 

I get the false sense of security view.

 

But surely 95% of these cyclists completed grade 1 and learnt to look left, right and left again?!

 

Point being that if they were pedestrians then they would never chance just running across the road. Being on a bicycle makes them a bigger target so why chance it then. If they do... they either skipped grade 1, or they're trying to imortalize their legacy in the darwin awards.

 

But yeah, maybe with the new gym going up, some sort of colaboration can take place.

 

Walk your bike like you've done since grade 1, yes. So many people actually do this.

 

There are the couple who test there skills here. Ride little ramp here, eish didnt see taxi pull out and robot up there turn green, ooh misjudged gsp, unclip, off bike, up and over this awkward kerb, cars flying from left now, shirt they've rearranged these gum poles again? Whew that was close.

 

Not trying to be anal but would hate something to happen here cos I've seen some close calls.

 

Tell you what. I'll take it upon myself to chat to the guys at Virgin snd see how they can help.

 

Maybe they can put in a bit of an effort like that guy closer to Delta with his little garden. Anyone stopped to check it out?

[Agteros]

Fellow cyclists. Having not been on the Spruit for a while I have noticed someone build concrete ramps to assist the less skilled crossing the road. Apart from this being illegal it is also dangerous as those still learning get a sense of bravado and want to fly across this section of road. The island is quite a challenge and has seen many kerbstones smashed. The South side is an obstacle course what with the everchanging gumpole fences and Virgin building works.

 

If you feel unconfident riding this intersection. Stop and carry your bike. It really doesnt knock points off your standing as a cycling. Bailing sng god forbid being hit by a speeding car on this fast section of road does however.

 

Build up these skills somewhere quiet.

You missed your calling Dirtbreath! Metro police needs eager 'cops'!

[Dirtbreath]

@Patches. U keen on setting up a little beginner obstacle course somewhere on the Spruit? Little kerbs, some steps to help newbies negotiate simple obstacles?

[Dirtbreath]

 

You missed your calling Dirtbreath! Metro police needs eager 'cops'!

 

Really just missing the gist of what you are saying here but cops and common sense dont fit in the same vocab for me.

 

Spent a lot of time going through red tape at joburg Parks and Jra with no joy.

[DR ◣◢]

@Patches. U keen on setting up a little beginner obstacle course somewhere on the Spruit? Little kerbs, some steps to help newbies negotiate simple obstacles?

 

There is something like that in Delta Park where we do the skill clinics with new riders.

 

However. There is nothing more dangerous than a newb that just learned to bunny hob a kerb. Ive seen guys hop themselves off their bikes over the bars.

Edited September 27, 2012 by S.I.R Maxxis

[Dirtbreath]

 

 

There is something like that in Delta Park where we do the skill clinics with new riders.

 

However. There is nothing more dangerous than a newb that just learned to bunny hob a kerb. Ive seen guys hop themselves off their bikes over the bars.

 

Or caught in clip/unclip limbo. Disaster.

 

Where is that? By the funny little garden? I'm thing of something that actually simulates a proper curb. Gives newbs a real sense of a road crossing.

 

Going to join one of your slow n unfit rides as soon as I can.

Edited September 27, 2012 by Dirtbreath

[DR ◣◢]

You are welcome.

 

Yes it is at that funny little garden. There are actual kerbs to practice on in quiet streets around the park.

 

The rocky bits in the garden make for excellent opportunity to practice balance and bike handling.

[V12man]

I think those ramps were put there by the Virgin contractor in an affort to help cyclists - and it does help roll your bike over the pavement at a run - I don't believe that road should be crossed on a bike - better to learn to dismount, run and remount - a good skill for mtb riders anyway.

 

Be nice if Virgin built a bridge for cyclist that was rideable.

[GhostRider2]

I think those ramps were put there by the Virgin contractor in an affort to help cyclists - and it does help roll your bike over the pavement at a run - I don't believe that road should be crossed on a bike - better to learn to dismount, run and remount - a good skill for mtb riders anyway.

 

Be nice if Virgin built a bridge for cyclist that was rideable.

 

More likely for the wheelbarrows than the bicycles.

[patches]

if it wasn't the contractor building the Virgin, then I suspect it may have been the same person who built a little concrete ramp up the kerb in the Fratelli's parking lot so that more riders can use that mini concrete plank bridge over the waste water ditch.