Table Mountain Hot Spot

[PRB001]

Robert, thanks so much. Was nervous to go out alone today but did after seeing your map and reading that you that you had been out. Saw the signs and, at least, I was aware of the real danger area.

 

Really appreciated your effort in getting the signs up.

 

Was very pleased to see other riders, walkers and runners still out and about.

[JCA12]

We can't let these guys win. If we stop riding then they will get more aggressive to those who continue. But if we expand our numbers and ride in groups they may think twice about attacking us.

[kandui]

I understand and share the concerns raised about safety on the mountain. We have to be realistic about our expectations from the authorities (and I am the last one who will protect them). The mountain is not fenced in with access control points. The fence at the top of Hospital Bend is either broken or , further along the road, old and easy to jump over or crawl under. Putting up a 2,5m fence with spikes on the top won't happen. There is no budget for it and the fence would need to close off somewhere, meaning about 100+km of fence. Never going to happen.

Opportunistic crime, and that's what this is, will not be eradicated. To at least ensure the crimes do not escalate into an organised type, we have to do the only thing we can do: Keep on riding, running and walking on Table Mountain.

Like I said yesterday, "Occupy Table Mountain". Fill the spaces with honest, well meaning people to squeeze out the scum.

Make it hard for them to hide anywhere.

 

The crimes on Table Mountain, including Monday's incident, happened in and close to the area shown on the map I attached. The rest of the mountain,I exclude the tar road, is fine. It's this little space which creates the problem.

 

I am printing more Table Mountain maps and will highlight the Hotspot area on the next batch.

 

I also ride on my own a lot, so I can't preach to you about riding in groups. If you are on your own and are hesitant to run the gauntlet, wait until you see other cyclists or runners on the trail and form a group or at least stay within sight and/ or earshot of each other.

 

What do you think of handing out whistles? When you get to the hotspot area, blow on your whistle to let the slime know you know they are there. More whistles in response mean more people around. Could be worth a try?

[Dogfish]

I recon whistles are worth a try! what makes this area in particular a hotspot?

[kandui]

I recon whistles are worth a try! what makes this area in particular a hotspot?

Quick escape route is the main reason and it's an easy location to get to.

The King's Blockhouse , for instance, is a dead end track, so escape with a bike is going to be tricky. Also, it's a longer escape in terms of distance.

Stealing a bike means less mobility,so the quicker they get to a tar road the better.

 

At the next PPA Executive meeting in 2 weeks time , I will propose funding for patrollers along that stretch for a limited period of time. Or at least a budget to be set aside to pay for such an initiative.

I wonder whether a permanent post down there might not make sense? Put a little Wendy House up for San Parks. Will think about that. Could be an Info Centre too.

[PRB001]

Quick escape route is the main reason and it's an easy location to get to.

The King's Blockhouse , for instance, is a dead end track, so escape with a bike is going to be tricky. Also, it's a longer escape in terms of distance.

Stealing a bike means less mobility,so the quicker they get to a tar road the better.

 

At the next PPA Executive meeting in 2 weeks time , I will propose funding for patrollers along that stretch for a limited period of time. Or at least a budget to be set aside to pay for such an initiative.

I wonder whether a permanent post down there might not make sense? Put a little Wendy House up for San Parks. Will think about that. Could be an Info Centre too.

 

I think that whistles are definitely worth a try. Will happily respond to let others know I am there.

 

Another suggestion is that a whistle could be used as a call for help with a response meaning 'help is on it's way'.

 

I really like the idea of a permanent post too. To be honest, would be quite happy to add R 100 or so to my PPA membership per annum to help fund this.

 

My wife wants to ride and there is no way that I can comfortably let her ride there with the knowledge of danger. Not sure that I am even comfortable her riding there with me at the moment. Extra security would be a big help. All for it!

[Dogfish]

A info center, ranger/Patroller post would be great. If San parks cant come to the party financing a permanent post/Wendy house, surely a few dedicated individuals could fund raise for the infrastructure required. San parks would still need to green light this. Sadly though if not manned will open itself up to vandalism.

[DJR]

What's wrong with one ranger, with a pair of binoculars and a two way radio sitting quietly at the Kings Blockhouse every day? He'll be able to see virtually the whole corner of the mountain including the hot spot. It should be simple enough to see if there are dodgy characters around and call in the cavalry. At the very least it will gain us some intelligence about where they come from and where they flee to.

[the racing bug]

im an active roadie, not a mountain biker at all, this is great to hear...thanks for the effort, great team spirit..

[YUMEYA]

Man, thanks a million. Will start commuting Monday and that is my route home.

Thank you for all the hard work you putting in to keep fellow trail uses safe.

Edited January 11, 2013 by YUMEYA

[Dan Dob]

I agree with DJR. A 'mugger spotter' along the same lines at the shark spotters. How are they paid? I do a lot of cycling and scrambling on the mountain and there are spots in which you can see almost all mountain trails and tracks-you'd only need 2 spotters to cover the entire Table Mountain biking route. You can see muggers from a mile off (ie loitering, walking one stretch of road backwards and forwards, looking for places to hide etc) and a radio down to rangers/police could make sure they get there BEFORE any incidents take place. Hell, I'd even volunteer 1 day of my week to do this myself if a system could be put in place, but it's be better to employ somebody to do it on a permanent basis.

[kandui]

What's wrong with one ranger, with a pair of binoculars and a two way radio sitting quietly at the Kings Blockhouse every day? He'll be able to see virtually the whole corner of the mountain including the hot spot. It should be simple enough to see if there are dodgy characters around and call in the cavalry. At the very least it will gain us some intelligence about where they come from and where they flee to.

The rangers do sit up at the Blockhouse from time to time. The response to a call from them though, is not always close by.

I'll chat with San Parks , hopefully next week, about manpower, deployment , etc and give feedback when I get decent intel.

[kandui]

I agree with DJR. A 'mugger spotter' along the same lines at the shark spotters. How are they paid? I do a lot of cycling and scrambling on the mountain and there are spots in which you can see almost all mountain trails and tracks-you'd only need 2 spotters to cover the entire Table Mountain biking route. You can see muggers from a mile off (ie loitering, walking one stretch of road backwards and forwards, looking for places to hide etc) and a radio down to rangers/police could make sure they get there BEFORE any incidents take place. Hell, I'd even volunteer 1 day of my week to do this myself if a system could be put in place, but it's be better to employ somebody to do it on a permanent basis.

Good point. I sit on the PPA Executive and have put forward , discussing a budget for patrol staff (insert Spotter, if you like). Next meeting is on the 21st and will provide updates as and when there is anything notable to report.

Edited January 12, 2013 by kandui

[kandui]

Signs still up ?

[Dogfish]

Signs still up ?

 

as of Saturday morning they were, one of the signs was loose and slipped down on the pole facing the harbor, may have just been the wind.

[kandui]

Thanks. I had the wrong cable ties with me (too short) and had to make a triple loop to get around the pole. When I ride this week I'll try to remember to carry longer ones and tighten the boards up.

The next batch of 5000 trail maps go to print this week and will indicate the danger area.

This bit of jeep track is the only off-road connection between the CIty and the Southern Suburbs and, in my opinion, a crucial link to be kept safe.

 

I have already got a quote for whistles and if anyone would like to sponsor those (by paying for them and getting your company name printed on the whistle), let me know. It would cost around R 3000 for 500 whistles.

Plain whistles cost half that (without print).