Chapmans Peak

[Little Scott]

Yesterday a few of us (cyclists) went up to Chapmans Peak to do a bit of training for the Burger on sunday. We have been doing so since the road has been closed to cars and as it has boards that says USE AT YOUR OWN RISK....we proceeded as usual, to enjoy the quiet of a great training ride!

 

 

We were met by ...should we call him "official" from now on......who screetched to a standstill next to us as he came around the corner and told us to get off the road as it is closed. We said that we understood this and that we were just going up to the looking point which is not at the roadworks area. He reversed and pulled across the road (asif to block us) and again told us to "remove yourselves" off the road. I asked him why? He just repeated the answer and whatever I asked....just got met with the same reply.

 

When we asked him for his identification (consumer protection act stipulates that he needs to identify himself by either company clothing or name tag) he got on his phone, phoned (someone) and told them to call the SAPS from Ocean View as he has people who is not listening to him on Chappies and refuses to move.....by that time we have not refused to move at all, we asked him (all in all) 4 questions!!!!!!

 

 

We asked the "official" for his name and he refused to give it, just repeated that we have to get off the road. My riding partner then said that as the "official" is not complying to a accepted, fair request that we would take a photo to identify him and that we would wait for the police. The "official" then hid his face and would not state his name or any facts so we could make decent requirements! He did say that we must move so that he can get on with his job, and if we want to complain we can look at the number on his Bakkie. (lol....what if it was stolen, a phone number would not be usefull then!) My partner asked him to phone his supervisor but he kept to the story to phone the number on the back of the bakkie....We tried, but no reception at that spesific corner......not sure who he spoke to (on his cell) when he phoned!

 

 

We turned around with him following us...closely and before we could get cameras out to take the entrance of Chappies, he flew into the guard there, dissciplined him and then very quickly started putting red/white tape on the entrance....none of that were there when we went in originally. More cyclist joined us but this "official" was non-verbal, non-auditory and alot of non-things by that time...

 

 

I am a bit annoyed at the way this all went down.....that we would be shoooed off the mountain like that. We have been cycling there since the floods but not once were we treated like that.....the cops never came! BIG SURPRISE!!! Anyone had the same or similar experience????

[Stevief]

I would of just told him to F%^&*(k off and carried on cycling. He obviously didnt have a clue what he was doing.

[Surv0MTB]

Couldnt you just ignore him? I doubt he would take it to a point of physically endangering you guys. If so, he was outnumbered im sure?

 

I wouldnt have been very polite towards him that is for sure, and if the cops had to come then they can gladly ask us to leave and would be adhered to.

[Unknown MTBR]

I would of just told him to F%^&*(k off and carried on cycling. He obviously didnt have a clue what he was doing.

 

See that is wrong of you, you should ask him nicely "Do you mind F#*king off as im in the middle of an interval?" Dont mess with roadies when they are busy with a dam interval!!!! We are worse than a steroided gym bunny..

[Little Scott]

Couldnt you just ignore him? I doubt he would take it to a point of physically endangering you guys. If so, he was outnumbered im sure?

 

I wouldnt have been very polite towards him that is for sure, and if the cops had to come then they can gladly ask us to leave and would be adhered to.

 

We were annoying, but not rude to him at all...he physically moved his car across the road and used strongarm tactics like SAPS and interrupting when I asked a question (I'm a chick)......maybe he wanted to show dominance....my riding partner was ASSERTIVE, not agressive to him ...... As I said, if we tried to go past him, he would have persued us!

[Furbz]

he is a:

 

Person

Of

Extraordinary

Skill

[Red Zone]

I hate to be the voice of reason here.

 

The road is closed for road works, which means that the entire stretch is not being monitored for safety or rockfalls. The road is under the control of the operators and they are obliged to do their utmost to ensure the safety of people using the road. Entilini call the shots on what is basically a stretch of road under their control.

 

The guys in the construction and maintenance vehicles think that the road is empty and are cutting road corners and are just plain not looking out for cyclists. They are exposed to liability if they dont tell you to get off the road.

 

The road is closed, just plain closed, not closed for cars only, it is closed for everyone. I also dont see what the consumer protection act has to do with anything, the road is not currently operating and therefore no service is being provided, so why does a staff member need to carry ID.

 

Please, we cyclists are not exactly on the Entilini Christmas card list, just behave until the road is open. It would be very easy for Entilini to start charging cyclists to use the road.

 

Just chill, go ride Red Hill or any of the other climbs in the area if you want a nice quiet climb to work out on

[Little Scott]

I hate to be the voice of reason here.

 

The road is closed for road works, which means that the entire stretch is not being monitored for safety or rockfalls. The road is under the control of the operators and they are obliged to do their utmost to ensure the safety of people using the road. Entilini call the shots on what is basically a stretch of road under their control.

 

The guys in the construction and maintenance vehicles think that the road is empty and are cutting road corners and are just plain not looking out for cyclists. They are exposed to liability if they dont tell you to get off the road.

 

The road is closed, just plain closed, not closed for cars only, it is closed for everyone. I also dont see what the consumer protection act has to do with anything, the road is not currently operating and therefore no service is being provided, so why does a staff member need to carry ID.

 

Please, we cyclists are not exactly on the Entilini Christmas card list, just behave until the road is open. It would be very easy for Entilini to start charging cyclists to use the road.

 

Just chill, go ride Red Hill or any of the other climbs in the area if you want a nice quiet climb to work out on

 

I am in law so understand what you are saying....and agree. That is why I said I am sad for the way it went down..... again not the reason for using or not using it,,,,,the intimidation that went with it! And yes the consumer protection acts states that identification has to be worn at all times when you are at work (even when you are closed and speak on behalf of your buisness)!!!!!!

[Wannabe]

I am in law so understand what you are saying....and agree. That is why I said I am sad for the way it went down..... again not the reason for using or not using it,,,,,the intimidation that went with it! And yes the consumer protection acts states that identification has to be worn at all times when you are at work (even when you are closed and speak on behalf of your buisness)!!!!!!

 

Put yourself in this okes shoes. Who knows how many other clever / know it all / beligerant cyclists he had to deal with already before you guys rocked up and started to become clever also.

Maybe his patience was just worn thin by the time it was your "turn".

 

Adhere to the exclusion notices, if it says "Road Closed", it means road closed for all except authorised personnell.

[Karooryder]

I hate to be the voice of reason here.

 

The road is closed for road works, which means that the entire stretch is not being monitored for safety or rockfalls. The road is under the control of the operators and they are obliged to do their utmost to ensure the safety of people using the road. Entilini call the shots on what is basically a stretch of road under their control.

 

The guys in the construction and maintenance vehicles think that the road is empty and are cutting road corners and are just plain not looking out for cyclists. They are exposed to liability if they dont tell you to get off the road.

 

The road is closed, just plain closed, not closed for cars only, it is closed for everyone. I also dont see what the consumer protection act has to do with anything, the road is not currently operating and therefore no service is being provided, so why does a staff member need to carry ID.

 

Please, we cyclists are not exactly on the Entilini Christmas card list, just behave until the road is open. It would be very easy for Entilini to start charging cyclists to use the road.

 

Just chill, go ride Red Hill or any of the other climbs in the area if you want a nice quiet climb to work out on

 

Fully agree. For all practical reasons, the road is currently a construction site and all related safety and security procedures apply.

[90 Inch]

I am in law so understand what you are saying....and agree. That is why I said I am sad for the way it went down..... again not the reason for using or not using it,,,,,the intimidation that went with it! And yes the consumer protection acts states that identification has to be worn at all times when you are at work (even when you are closed and speak on behalf of your buisness)!!!!!!

 

If you paid a toll fee, then you are a consumer, but if as I assume you went in for free, how do you claim to be a customer, and expect protection under the CPA ?

[SwissVan]

I hate to be the voice of reason here.

 

The road is closed for road works, which means that the entire stretch is not being monitored for safety or rockfalls. The road is under the control of the operators and they are obliged to do their utmost to ensure the safety of people using the road. Entilini call the shots on what is basically a stretch of road under their control.

 

The guys in the construction and maintenance vehicles think that the road is empty and are cutting road corners and are just plain not looking out for cyclists. They are exposed to liability if they dont tell you to get off the road.

 

The road is closed, just plain closed, not closed for cars only, it is closed for everyone. I also dont see what the consumer protection act has to do with anything, the road is not currently operating and therefore no service is being provided, so why does a staff member need to carry ID.

 

Please, we cyclists are not exactly on the Entilini Christmas card list, just behave until the road is open. It would be very easy for Entilini to start charging cyclists to use the road.

 

Just chill, go ride Red Hill or any of the other climbs in the area if you want a nice quiet climb to work out on

 

+1 My first thoughts were wtf are people trying to ride on a road that is closed for...thought i'd keep quiet as my flame suit is in for repairs.

 

No ifs and buts, is it closed or not?

[Surv0MTB]

Put yourself in this okes shoes. Who knows how many other clever / know it all / beligerant cyclists he had to deal with already before you guys rocked up and started to become clever also.

Maybe his patience was just worn thin by the time it was your "turn".

 

Adhere to the exclusion notices, if it says "Road Closed", it means road closed for all except authorised personnell.

 

There is no excuse for rudeness and intimidation, regardless of what he experienced before this. He definitely doesnt deserve to be defended here thats for sure.

 

Red Zone made some very valid points though, but the worker in question didnt handle the situation correctly at all.

[porqui]

Chapmans Peak drive is perfectly safe to use.

 

It is NOT a construction site.

 

I have spoken to Mark Jacobs at Entilini and they have no issue to cyclists, runners etc using the road.

 

I have spoken to Robin Carlisle - minister of transport WC - He wants to open the road to cyclists etc.

He was waiting for a report from the geo-technical engineers which should have been concluded yesterday pm.

 

For the moment who is going to carry the risk of anything going wrong

 

USE AT OWN RISK you say - something happens you WILL sue province (my words)

 

I repeat the road is perfectly SAFE to use.

 

Robin Carlisle assured me that the moment they have studied the report they will make a decision and will act sooner rather than later.

I have contacted him several times on opening the road to cyclists etc and every time he contacted me promptly - even phoned.

 

I have not posted this earlier on the hub as I wanted to give province an opportunity to respond on my request to allow us to use the road.

 

Living in Hout Bay my rides are screwed - I avoid the coastal road as much as possible and Constantia Nek - you must be mad!

[Falco]

Please, not the CPA again... I don't think I can take it.

 

The road is CLOSED ~ to motorists, and self important cyclists.

 

Get used to it.

[Cog Masher]

The precedence was set the week before when the authorities had no issues with people walking, running and cycling there ????

They , the Entilini guys were very friendly to us cyclists , waving and saying hello ?

So then to experience the confrontion the week after is very strange.....there are no new signs indicating a change in policy.

They should have been consistent from the beginning otherwise expect to have to explain without being rude and confrontational.