Commuting from Radiokop to Sandton

[johanpre44]

Hi Hubbers,

 

I work is Sandton and thought I would try to commute by MTB over the quiet season. I live close to Wilgeheuwel Hospital and by car the trip is about 18km one way.

 

I will prefer to stay off the major routes heading to Sandton (Hill, Republic, William Nicol, Sandton Drive etc.) purely because I know them and do not really see any space for a cyclist not to mention the speed of the cars (especially in the off peak time when I do my work commute). Some of these roads have nice side-walks but I will prefer not to compete with pedestrians (especially the sort busy with cell phones or having earphones)

 

I will also prefer to start the commute at 5 in the morning (this is my usual time for the commute by car), and going home again no later than 3 in the afternoon.

 

Anyone doing a commute like this on an MTB?

 

I have a tail light on my MTB, but should I get a headlight for safety as well?

[NOFX]

Yes, get a tail light, another head light, side lights , top lights, hi lights and any other lights as well........ And then still ride on the pavement. Motorists are idiots.

 

But should be a cool ride for you. Enjoy

[mudda]

Thats my route ... and commute - I do it every day

 

The quiet season is actually more dangerous for commuters since the speed of the cars increases with less traffic on the same roads.

 

Traffic congestion is thus a commuters friends.

 

This is the safest route (I have tried all)

 

1) Up paul kruger from your house

2) left christiaan de wet

3) Riight beyers

4) hope over into cr swardt

5) follow all the way down then right into elgin (it becomes dover)

6) straight all the way to republic

7) left republic

8) right william nicole

9) jump over park to st andrews (next to sandton drive)

10) right saxon

11) left empire pl (argyle) (has speed bumps for cars)

12) left rivonia

 

all above up to rivonia have pavement and single track options when it gets dangerous

 

You dont want to be on the road on any of the big main roads.

 

PS Pedestrians (+- 100kg) with cell phones much better than drivers with cell phones or earphones (+- 1 ton)

[Dorpie]

Morning, I live in the Wilgeheuwel area and have been riding the trails there for some time.

If you are looking for a safe fun way to get to Sandton I would suggest taking HP up to Gordon road, Left into Gordon all the way down to the Caltex and hop left onto the Spruit.

 

From there its all down hill to William Nicol.

 

That way you get to have a solid work out and a fun fast ride to work, No traffic, Min pedestrians.

 

I

[Mavro]

I would also recommend that you try riding off peak hours and don't go anywhere near a shopping mall. That is where the congestion will be.

[Gandalf]

I commute from Radiokop to auckland park, on mtb and ONLY on sidewalks. I would much rather compete with pedestrians than the traffic. just make sure you have the following:

a bell or ability to whistle loud

lights

poncho or something that can be used to waterproof your goodies

[mudda]

The spruit during the working week ? Isnt it isolated and empty ? Just asking - I may try it ...

[Dorpie]

Its not to bad, if you stick to the main paths and stay out in the open you run less risk.

 

I know of a few riders that train early mornings on the spruit and they have said there are plenty riders.

[beanz]

The spruit during the working week ? Isnt it isolated and empty ? Just asking - I may try it ...

 

I commute into Sandton on the spruit at least twice a week, and often include Alberts farm, which is more or less where you'd join if coming from Gordon road. It's all fine all the way down to Sandton. I don't go north of Willian Nicol during the week.

But the OP my suggestion would be to cross under the N1 at fairlands (9th ave), then go through northcliff and from there there are lots of options that don't involve heavy traffic, and you can do most of it offroad on the spruit without much of a detour.

[mudda]

Thinking about it ... HP is a friggen dangerous road ... car speeds in excess of 100KM on that section to Gordon road ...

 

Under N1 at fairlands sounds do-able ...

[johanpre44]

Sidewalks it will be, and good excuse to get a headlight.

I will try and scout a route with lots of sidewalks and/or speedbumps and also explore the spruit option. With a shower at work I dont mind getting dirty, its part of the fun while mtbing.

 

Thanks for suggestions.

[johanpre44]

Drove the CR Swart/Elgin/Dover route to work this morning, to my surprise its not slower than the major routes by car. Lots of side walk, especially on the busy roads. Think I will give it a try over the weekend to see if there will be any hiccups with the route. Now its just to get the lights, locks and commuter pack sorted out.

[lone.*]

I commute from Radiokop to auckland park, on mtb and ONLY on sidewalks. I would much rather compete with pedestrians than the traffic. just make sure you have the following:

a bell or ability to whistle loud

lights

poncho or something that can be used to waterproof your goodies

Waterproof your goodies?

[Gandalf]

Waterproof your goodies?

 

Goodies = flaptop, celllphone, books, other electronics, etc.

Waterproof them with = plastic bags, ziplock bags, etc

[johanpre44]

Only electronics will be cellphone, and i have a pocpac for it. Wet work clothes will not be fun, I'm sure plastic bags will keep them mostly dry. Thanks for Suggestion.

[mudda]

The cr swardt route can get very slow by car when its peak times ... I avoid it when travelling by car ...

 

You will see what I mean when you commute in January ... Right now its a breeze for motorised vehicles ...

 

Lots of single track on that route:) and huge pavements when in Randburg ...