Be Cautious When Riding Grabouw/ Gantou

[FNB Wines2Whales MTB]

Hello fellow MTBers

 

We received a notice today from one of the Stellenbosch MTB Forums that there are two instances of attacks by Panga-wielding thugs (3 of them allegedly ), on the Grabouw-Gantou Pass MTB routes.

 

We would like to advise all riders that riding alone IS OUT and if you do decide to ride these routes, to use extreme caution!

 

We advise that you either go and ride at Paul Cluver and Oak Valley as it is a far safer option until these alleged instances eliminated.

 

Please also report any suspicious behaviour to the local Police Station:

Grabouw Police Station: 021 859 7719/7700

 

We as the event organisers are truly saddened by this news and will do all in our power to keep these routes as safe as possible, but your co-operation here would be truly appreciated.

 

See you all in November and HAPPY TRAINING!

 

The FNB Wines2Whales MTB Team

[RABUBI]

I am in kleinmond over easter. Any issues on that side riding those routes around Arabella and up that mountain pass?

 

Thanks

[DJR]

[PhilipV]

is this the grabouw mto forestry/eikenhof dam routes? is Gantouw pass the old wagon trail near Sir lowries pass?

[phenning]

Jip I understood its the MTO side close to the Gantouw pass . dit Suck

[Jacques Viljoen]

Seems it we would have to start MTBing armed Not nice at all

[FNB Wines2Whales MTB]

The routes around Abarella are relatively safe and we haven't heard anything for around that side, but one can never be too safe unfortunately.

 

Happy training everyone

[Cippo]

I have heard even of a hiker being attacked at wagon trail and his car taken, found the next day in township. Not sure of actual details.

[Lilise]

Hi! not being aware of the danger, my husband went riding here on Friday (18.04), and were then indeed attacked by probably the same 3 guys with pistols and pangas. They detained him for about an hour, stripping him of all his clothes, and tied him up with it; they put one of their dirty socks in his mouth and pulled his shirt over his head. They were violent and threatened to shoot him if he moved, at one point took a knife out when they couldn't get his wedding ring off. They then took his car keys, came back later with his car, loaded the bike and left him there in the field. Luckily he could free himself and was picked up by people on the N2. The police found his car the next morning in a field, stripped of everything, all the windows bashed out, scratched, bumped - we were shocked. You have no chance against 3 guys with pistols, even if you are more than one, they also caught him by surprise, jumping from behind the bushes. The Grabouw police have been excellent and are currently working very hard to catch them but they are still around there - so please be careful!!

[Cippo]

Lilise, really sorry to hear of your husband being attacked. Lets hope the police catch the perpetrators. If you are on twitter relay your story to Alan Winde, minister for finance and tourism Western Cape. He is an avid cyclist and a victim of an attack. Hope your husband and family recover from this ordeal.

[MaXiMuM]

Sjoe, bad situation to be in. So glad he is OK.

 

And what the hell!

And DAMN IT!

[DJR]

Hi! not being aware of the danger, my husband went riding here on Friday (18.04), and were then indeed attacked by probably the same 3 guys with pistols and pangas. They detained him for about an hour, stripping him of all his clothes, and tied him up with it; they put one of their dirty socks in his mouth and pulled his shirt over his head. They were violent and threatened to shoot him if he moved, at one point took a knife out when they couldn't get his wedding ring off. They then took his car keys, came back later with his car, loaded the bike and left him there in the field. Luckily he could free himself and was picked up by people on the N2. The police found his car the next morning in a field, stripped of everything, all the windows bashed out, scratched, bumped - we were shocked. You have no chance against 3 guys with pistols, even if you are more than one, they also caught him by surprise, jumping from behind the bushes. The Grabouw police have been excellent and are currently working very hard to catch them but they are still around there - so please be careful!!

 

Really terrible news! Sadly, Grabouw will be the biggest loser if they don't catch these thugs soon. I, for one, will not go there anymore. Also, the violence tends to escalate, so it is probably just a matter of time before there is a shooting!

['Dale]

Terrible

 

:-(

[gummibear]

Eish...so sad.

 

Glad your husband wasn't seriously injured.

[Smiles]

Really terrible news! Sadly, Grabouw will be the biggest loser if they don't catch these thugs soon. I, for one, will not go there anymore. Also, the violence tends to escalate, so it is probably just a matter of time before there is a shooting!

 

one of my favourite places to ride. Guess they will already loose - going to go somewhere else next weekend

[DJR]

With W2W coming up next month, this is BAD news for the whole area. It will keep riders away and it will negatively affect other established routes as well even though they are on the other side of town, because people will simply stay away from Grabouw if it is seen as dangerous. The owners of guest houses, restaurants, mtb trails, wineries and businesses should meet with the local police and try and impress on them the importance of solving this crime and catching the perpetrators. It is way more than just the robbing of one or two mtbikers. Otherwise it will not go away, it will get worse.