Serious crashes on the Spruit today

[Rata Del Spruit]

Yes... such trails are usually marked... in bike parks etc. The spruit is not Red Barn or Kalrkloof. You do not pay to ride there. It's simply a long greenbelt.

 

What many don't realize is that the individuals who build the jumps, also maintain and cut new trail remove fallen trees (like the one that fell just up from virgin some months back, blocking the path), build bridges (like the one under 1st Ave, making it safer for cyclists to cross), and so on and so on.

 

These people do it for the love of the trail. They do not get paid. All have day jobs.

 

If it wasn't for these people much of th spruit would be unridable (esp in summer).

 

In summary, if you would like to mark the trails according to difficulty, don't let anyone stop you.

[Paulst12]

Its great that these sort of jumps/trails get made, however considering its the Spruit, and you have people riding it without knowing what to expect besides some flat trails, the jumps with gaps in them are in all likelyhood going to cause some damage along the way. Remember people dont sign indemnity forms etc to ride the Spruit, hence the lawsuit that was laid against the seesaw bridge and their sponsors. So whatever you do, dont put your name on anything, and if you can, make the dangers of the jump as visable as possible.

Edited April 22, 2014 by Paulst12

[RockCoach]

 

 

In summary, if you would like to mark the trails according to difficulty, don't let anyone stop you.

 

I can make little red signs with GAP on them for Byron Line. For those who must be completely blind...

[RockCoach]

Its great that these sort of jumps/trails get made, however considering its the Spruit, and you have people riding it without knowing what to expect besides some flat trails, the jumps with gaps in them are in all likelyhood going to cause some damage along the way. Remember people dont sign indemnity forms etc to ride the Spruit, hence the lawsuit that was laid against the seesaw bridge and their sponsors. So whatever you do, dont put your name on anything, and if you can, make the dangers of the jump as visable as possible.

 

The main trail of the Spruit can be rolled by my Gran in a wheelchair. You have to make as conscious decision to leave the unmarked green line and find the fun stuff.

 

Same as that seesaw bridge. There was always an alternative rideable line through the bottom of the small river.

[Rata Del Spruit]

Its great that these sort of jumps/trails get made, however considering its the Spruit, and you have people riding it without knowing what to expect besides some flat trails, the jumps with gaps in them are in all likelyhood going to cause some damage along the way. Remember people dont sign indemnity forms etc to ride the Spruit, hence the lawsuit that was laid against the seesaw bridge and their sponsors. So whatever you do, dont put your name on anything, and if you can, make the dangers of the jump as visable as possible.

 

Fair comment. Unfortunately, most of the people on here that would like sections of trail built to cater to their riding style don't seem to own spades.

 

It's worth noting that everything the rats and fairies build is constructed as a detour from the main trail and even then, considerations are given for riders that want to go around some of the features. Nobody wants to see a rider hurt but it would also be tragic if we descended into a nanny mentality where we have to cater for people that feel other people should be responsible when their own decisions go awry.

[DR ◣◢]

Unfortunately, most of the people on here that would like sections of trail built to cater to their riding style don't seem to own spades.

 

So true!

[Paulst12]

The main trail of the Spruit can be rolled by my Gran in a wheelchair. You have to make as conscious decision to leave the unmarked green line and find the fun stuff.

 

Same as that seesaw bridge. There was always an alternative rideable line through the bottom of the small river.

LOL.... I agree 100%... but some fool is going to follow the alternate line, crack a skull and try blame the people who put it there.... hence my "whatever u do dont put your name to the good work: comment. There is always someone who wants to blame someone else on the Spruit.

Edited April 22, 2014 by Paulst12

[patches]

I wonder if they have the same issue in Cascades?

 

But seriously.

• There are features there that are 10x more gnarly than anything on the spruit (with the exception of the poop-water).
  
• Riders come and go as they please. (No payment. No signing of indemnity).
  
• The trail builders can be proud to put their names to their work, and people appreciate their efforts
  
• Yes, there is signage, but Spruit fairies have been advised to avoid signage because it admits responsibility for any harm the feature may cause
  

So why is there this constant whinging about "ooh that's too dangerous" on the Spruit?

 

Maybe JHBers should take a page out of the midlander's book... ie. forget the "I'll sue you" mentality of 'Muricans, and just relax and enjoy the trails you ride.

[nolipoli]

While I agree that in general, we should try and do something about grading the obstacles on the spruit with signage, we must be careful to not dump on the guys that are putting in a whole lot of effort to make the Spruit a more enjoyable riding experience for us all.

 

Rather than complaining about jumps that may be out of your league, go and practise on the ones that you can do. Maybe in a few months the bigger jumps will be doable by you too. Everyone needs something to aspire to, including the better riders.

 

If you want more beginner obstacles, pull out a shovel and build it - I am sure there will be lots of riders that will thank you.

Edited April 22, 2014 by nolipoli

[Gliders]

I would just like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all those good people who put time into making the Spruit a really great ride! I don't claim to have the best bike skills and sometimes I find myself seriously tested on my HT. But I rode the Spruit yesterday and tried every jump and bern I could find I even came close to playing lawn darts with myself a couple times and even then it was a fantastic ride! So if you do happen to put your name on a section I will happily buy you a beer!

Keep up the great work!

Edited April 22, 2014 by Gliders

[Beast Tech]

What happened to simply opening your eyes? You know your skill, you know your ability, so just be realistic and don't think you can do something you can't.

 

Every person that has common sense should look at a jump before hitting it, even the best of the best always look at the jump up and down before they attempt it. As a spruit victim last year on the Scout hall line I broke my elbow (But I didn't blame anyone, patches taught me and not once did I blame anyone) It was my choice to hit it.

 

Ride within your limits, and if you not smart about you going to get hurt...

[jcmeyerSS]

About what time and what bike did this bloke ride? Just checking its not somebody i know

As Rouxtjie said it was around 10:30ish at the little up as you come off the concrete bridge across the river towards the "Bomb Hole"

His excuse was there was plenty of room and yet the poor noob fell over as he pushed past.

[Runbikeswim]

What some seems to miss is that its not about those of us on the hub who know what and where we can ride but a newbie or a 16 year old lightie that mistakenly takes a turn and ends up broken.

 

I know where and what i can do... And yes every time i try and push my self a bit. But one wrong turn at a speed and everyone can end with something broken and that is what sucks a bag of d's

 

[Peach.]

Any trail you ride is marked.. Green, blue, black , diamond etc.... Most websites and discussions on the spruit mention its a family ride and that implies green . These jumps are not. They should be marked end of story.

 

I put up a tripple arrow warning sign when the council excavated that trench by Jan Smuts, It was removed and thrown into the trench within a week, probably by someone who thought it deserved more than a 3 down arrow. I have heard of many people falling in there since.

 

Personally I think having a bigger lip will stop more people from thinking they can just roll it.

 

I have ended myself on a gap jump, that was marked with little red flags.

Yes it sucked big time but it was my fault for not looking at the trail before I tried the jumps.

just saying.

Edited April 22, 2014 by Peach.

[YetiDJ]

yip, that thing scares me, the gap doesnt look big so it gives you a false sense of confidence. It seems though that if there is a gap to clear, people don't ride it, hence it doesnt break them, but the bombhole is mos just a sharp little up...again a false sense of confidence, hit that lip wrong and you have a broken hip...case and point, yesterday's incidents

i rode past the bombhole today (beneath Old Parks Sports Club) and saw a guy cutting back the right hand lip (exit)...it runs pretty smooth now...and i was on a 29'er...looks like he solved your problem!

[Peach.]

i rode past the bombhole today (beneath Old Parks Sports Club) and saw a guy cutting back the right hand lip (exit)...it runs pretty smooth now...and i was on a 29'er...looks like he solved your problem!

 

Did you ask him to put a steeper drop at the top to stop monkeys riding up it the wrong way?