Hero Adventure Park at Heia Safari

[Hfx0]

My mates and I started riding at Heiya in 2013.

There were times (Saturdays) when we were literally the only 4 riders on the course

 

It was incredible to see how the trails and a number of riders improved when Hero got involved. We’d go cycling there every weekend just to experience the weekly upgrades to the course

 

Unfortunately the pricing and service at the restaurant just got progressively worse (There was a brief period when there was a biker special for half price on the breakfast buffet which was awesome)

 

Andy Dott is a PRICK. When he took over Heiya trouble started almost immediately.

Our group went from being weekly visitors to only cycling there once every 2-3 months

 

We’re riding there again tomorrow for old times’ sake but we vowed never to visit the restaurant again.  If you want to experience good service, COLD beer and mind shatteringly awesome food rather visit PITSTOP DINER further down on Beyers Naude

[IceCreamMan]

_{Andy, a simple question. Were you aware of the agreement between Hero and Heia when you bought the place?}

 

_{If your answer is yes, then I believe you need to honour it as that is the high road.}

 

_{If no, then possibly your way of dealing it is correct.}

 

_{I love Heia, have been there more times than I care to remember, my kid loves the pool. both my folks had their 70ths there and I had my 50th there and would love to support the venue and make it a success, but get this resolved amicably and quick.}

[ByronH]

Dear Andy

 

Thank you for posting on the forum and airing your side of the story finally.

 

Yes, I have made pre-conceptions about you based on social media, as I have not personally interacted with you. If any of my perceptions are wrong, I apologise. However, I have also not met any of the Hero Adventure guys, but my perceptions of them are rather different...

 

This is what I have observed under my own two wheels however:

 

1) Hero Adventure really made a tangible difference to the quality, creativity and length of the trails at Heia Safari.

2) They seem to have conducted themselves professionally, marketed themselves and Heia Safari well, and organised many successful events.

2) They have made a positive contribution to the sport, and made Heia Safari an attractive offering

 

The MTBrs will see good paving and a boom gate as less important to:

 

1) Quality, lengthy, creative MTB trails

2) Value for money

3) lekker service and refreshments afterwards

4) friendly staff and management

 

and ps... please don't expect to not be badmouthed if you so easily badmouth Hero Adventure as 'Mickey Mouse' and 'Johnnie come lately'.

[xcd]

My mates and I started riding at Heiya in 2013.There were times (Saturdays) when we were literally the only 4 riders on the course It was incredible to see how the trails and a number of riders improved when Hero got involved. We’d go cycling there every weekend just to experience the weekly upgrades to the course Unfortunately the pricing and service at the restaurant just got progressively worse (There was a brief period when there was a biker special for half price on the breakfast buffet which was awesome) Andy Dott is a PRICK. When he took over Heiya trouble started almost immediately.Our group went from being weekly visitors to only cycling there once every 2-3 months We’re riding there again tomorrow for old times’ sake but we vowed never to visit the restaurant again. If you want to experience good service, COLD beer and mind shatteringly awesome food rather visit PITSTOP DINER further down on Beyers Naude

I'm glad to see you confirmed that there were trails at Heia before Hero Started. Don't be a hypocrite and call the owner names on a Forum. Say it to his face tomorrow

I suggest you read the Hub rules.

[The Flying German]

I just have to ask how i am Pre Judging or impying anything Or making a Stance with MY post. here is what i said .

 

" Is it Possible to Post a Google map or something similar with the correct entrances to Use etc ? "

 

Now How is that Judging ? Just wanted to Have A Ride with No Complications as to which Gate to use and Who to Pay

 

So Sorry Mr Andy I have to Decline that Beer As I wont be Name Called and Dragged into Things im not even Commenting On all i want is to Ride

[Andrew Steer]

Tough situation all round... haven't waded into this argument as I have had the pleasure of both parties company on a couple of occasions and can respect both their passions for the sport. I'll try be as neutral as possible

 

For Darren and his team, I feel for them as they are very passionate about their trails and definitely turned the riding at Heia into something a whole lot more worth while - not to mention put the venue back on the map. My write ups on the trails in Ride would tell you I am quite a fan, Hobby Park too is already very lekker! And I see they've set up a nice coffee stop camp in the Cradle on their Mtb loop too.

 

There was though quite a bit of trail at Heia already - Hero obviously added a lot more, and many features, but Andy's post lead's me to believe the arrangement in place is/was just not feasible. Heia was after all heading to liquidation, maybe he has a point?

 

How much was Heia getting out of our R40 entry? Building 20km (@R5k ave per kilometre) odd of track and maintaining it can't really compare to shelling out tens of millions on land. As a tenant, you are always at risk when investing your money into something you don't own. It's ***, but it's the truth. 

 

How would you all feel if you bought land at a cost of tens of millions at auction, only to watch the main current form of income go to someone else because you can't get a court date?

A quick internet search shows: "...the lease will not be binding if the property is sold on auction by a sheriff of the court. Here, Dickens says, the mortgage preceded the lease agreement and the bank’s rights take precedence over those of the tenant. She says in such cases, the tenant is given a reasonable notice period to vacate the property.

 

It's a pity the two parties couldn't come to some kind of working agreement, but maybe it's just not possible? At the moment though, it just seems to me that everyone is losing, Heia, Hero... us riders. First choice would of been Hero running the trails at Heia and Andy and co taking the rest of it to the next level, but I'm pretty sure that's not going to be happening now with all the mud in the water... so now we just wait for that court date I guess 

 

I for one look forward to seeing this: "So my intention is to create a far more professional and complete product for all of you, within a secure Conservancy with wild animals and indigenous vegetation, but most of all, on the doorstep of urban Jhb."

Heia was a good day out, but the trails aside, it was pretty poorly organized and clearly lacked funding... it's got amazing potential to be something really special.

 

My 2cents

A

 

 

PS: Been quite a few attacks on Andy's character, and I must admit he comes across a bit brash in is post, but I do know one of the main reasons for him taking up the challenge at Heia was an incident a year or so back when a hippo was shot at Lake Heritage to ensure a swimming event could take place at Heia. That to me is beyond sick. Imagine knowing a beautiful animal was shot so you could do a swimming race  
Andy is a conservation nut, along with being a cyclist, it can only bode well for Heia and us.

[Pieter1]

My mates and I started riding at Heiya in 2013.

There were times (Saturdays) when we were literally the only 4 riders on the course

 

It was incredible to see how the trails and a number of riders improved when Hero got involved. We’d go cycling there every weekend just to experience the weekly upgrades to the course

 

Unfortunately the pricing and service at the restaurant just got progressively worse (There was a brief period when there was a biker special for half price on the breakfast buffet which was awesome)

 

Andy Dott is a PRICK. When he took over Heiya trouble started almost immediately.

Our group went from being weekly visitors to only cycling there once every 2-3 months

 

We’re riding there again tomorrow for old times’ sake but we vowed never to visit the restaurant again. If you want to experience good service, COLD beer and mind shatteringly awesome food rather visit PITSTOP DINER further down on Beyers Naude

Yea man Pitstop is AWESOME!!

[IceCreamMan]

Tough situation all round... haven't waded into this argument as I have had the pleasure of both parties company on a couple of occasions and can respect both their passions for the sport. I'll try be as neutral as possible

 

For Darren and his team, I feel for them as they are very passionate about their trails and definitely turned the riding at Heia into something a whole lot more worth while - not to mention put the venue back on the map. My write ups on the trails in Ride would tell you I am quite a fan, Hobby Park too is already very lekker! And I see they've set up a nice coffee stop camp in the Cradle on their Mtb loop too.

 

There was though quite a bit of trail at Heia already - Hero obviously added a lot more, and many features, but Andy's post lead's me to believe the arrangement in place is/was just not feasible. Heia was after all heading to liquidation, maybe he has a point?

 

How much was Heia getting out of our R40 entry? Building 20km (@R5k ave per kilometre) odd of track and maintaining it can't really compare to shelling out tens of millions on land. As a tenant, you are always at risk when investing your money into something you don't own. It's ***, but it's the truth. 

 

How would you all feel if you bought land at a cost of tens of millions at auction, only to watch the main current form of income go to someone else because you can't get a court date?

A quick internet search shows: "...the lease will not be binding if the property is sold on auction by a sheriff of the court. Here, Dickens says, the mortgage preceded the lease agreement and the bank’s rights take precedence over those of the tenant. She says in such cases, the tenant is given a reasonable notice period to vacate the property.

 

It's a pity the two parties couldn't come to some kind of working agreement, but maybe it's just not possible? At the moment though, it just seems to me that everyone is losing, Heia, Hero... us riders. First choice would of been Hero running the trails at Heia and Andy and co taking the rest of it to the next level, but I'm pretty sure that's not going to be happening now with all the mud in the water... so now we just wait for that court date I guess 

 

I for one look forward to seeing this: "So my intention is to create a far more professional and complete product for all of you, within a secure Conservancy with wild animals and indigenous vegetation, but most of all, on the doorstep of urban Jhb."

Heia was a good day out, but the trails aside, it was pretty poorly organized and clearly lacked funding... it's got amazing potential to be something really special.

 

My 2cents

A

 

 

PS: Been quite a few attacks on Andy's character, and I must admit he comes across a bit brash in is post, but I do know one of the main reasons for him taking up the challenge at Heia was an incident a year or so back when a hippo was shot at Lake Heritage to ensure a swimming event could take place at Heia. That to me is beyond sick. Imagine knowing a beautiful animal was shot so you could do a swimming race  

Andy is a conservation nut, along with being a cyclist, it can only bode well for Heia and us.

 

Just want to point out that the hippo was shot because the owner of the land (bank) was not prepared to pay the relocation costs of the animal. The animal was not shot for a swim event it was shot as it was a danger to all people that visited Heia. Lets at a minimum get the facts straight.

[Andrew Steer]

Just want to point out that the hippo was shot because the owner of the land (bank) was not prepared to pay the relocation costs of the animal. The animal was not shot for a swim event it was shot as it was a danger to all people that visited Heia. Lets at a minimum get the facts straight.

 

Noted... thanks for the extra insight  

It was though done just in time for a swim event? 

Semantics aside, the place wasn't being run properly and a beautiful animal was unnecessarily killed.

[xcd]

_{Andy, a simple question. Were you aware of the agreement between Hero and Heia when you bought the place?}

 

_{If your answer is yes, then I believe you need to honour it as that is the high road.}

 

_{If no, then possibly your way of dealing it is correct.}

 

_{I love Heia, have been there more times than I care to remember, my kid loves the pool. both my folks had their 70ths there and I had my 50th there and would love to support the venue and make it a success, but get this resolved amicably and quick.}

I agree with your question and look forward to A D reply

I think it is also fair to ask Hero a Quetion

If they knew Heia (Gabbi ) was in major financial difficulties ( property going on Auction)

Why did they sign a 10 year lease. ( tenants normally look at signing a short lease in

case their business fails.) . Do they only pay 25% of takeings with no monthly rental ?

The below post is taken from a post Small fry posted last year.

I can tell you this man. Before those hero trails started operating, Heia was on a road to nowhere. After the old man was murdered the venue went to the Dogs.

This post proves it was common knowledge in the area that Heia was going on Auction.

[Guest notmyname]

This post proves it was common knowledge in the area that Heia was going on Auction.

No it does not. I was certainly not privy to info in regard to the auction.

I've used Heia for years and the degradation pre Hero was apparent.

 

Nice thumb suck though....

[xcd]

No it does not. I was certainly not privy to info in regard to the auction.

I've used Heia for years and the degradation pre Hero was apparent.

Nice thumb suck though....

Financial difficulty = repossessed = auction

I'm sure Hero did more homework than you. They had a very clever motive to sign a 10 year lease

[IceCreamMan]

Noted... thanks for the extra insight

It was though done just in time for a swim event? 

Semantics aside, the place wasn't being run properly and a beautiful animal was unnecessarily killed.

 

No argument and it was a tragedy but it came onto the heia property from an adjacent property and Heia requested it be repatriated. The owner of the adjacent property refused to pay for this and ultimately Heia were not prepared/could not afford the costs and the animal was unfortunately put down.

 

In keeping with the thread, Hero have developed the facility and have ploughed loads of time, effort and loot into the trails, I still hope for an amicable solution that does NOT result in me having to pay a whole pile of cash to use them. If that happens we will all go elsewhere to the detriment of Heia.

 

Heia should be viewing this in a different light I believe, the spin offs of having all these mountain bikers on their property who potentially use their restaurant and other facilities is huge. As an example my introduction to heia came from open water swimming and after each event I would have lunch with my family and this grew into family functions there and as a family we would pop in for lunch or just to chill.

 

I don't see a way clear here to be honest, I guess the trirock event is at jeopardy too now

[NelAndre]

Rode Heia end of Jan 2016 for the first time. Did the blue, yellow and red. Loved it. What is the verdict now? No hippo and ride if you wish just know you are going to pay more than you anticipate?

[NicNacDH]

@Andy Dott

Thank you for the invite, and that you took some time to read my comments.

I would be glad if you can come to a agreement with Hero, that benefits both parties in the same way, and in the end .... all cyclists.

 

Then i will gladly join you for a beer and i will pay for it.

[BikerBob]

So gents ... what's the bottom line ?

 

Have a group of friends that want to revisit Heia.

 

Politics aside ... are we still able to get in and ride ? Are the trails open ?