Suikerbosrand Advice

[silkman]

I've heard there is a nice route here.

My intention is to drive there early, ride alone then have my family meet me there for a braai.

Is it safe to ride alone?

Do they allow braaing all around the reserve?

What's the best place to start the ride and meet my family afterwards.

Thanks

[Falco]

It's perfectly safe to ride alone, so long as you don't crash and have to wait for another cyclist to come along and hopefully find you. Lots of people ride alone there, but I'm not one of them, I always ride with someone, or preferably a support car.

 

There is only one starting place, at the parking area.

 

Don't have a clue about the braaing part.

[Guest DieBees]

I havent been there for a while. There is a braai area at the start. If u havent done it before take a mate with you. I find it very tough because im over a 100kg. The long route that is. It is almost 60km long but very nice.

 

Edit: braai area is near the start.

[RussT]

Ride alone is fine just don't get to freaked by the baboons and noises in the bushes.

 

There is a Southern entrance and a Northern Entrance. Northern one is bigger and has more parking. There are a few braai spots on the way and I think there are a few at the main gate.

[Jay_B]

It is safe to ride alone excepting if you have a serious fall... could be a while before somebody comes by. Also keep in mind if you want to stay in contact with your family cell phone reception is very up and down there.

 

Braaing there is two dedicated picnic spots that allowing braaing... at the north entrance/parking and the second spot closer towards the south entrance.

[rudi-h]

I've heard there is a nice route here.  Indeed!

My intention is to drive there early, ride alone then have my family meet me there for a braai. Gate opens at 7AM, usually a lot of cars, so if you want to start early, I'd be there at 6:45

Is it safe to ride alone?

Yes, safest place ive ever ridden

Do they allow braaing all around the reserve?

yes, there are braai places at the start, maybe just take your own grill to be safe.  There's also a picnic area roughly half way around the route.  You can have a braai there too if you can get your family to ride around too

What's the best place to start the ride and meet my family afterwards.

The gate at the protea hotel just off of the N3.  The camping entrance (kareekloof) isn't geared for the cyclists.

Thanks

[Richard29]

just be careful if you enter kareekloof gate,

 

I rode there the other day from bassonia, and the chap at the gate who was dressed in ranger khakis, said to me " R60, I replied are you mad? he then said that's the price take it or leave it" by this time im already reaching boiling point I calmly point to the window which states R25 rand per cyclist,

 

he then responds he was just joking.... I wonder how many he has caught this way?

 

I normally come in the protea gate.... they more legit.

[kosmonooit]

Just make sure you ride self-sufficient with plans A,B and C. And there is shady areas at the car park, some facilities (albeit slightly run-down) and also some walks from there as well.

[kosmonooit]

...

 

Braaing there is two dedicated picnic spots that allowing braaing... at the north entrance/parking and the second spot closer towards the south entrance.

 

 

That second area is about 1/2 way around the big loop.

[karnuffel]

Ive done the small loop a few times before.  Its hectic, but then again Im still a beginner.

 

Good luck

[silkman]

Thanks everyone

[CleatsnCleavage]

Did a road loop at Suikerbosrand this morning and caught a ride in a cop car the last 20km home...most interesting conclusion to a mechanical yet! Would like to thank Riana from the Spez concept store in Melrose Arch who stopped her ride to assist us and in the process taught my boyfriend about the tools on his fancy Spez MTB. Also to Gustav for standing by - and even offering to let me ride his bike back while he walked. 

 

A really good training route, wish there was more like this in JHB. Also think the reserve should open at 6am so that cyclists can start training before the heat - if this was Cape Town it would be arranged in a jiffy by someone like Alan Winde. Has anyone tried getting this to happen?

 

Also: MTB is so popular and if Johannesburg has all the money like you okes claim, why do so few people take responsibility for tackling the land owners, be in private or gov, and then getting trail builders like Meurant etc to come and BUILD??? I take my hat off to the Tygerberg guys here in CT for all their work. Disclaimer: Dont flame me, just an outsider's view, I know the Spruit Fairies are hard at work etc but when you get land like Suikerbosrand it just seems like a complete missed opportunity. 

[Odinson]

Are there MTB trails at Suikerbosrand or is it road only?

[Firozfx]

Been there once. Pretty tough. What time does it actually open. Want to do a double loop

[CleatsnCleavage]

It opens at 7am, there is quite a queue at the gate so arriving a little earlier will help you get off sooner.

 

Re MTB trails, there are/were some, not sure how much of the walking trails they share but I dont know if they are marked at all. The possibilities are endless though! But seeing as though the Protea hotel lost licence to operate there and the facilities are all standing around going to ruin I doubt our governmunt would see fit to allow anyone to build a trail network. 

[Dgas]

I normally ride in the Cradle as it is close to where I stay, Dainfern, Four Ways area. But would like to ride somewhere different. Really stupid question, how do I get to Suikerbosrand?