Cranky Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 I can understand that everything cost money. Just one question..How was all of this funded before we were allowed to cycle there?The Modderfontein Conservation Society tried to a manage the reserve section, which wasn't open to the public generally and was full of alien vegetation etc. Unfortunately the Zendai building operations have started. Centenary Road will be connected to Linbro Park soon, a road will be built under the bridge near the reserve entrance, and the Westlake Eco-estate (yeah right) will be developed next to Lakeside Village.
DIPSLICK Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 Modderfontein as a whole is a lovely area and I sure hope the new Chinese maga city doesn't destroy that.i hope i am wrong, but if i had property near modders(thorn hill) i would not be happy about it
Quiksilva Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 I love modderfontein and brb but mtbiking is getting very expensive. Taking into consideration the fuel cost and then the entry fee...eish.. Price of fuel reduced by 90 plus cents.....offset that against the price increase.
Uni Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 Alfred Beit used to have a hunting lodge there, the tower just before the car park was where they spotted game from.I always wondered what that was - how interesting. Some of the buildings along 33 high are heritage sites aren't they? Hoping they don't get torn down.
Joe Low Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 Unfortunately the Zendai building operations have started. Centenary Road will be connected to Linbro Park soon, a road will be built under the bridge near the reserve entrance, and the Westlake Eco-estate (yeah right) will be developed next to Lakeside Village. Do you know if we'll get a better (alternative) road to the entrance any time soon from some of this building?
floatfox Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 The property has always been owned by AEL, formerly AECI, and before that the Modderfontein Dynamite Company. A gift from the Transvaal government. All of the property was transferred to Heartland Properties some years ago, same group. Heartland used to pick up the tab, I'll ask the landlord. Not too sure what the future is now that the Chinese own the rest of the property. Alfred Beit used to have a hunting lodge there, the tower just before the car park was where they spotted game from.Dont get me wrong, I love the place...but these places are making so much money from the cyclists because they know we need a place to ride.
floatfox Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 I have always wondered, what were all those buildings used for that you find out on the rout?
Uni Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 I have always wondered, what were all those buildings used for that you find out on the rout?I believe chemical & explosives testing
Uni Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 i hope i am wrong, but if i had property near modders(thorn hill) i would not be happy about itEspecially with low cost housing on the cards - I'm surprised there hasn't been a bigger uproar.
DIPSLICK Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 Especially with low cost housing on the cards - I'm surprised there hasn't been a bigger uproar.I can only assume it's because there is no stopping it, BEEEEG MONEY INVOLVED
EmptyB Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 I have always wondered, what were all those buildings used for that you find out on the rout?Looks like something Hitler and his mates would have built......
Joe Low Posted February 4, 2015 Posted February 4, 2015 Dont get me wrong, I love the place...but these places are making so much money from the cyclists because they know we need a place to ride. I wouldnt want that business. Apart from Saturday and Sunday mornings & some Weds nights it's pretty empty. The people operating the trails werent the landowners so were paying for the use of the park - big risk and chunk of takings. If the landowners run it now; mtb fees wouldnt cover cost of maintenance and improvements of the whole place; but would make a worthwhile contribution, better than nothing.
Plentipotential Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 I have always wondered, what were all those buildings used for that you find out on the rout? Those odd shaped buildings inside the reserve as well as the buildings to the south of the fence when riding along the reed beds were used to store dynamite and fuses. Dynamite is no longer used and so a lot of them are empty. Both of my maternal great grand parents are buried in a cemetery in Modderfontein, a company perk I guess, they were brought out here from a dynamite factory in Aberdeen Scotland.
Davey_Jones Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 I believe chemical & explosives testingYip and storage. My boet works in aviation and they have to warn pilots that divert over there about the explosives being stored there. Though it might be an inside joke?At the top of the long climb (green route) when you look behind you that area is still active the ones in the route are moth balled.
Plentipotential Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 I wouldnt want that business. Apart from Saturday and Sunday mornings & some Weds nights it's pretty empty. The people operating the trails werent the landowners so were paying for the use of the park - big risk and chunk of takings. If the landowners run it now; mtb fees wouldnt cover cost of maintenance and improvements of the whole place; but would make a worthwhile contribution, better than nothing. I often give the staff that operate the gate a lift on a Saturday morning. Last week I was told that the previous Sunday the gate took cash from 375 cyclists, excluding card entries. However winter time sees a huge drop in numbers. In fact the numbers dwindle after Sani and only really pick up again in November. January is without a doubt the busiest month.
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