Emmarentia vs cyclists (again)

[Jigghead]

Yawn, this is probably one of those idiots who lets his dog off a leash and complains when it gets run over. Mutual consideration is called for and I tend to agree with parts of the poster, however I have come close more than once to hitting an unleashed dog when riding fairly slowly. I've also come close to the sharp end of an aggressive dog which was also not restrained.

 

I'd like to see where this goes!

[RockCoach]

In heavily used parks like that one, Strava segments should just be flagged.

It's a beautiful place to ride, but it's not conducive to Strava blasts. It's not safe for any party.

There are some sections that are really only MTB friendly (like the ridge up by the fence) but once a segment goes up, we know that we cannot help ourselves

This touches on a the same topics a few threads this week have. Just show some consideration for others. The last thing we want is for some bored tannie who's poodle got run over by an Enduro maniac to start some anti cyclist protest or petition.

But the walkers have claimed that ridge too. Had someone tell me it was made for walkers. Do you have any idea how heavy that short bridge was that we carried up there one night...

[RichieT]

We need a dedicated cycle path... for cyclists only.

I see runners and walkers are now using our bridge underpasses

 

as well as some consideration....

[rouxtjie]

ag tog....

 

Same old same old....few spoiling it for the rest. We ride the spruit every week as a chilled coffee ride...and yes the poster definitely has merrit. Its a public area ffs....there are dogs and kids(both have erratic behaviour at best) and they are everywhere. Why the need to chase through the park like Indurain on TT. I am sorry to say but I am in the camp of the guy that put up that poster. 

 

I think we should start naming and shaming(taking pics of these dicks and post them on this here platform for all to see them in full glory). We(cyclists) have such a bad name on the spruit that I am sometimes asshamed of being one in the company of others when the topic comes up. 

 

Think its time to educate these okes on the spot(no no no, not the fistycuffs type of education) by asking them if they are aware that its a public area and not their personal race track.

[DIPSLICK]

ag tog....

 

Same old same old....few spoiling it for the rest. We ride the spruit every week as a chilled coffee ride...and yes the poster definitely has merrit. Its a public area ffs....there are dogs and kids(both have erratic behaviour at best) and they are everywhere. Why the need to chase through the park like Indurain on TT. I am sorry to say but I am in the camp of the guy that put up that poster. 

 

I think we should start naming and shaming(taking pics of these dicks and post them on this here platform for all to see them in full glory). We(cyclists) have such a bad name on the spruit that I am sometimes asshamed of being one in the company of others when the topic comes up. 

 

Think its time to educate these okes on the spot(no no no, not the fistycuffs type of education) by asking them if they are aware that its a public area and not their personal race track.

    i reported you for bullsheet

[BBN]

I agree with the sentiment of the post, the park is for everyone, but it is interesting how many walkers, with or without dogs, now walk on the trails that were built by cyclists around the outer rim of the park to try and avoid confrontation with walkers on the main trails.

 

Would be interesting to see the reaction if we started shitting on their trails and not clearing it up!

[rouxtjie]

    i reported you for bullsheet

Ek sweer dips, its very chilled SS ride....hell I dont even take a garmin, and everyone knows its chilled...so wifes / girlfriends join because we don't go to mordor, we just barely poot a foot outside the shire.... we talk crap, dont even take race fuel and hardly break a sweat.

 

You must see these poephols bra, they are a menace, skeem they are on a TT, blasting inches from children and dogs...and then every cyclist gets a bad rep cause of their kuk attitude. I think we should start tjooning them before they actually hit a person or pet cause heaven knows, they will be killed by the walkers and parents and I will help whomever is doing the killing.

 

THE SPRUIT ISN'T A RACE TRAIL....GO TO BREEDTS / VG / HAKUNA MATATA / THABA / LANSERIA TO CHEESE / MAGALIESBERG IF YOU WANT TO MEASURE YOUR TOTTIE

[rouxtjie]

I agree with the sentiment of the post but it is interesting how many walkers, with or without dogs, now walk on the trails that were built by cyclists around the outer rim of the park to try and avoid confrontation with walkers on the main trails.

 

Would be interesting to see the reaction if we started shitting on their trails and not clearing it up!

I hear you, but remember if you build it, doesnt mean you can now claim it as exclusively yours...its still public land and the building of trails must be dealt with such a mindset. The topline as an example was built by cyclists, yet we don't have any argument when confronting someone going up instead of down or encountering walkers.....you stop, its not a dedicated cycle park. end van prent.

[BLACKvoodoo]

I think it's well written and very informative... 

[BBN]

I hear you, but remember if you build it, doesnt mean you can now claim it as exclusively yours...its still public land and the building of trails must be dealt with such a mindset. The topline as an example was built by cyclists, yet we don't have any argument when confronting someone going up instead of down or encountering walkers.....you stop, its not a dedicated cycle park. end van prent.

I agree that all trails are for everyone, but my point was more the effort made by the cyclists, spruit faries, to alleviate the problem by getting off the main trails and out of the way.

[davem]

Treat dogs, wallkers, horses, children in exactly the same way you expect to be treated by a motorist on the road.

 

The poster is brilliant in makes the point in a funny but also serious way.

[MTBeer]

Strava doesn't turn you into an @sshole. You were an @sshole before Strava was invented and Strava just gives you another outlet for your @ssholeness (like your fancy car or your fancy job)

[davem]

To the Spruit Fairies.

 

Would one of the LBS sponsor some small signage to place on the specially built trails to the effect:

 

This trail has been built specifically for cyclists to keep them away from walkers and other park lovers. Please be aware that cyclists may be moving quickly.

 

Sponsored by:  xxxx

[Sydd]

I agree with the sign. We have used Emmarentia for years, both to walk our dogs and to ride our bikes. When I walk my dogs there, I feel embarrassed by the behavior of the cyclists.

 

The environment is wonderful to encourage families to be outside doing healthy activities with their children and there are Strava-holes that can ruin the experience for anyone. If you want to ride rast through the park, go really early in a group. Don't wait for 2pm on a Saturday or Sunday when everyone and their dog is there trying to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

 

Let's be considerate of one another so that we can all continue to enjoy the park, because we really are privileged to have such a beautiful place to enjoy for free, inside the city with our kids and dogs and bicycles.

[MarcBurger]

Understandable.

However: 

 

Dear dog-walker.

 

Please teach your dog to not lick my spokes in transit. 

If a little rat-dog comes flying out of a bush, rocking his own strava-agenda or something, it will have a bad day.

 

But on a serious not: It's a park: Not a bike-park, dog-park, extreme-jogger-park, it's a park-park. Share and try be considerate to all users.

[rouxtjie]

To the Spruit Fairies.

 

Would one of the LBS sponsor some small signage to place on the specially built trails to the effect:

 

This trail has been built specifically for cyclists to keep them away from walkers and other park lovers. Please be aware that cyclists may be moving quickly.

 

Sponsored by:  xxxx

Therein lies the problem

 

The work by the fairies(Dont get me wrong, big-up to them, love your work) is illegal to an extent and we are technically not permitted in the park on our bicycles. Nobody would want to sponser such activity or put their name to it...Again I appreciate what the guys are doing.

 

The ONLY solution is being mindfull of the fact that you are entering an area where you cannot ride your bike fast and be alert to dogs and kids with random actions. Go race somewhere else if you feel its too slow or get irritated by walkers, pets and kids. YOU CAN NEVER MOVE QUICKLY in the park, no matter the amount of people or time of day. And we as fellow cyclists should police it by naming and shaming these people. They will be the cause that the park will be off limits to us.