Looking for a cycling buddy in Edenvale.

[DominionZA]

I was wandering around Edenvale today and found myself in a bit of a dodge area. Also found myself chased by two guys.

I figured I should not ride around on my own, so looking for someone in the vicinity that wants to hook up for rides. I am in Harmelia. Close to Isandovale / Karaglen Spar.

 

A bit about myself...

Age: 43.

I ride a Titan Comp MTB 29er.

Still getting fitness levels up so average around 15km/h to 19km/h depending how much I use foot paths and side walks vs road.

 

During the week I head out around 17H00 and do a quick 15km to 20km before dark.

Weekends I go a bit longer. Previously it was 40km odd. Today I broke my record and did 51km.

Also starting to get into the habit of going to ride trails which are safer. Have done Modderfontein and Big Red Barn so far. Keen to try out others.

[Natural Defender]

Make contact with the guys from Edenglen Cycling Club.

www.team-edenglen.co.za or contact Laurie 0833496538

[DominionZA]

Make contact with the guys from Edenglen Cycling Club.

www.team-edenglen.co.za or contact Laurie 0833496538

Don't they mainly do road though?

[Uni]

There's 2 or 3 guys that I see ride quite often on mtbs along van riebeeck, modderfontein, dowerglen side. They don't look like they're part of a club. Where were you chased? My OH and I took a Ride around the vale a while back along footpaths up towards the more industrial sections - felt quite safe although we did pass a few chop shop type places that looked questionable and I felt many eyes on us.

[DominionZA]

There's 2 or 3 guys that I see ride quite often on mtbs along van riebeeck, modderfontein, dowerglen side. They don't look like they're part of a club. Where were you chased? My OH and I took a Ride around the vale a while back along footpaths up towards the more industrial sections - felt quite safe although we did pass a few chop shop type places that looked questionable and I felt many eyes on us.

I ended up in Spartan in Kempton. The further I went the more dodge it started to feel.

I stopped to check Waze on my phone to get directions out the area. Heard a noise behind me and turned around. Young guy on his haunches creeping torwards me. I instinctively started peddling. Then I saw another to my right.

They started shouting something or another and the one on my left started running, but I just kept moving. Got the hell out of there.

 

I normally head towards Dowerglen side, around Linksfield, and sometimes Bedfordview. Never had issues along those routes and never felt dodge. Think I will stick to those areas when on my own.

 

Kempton has some nice footpaths to play on though.

[Uni]

Yeah rather stay safe. It sucks to have to load my bike onto the car to go ride but I just don't want to tempt fate and ride on my own (also hate riding on the road)

[Butterbean]

Sorry to hear it got rough. They were likely after your phone. You're lucky you were aware of the movement.

 

In future, I recommend you plan routes using google maps that have varying distances. Then, take a drive during normal riding time along that route to check for traffic volumes, and piece job worker volumes along the various routes. You need a selection of routes so that besides when you're short on time or energy and choose a smaller route, you may get a time consuming mechanical and need to shorten a ride.

 

This was the best thing that worked for me as I knew what was coming, and therefore never had to whip my phone out while riding under normal conditions.

 

It's awesome to ride and just explore, but this is South Africa and things turn dodgy real quick. Rather plan and check and you can be slightly more assured of safety.