Klein Constantia: Owner not happy

[i24]

My wife and I regularly cycle to the end of Klein Constantia Rd, then through the boom gates and up the hill to the end of the tar road that serves the houses on the estate. We have been doing this for over 10 years. Normally around Argus time when we have slick tyres on the bikes, but also a few times through the year to watch the vines as they change through the seasons and a bit more regularly now that Tokai is closed.

 

Yesterday we were stopped by the security guy at the boom. After a cordial chat with him, and subsequently with the farm manager, who also arrived at the gate, they let us continue and complete our ride.

 

But the feedback we got is that the farm owner is not happy with cyclists. Apparently mountain bikers have been cycling through the farmlands of Klein Constantia and into Tokai, which has upset him and he has instructed the security to block entry to cyclists. This spoilt our ride yesterday. It puts a lot of stress on the security man at the gate and it can't be pleasant for the farm manager either. So if you are thinking of cycling into the Klein Constantia farmlands, please get permission first. And take note that the Tokai portion of TMNP is currently closed - if a ranger finds you there you can expect a R2000 fine.

 

[urbanroyal]

Strange. ..as Klein Constantia is a sponsor of that Etixx team that Cavendish rides for...????

 

Edit spelling..

[Shebeen]

My wife and I regularly cycle to the end of Klein Constantia Rd, then through the boom gates and up the hill to the end of the tar road that serves the houses on the estate. We have been doing this for over 10 years. Normally around Argus time when we have slick tyres on the bikes, but also a few times through the year to watch the vines as they change through the seasons and a bit more regularly now that Tokai is closed.

 

Yesterday we were stopped by the security guy at the boom. After a cordial chat with him, and subsequently with the farm manager, who also arrived at the gate, they let us continue and complete our ride.

 

But the feedback we got is that the farm owner is not happy with cyclists. Apparently mountain bikers have been cycling through the farmlands of Klein Constantia and into Tokai, which has upset him and he has instructed the security to block entry to cyclists. This spoilt our ride yesterday. It puts a lot of stress on the security man at the gate and it can't be pleasant for the farm manager either. So if you are thinking of cycling into the Klein Constantia farmlands, please get permission first. And take note that the Tokai portion of TMNP is currently closed - if a ranger finds you there you can expect a R2000 fine.

my folks live round there and have been running for years in the area (Kc road, BvW/uitsig) - getting more and more closed off and with new owners at KC and uitsig the loose permission we had years ago is long gone and i wouldn't even bother..

 

real pity that this is happening now, hope it's not linked to the constantia mtb series last year, and any other medium term plans of more access to this gem.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Thanks Ian. Will let the other committee members know

[velomonatiCT]

the owner of K C is big into cycling comes out every year to do the argus etc he has a huge collection of bikes (road) so he is def not anti cyclists

 

but obviously the usual few self centered douchebags have been 'rippin it up' and have spoilt it for everyone else

[(Deon)]

Hi I24, did he mention a timeframe to these transgressions? Would be interesting to know if it's been during Tokai's closure.

[i24]

This is a recent development. We have been up that way quite regularly since around argus/fire time and got stopped yesterday for the first time. (Its the only time we have been stopped in the last 10 years).