Ride home along the spruit

[Mr Winter]

Hey guys 

 

I have recently stared working in Sandton and have thought it would be a good idea to ride home on certain days of the week. The route I was thinking of taking would allow me to jump on the the spruit their by the big pick and pay on the corner of William Nicole and Republic and climb off the spruit on Witkopen road in Paulshoff.

 

What I would like to find out is how safe is it to ride this route alone? The time I would be riding this route would be from around 16:00?

[Andrew Steer]

Hey guys 

 

I have recently stared working in Sandton and have thought it would be a good idea to ride home on certain days of the week. The route I was thinking of taking would allow me to jump on the the spruit their by the big pick and pay on the corner of William Nicole and Republic and climb off the spruit on Witkopen road in Paulshoff.

 

What I would like to find out is how safe is it to ride this route alone? The time I would be riding this route would be from around 16:00?

 

Will you be wearing your Province jersey or not?

[Milosh]

I would not ride spruit alone at that time !

 

Peak pedestrian time and must be all time low on fellow cyclists.

[Mr Winter]

Will you be wearing your Province jersey or not?

During the world cup it will be my Springbok jersey and then i'll got back to the good old Province white and blue

[Mr Winter]

I would not ride spruit alone at that time !

 

Peak pedestrian time and must be all time low on fellow cyclists.

Damn I was hoping it would be a bit busier around that time, thanks for the heads up

[Andrew Steer]

I reckon the Spruit is pretty damn safe... but that's the dodgiest part in my view. If you're going to be carrying your laptop/tablet etc and people would want to target you it might be an issue, but if it's just you on your bike I'd say you're pretty safe. Wouldn't suggest it after 5:30'sh though. And I reckon other pedestrian's are your mates

 

My 2.5 cents

[Super_mil]

I rode that section of Spruit in reverse for a number of years without incident. From PnP William Nicol down to 12th in the morning and back in the evening (anywhere between 16h00 & 17h30). Touch wood I never had any issues. 

It's a great way to get fit without having to try too hard. It can be *** after rain, especially the section by Ballyclare.

The section from 12th to Witkoppen under the highway always seemed a bit dodge and I only rode it a handful of times, but always felt isolated.

 

I almost miss my Spruit commute sometimes.

[cat-i]

I use the Spruit a few times a week for my commute from Sandton - but I go the other way. 

 

I avoid the lower parts on my own, though. From Jan Smuts towards Emmarentia I've never had any issues or felt unsafe.

[daBlingKing]

I ride from Paulshof to either Delta Park or Emmerantia and back 2-3 days a week and I normally get on just after 16h00 so I am on the return route between 17h00-18h00.

Been doing this alone since about May and frankly haven't had an ounce of worry on any of the traverses.

I also see 3 or 4 guys on a regular basis that use that stretch as a commute (including one elderly okie on a X Country bike that despite my best efforts won't grunt a greeting - maybe he doesn't Like Liqui Moly   )

The "residents" there especially on the stretch that you want to ride are pretty cool and I make a point of greeting all and sundry I come across. 

I find that the peeps that live on the Spruit are all good with the cyclists. I think they realize that if they get up to any varmint stuff and the cops come a looking there is  chance they will get "evicted" from their shanty shack so they mind their own biz.

There are a lot of construction workers that use that short cut - but again I haven't had any hassles.

However - this is Souff Effreca and there are always treasure seekers looking for an opportunistic score, so ride aware, keep a lookout and take zip for granted.

 

But so far so good. I love the Spruit

[worriesnot]

Also commute once a week on the Spruit joining at Victory Park full length down to Chili Lane. Morning will be from 6h30 to 7h15ish and afternoons from 16h30 to 17h30ish.

No issues so far and been doing it for almost a year (most weeks; weather and work permitting).

[Gnarly]

I suggest, going a little further up and get on the spruit at DHL, I have ridden from there to the end bridge on my own plenty times at various different times of the day and never felt unsafe.

 

I even ride that route in the dark in the morning, albeit there are two of us at time.

[Jigghead]

During the world cup it will be my Springbok jersey and then i'll got back to the good old Province white and blue

 

At least no one will steal your jersey if wearing the blue and white!

[Mr Winter]

Thanks for the reply guys, I'll give it a try on Tuesday afternoon and see if I survive!!

[worriesnot]

Thanks for the reply guys, I'll give it a try on Tuesday afternoon and see if I survive!!

I'm doing it again today.

Looking out the window; it may be beneficial hooking a kite onto the handlebar. Man it's windy out there!

[cat-i]

I'm doing it again today.

Looking out the window; it may be beneficial hooking a kite onto the handlebar. Man it's windy out there!

 

 

I remember when I moved up here from the West Coast (Saldanha-area, where you can determine where south-east is by looking how the trees grow) someone coming in from outside complaining that the wind was blowing her off her feet ... and I looked outside and couldn't determine the direction of the wind from the movement of the leaves in the tree.

 

After 17 years in Gauteng, however, I agree that it's windy today

[SWAGG]

Thanks for the reply guys, I'll give it a try on Tuesday afternoon and see if I survive!!

Jusr read the thread, I am in Paulshof and might consider joining you - always more safety in numbers.

 

Let me know if you keen. where about you departing from?

 

Cheers