Rietvlei ripp-off

[corriekuilder]

Been to Rietvlei today, me and my SO,and feel that I have to vent some disappointment. We were met with a R50 riding fee (R40 for the trail,which is cool,then R10 for the vehicle). I mean,seriously,having to travel for about 40km,to ride at a venue that is relatively known for it's nice trails,to be met with almost a R20 increase in fee's,then finding no significant improvement in regards to trail building/maintenance,then having seriously questionable characters walking around on the trails,We will have to reconsider going there. When reporting the suspicious persons on the trail( I know about the robbery that occurred inside) to the security, i was blatantly told that its a country where there is freedom of movement. Rietvlei is enjoyable,nice trails,and I like going there, but what's happening to the trails?

[pbp18]

What bike do you ride??

[corriekuilder]

Merida,why?

[NotSoBigBen]

To my knowledge they are not allowed to build any new trails, what problem did you have with the existing trails?

[Pikey]

Thaba & rietvlei have both gone up by R20 a ride which I feel is a significant increase. But clearly there are trying to incentivize buying a 10 ride ticket for R300- R30 a ride,can't beat that at probably one the best trail parks in gauteng ( thaba that is) but rietvlei offer the same ticket. Which again is a bargain.

 

Wendell is always cleaning and adding in stuff at thaba. Like the new first part of the trail he has just changed. Adding in stuff new rocks and paths to make stuff more rideable & fun,like the new addition up at Barry's point with the rocks and wooden ladder.

 

R30 a ride at either bike park is bargain. Buy the ticket well worth it imo.

[blondeonabike]

I assist our local Mtbclub and folks will be shocked to find out how much trail maintainence costs. (This is maintainence alone...not improvements and fancy bridge,jump projects). Labour, petrol, brushcutter services, replacing damaged signage.....the list goes on and on.

 

A R50 trail fee is still a bargain for a mornings entertainment.

On the other hand for R50 I could buy a 2l Coke and a packet of NikNaks and sit on the couch all morning

[NGUTF]

, replacing damaged signage.....the list goes on and on.whistling:

Lol what signage?? [emoji6] signage at Rietvlei has always been poofy, thaba seems to have gotten better.

 

Haven't ridden Rietvlei in ages, esp. Since the bike jacking I doubt I'll be going back TBH.

 

There's a local MTB club that does out rides for mahala with varying difficulties. PM if you're keen

[blondeonabike]

Im speaking from a general point of view.  I realise things differ from club to club. Here in Kzn in the summer months it is never ending brushcutting and bramble taming!

 

Thanks for the invite, but I dont think I will be in the area any time soon

[Guest notmyname]

Lol what signage?? [emoji6] signage at Rietvlei has always been poofy, thaba seems to have gotten better.

 

Haven't ridden Rietvlei in ages, esp. Since the bike jacking I doubt I'll be going back TBH.

 

There's a local MTB club that does out rides for mahala with varying difficulties. PM if you're keen

My neck is hurting due to the intense rolling of my eyes...

[the nerd]

Go ride at Thaba. Just up the road, better trails by far! 

 

I've always had a moan about Rietvlei but i think it cos I have ridden every single part of that place at least 10 times over the past years and expected more variety. 

 

BUT

 

It is a relatively small piece of land with limited options regarding where they are allowed to build trails (which is now nowhere) since the school became the majority lease holder it has become difficult for the shop to do anything. 

 

Wendell has really put a lot of effort in at Thaba and that place is amazing, seriously, go ride there... you won't be dissapointed. 

[the nerd]

Also its R40 bucks... you paying the R10 to the property owner/lease holder... Out of Wendells hands, rather then park at the little nursery and ride down save yourself R10 and get a lekker quick warm up. 

[Clinton H]

To be honest, I'm not sure Wendell has any dealings with the trails at Rietvlei .

Thaba is his sole interest and passion and a far better option , I don't rate Rietvlei at all .

[Bat]

To be honest, I'm not sure Wendell has any dealings with the trails at Rietvlei .

Thaba is his sole interest and passion and a far better option , I don't rate Rietvlei at all .

Agree with you. The owners of Rietvlei Farm has a leasing agreement with Johannesburg municipality, and Wendell have again a leasing agreement with Rietvlei Farm. From what I am picking up is that Rietvlei Farm is not to concerned about the Cycle park. They obviously think the cycle park is taking potential money away from them due to the bigger land area they use.

 

But if you want a good experience, go to Thaba. Just 2km up the road.

[corriekuilder]

I enjoyed thaba the last time we were there,and am looking forward in doing the 24h again. I don't mindpaying extra fees,but I find it pointless to pay extra,and still feel unsafe. O ja,if anybody else was there yesterday,who else noticed the white corrolla on the green route by the bottom forest section? Car was parked on the trail,and I still don't know how he got there with his car,lol.

[PygaSchmyga]

I think its unbelievably unfair to the people who go to an amazing amount of trouble and effort to build trails, to moan about R10 or R20 price increases, especially when the prices themselves are so ridiculously low. 

 

Pick the cost of ANY item on your bike or part of your riding equipment: gloves, helmet, brake pads, grips, saddle, shoes, etc etc etc.  Really now? Grinding these poor okes gears for R20?  Come on man.  Why not just say, thank you so very much for going to this huge amount of trouble to make trails available in Joburg, where we don't just have fantastic riding environs lying around like in the Cape or KZN.  This stuff takes big effort, and truth be told, should cost many times more what is charged.  Do you think these guys are making money at R50 a pop? I don't think so.

[NGUTF]

To be honest, I'm not sure Wendell has any dealings with the trails at Rietvlei .

Thaba is his sole interest and passion and a far better option , I don't rate Rietvlei at all .

They must have an interest in the trails, the rent bikes out = income, they sell tickets for MTBing as well as spot sales for rides = income. If they did not have a vested interest in the park then they would move the bike shop to thaba.