mtb trails @ Rietvlei Dam, Pretoria East

[wiledog_x]

does anyone know what the state of the trails are at Rietvlei Dam, Pretoria?

 

Used to cycle there often, trails were easy and short enough to take beginners along, with a nice steep climb up the koppie. Last time I was there (2014) the trails below the dam were not being looked after - overgrown with fallen trees etc. They were cutting some new trails on the koppie above the dam.

 

Anyone know what the status of the trails are, if it is worth riding there anymore?

[Nismo]

I would also like to know as I want to take the kids for a ride there

[Lurch the stalker]

I would be lying if I said I knew that they even had MTB trails there, but, I ride past there semi-regularly and I have never seen a cyclist inside the reserve or even vehicles going in there with bikes. 

To be fair, I could just not have gone past at a time when anybody was riding, or on their way to ride.

 

If they're not there anymore you could always go to Rosemary Hill or Big Red Barn or Groenkloof I suppose.

[Dibles]

I rode there a couple of months ago. A couple of the route markings are missing but if you've ridden there before you should easily find your way. Some parts have "graspolle" and rutting but other than that it is still rideable.

 

I didn't see any other cyclists but there were a few dishy canoeists running up and down, and the fishermen are always around so it is fairly safe to ride alone.

[jlrscott]

What gate to the reserve do one use? Also cost for entrance?

[Dibles]

Use the entrance that the fishermen and paddlers use. R10 entrance.

[Hennie VR]

Why not go across the road to Buffelsdrift?

[teampeanut]

Why not go across the road to Buffelsdrift?

That must be a big road Hennie VR.  Buffelsdrift is across the road from Roodeplaat dam isn't it?

[River Rat]

I paddle there on a weekly basis and I can tell you that these trails are not used often enough. Perhaps it's because they are pretty boring at best.

[NelAndre]

Why not go across the road to Buffelsdrift?

Roodeplaat dam versus Rietvleidam......dis bietjie ver.

[Dibles]

I attempted to ride the trail near the fishermen yesterday. I would definitely not recommend it for kids. The grass is so high in places that it was hitting my helmet and there are blackjacks. I could not follow the trail as it is totally overgrown in places and I could not even see where the tracks went.

 

This is what part of the rideable section looks like:

 

 

I ended up riding a dirt road which is not part of the trail instead.

 

 

 

 

[Hennie VR]

That must be a big road Hennie VR.  Buffelsdrift is across the road from Roodeplaat dam isn't it?

 

 

Roodeplaat dam versus Rietvleidam......dis bietjie ver.

 

My Bad 

[Peach.]

Has anyone been riding here recently, are there still trails or will we be allowed to ride the dirt road network?

[Squier]

I seriously doubt that it'll be worth it.

[TheKaiser]

Has anyone been riding here recently, are there still trails or will we be allowed to ride the dirt road network?

AFAIK since I was there last (over a year ago) riding is limited to the actual dam area, and not the full reserve (which would be cool).

 

Having said that, the actual riding area itself is tiny. And then based on the previous posts it doesn't look like much is happening maintenance wise. So i wouldn't waste my time.

[Peach.]

That sucks,

Any recommendations where or where not to ride in this area, looking for a 30-40km distance, safe to ride the roads around here?

I was told a guy got shot around here recently riding off the main roads.