Attempted "bikejacking"

[Veloce]

Just a warning to those guys who cycle up Bothas Hill on weekends, I was almost the victim of a "bikejacking " on Saturday morning at about 06:15.

We have been warned before about this, I know, but luckily due to these warnings I was able to get away. The bikejackers wait for you on the second corner where the hill gets to its steepest part and then jump out the bushes and try to push you over and grab the stuff out your shirt pockets. I think their timing was a bit off because i heard them jump the armco and then saw them run towards me as i looked over my shoulder. So there I was, out the saddle sprinting up Bothas to get away, I think i would've made Pantani look like a sloth next to me, Ha ha.

But jokes aside, I will only be going up there in a group from now on. Good bit of hill sprint training but not such a nice experience!!!! 

[hagar]

not nice at all take a few bars of brooklax in your back poket next time and throw some around . even better if you can get hold of some jimal and roast it then put it into a energy drink leave the bottle for them. believe you me they will sh*t themselves big time they will think they are dying its wicked stuff and they will think again about trying to rob us poor cyclists.

 

yes safer in numbers i am afraid

 

[bobbie]

Hey Veloce thats terrible... thank goodness Roxy is still covered in cobwebs and I did not join you for that ride...

This is about the 5th time in as many weeks that this has happened in the exact same area....AndrewBell and Markelf - hope you guys are taking note of this too!!

Glad to hear you're ok!  We have been told by our cycling club that we must ride in groups of 4 or 5 and stick together at all times...

 

[Mark]

Always good to get a bit of hill training.

We had a meeting with the Hillcrest SAP last week and advised them of a couple of Hotspots and Botha's was one of them.They have promised to up the visibility in the areas, apparently there is a road at the top and thats were the jackers make their escape.If you want to send me the details I will forward it to the relevant people.

[Veloce]

Yep, safety in numbers, cannot stress that enough. I got to Delcairn center and 2 mates who where supposed to join me bailed for some or other reason. So i thought i might as well ride seeing as I'm already here. Oh well luckily nothing happened. Last week a friend of mine was bikejacked in Durban North. A guy hit him side on, on another bicycle, knocked him over and took what he thought was a cell phone. All he got was a spare tube...

[Veloce]

Bobbie aren't you supposed to be training for Tour Durban

[hagar]

and you too Bobster take note !!!!! leave Roxy for the trip to the westcoast i will take you to TS secret hideaway  personal guided tour of the westcoast just bring the MTB with too 

[bobbie]

I'll have to ask HR if I can borrow his Trance as I dont own a mountainbike.....yet -

 

thanks for the invitation - I'll be there in a heart beat!!

 

TS - mentioned something about taking Skye and myself for "high tea" -        wonder if we can have that in Paternoster instead?

[TXS cyclist]

Yeah we could always arrange something like that..

[kingjreid]

hey guys, i live about 3km away 4rm botha's hill(i go to school at keasney on the top) and i train on this route about 5 times a week... i go up botha's hill sometimes twice a day when i ride to school... now i'm scared... how would you recommend protection from these guys?

 

changing route is not an option...

 

[Veloce]

Hey kingjreid, I seriously suggest you go in a LARGE group up this hill otherwise if you cant organise some mates to do it with you, perhaps consider getting someone to follow behind you in a car. (I assume you train early morning) Its just not worth it. They will assult you just to get a cellphone or anything that could be of value in your pockets. Even if you dont carry anything, they dont know that and could still try take you out. Not a nice situation i know....

 

You arent perhaps the same j reid that bought a Truvative MTB crank from mybike are you????? 

[Pocketbikes]

 

hey guys' date=' i live about 3km away 4rm botha's hill(i go to school at keasney on the top) and i train on this route about 5 times a week... i go up botha's hill sometimes twice a day when i ride to school... now i'm scared... how would you recommend protection from these guys?

 

changing route is not an option...

 

[/quote']

 

Only you can decide how important your training is.

If you HAVE TO ride this road and you have no other option, carry a tear gas cannister with you and have it ready at the hotspots. Traffic allowing (or lack of it), you can ride in the middle of the road, this will give you more time to react from the time they jump out.

Although they are only grabbing odds and ends at present, one never knows how far they will go, so please treat this "hi jacking" as life threatening.

 

As cyclists and motorists, we should all be alert while traveling and keep an eye behind you for the last kilo home (to be sure you aren't being followed home from shopping, banks etc)

 

[kingjreid]

 

Hey kingjreid' date=' I seriously suggest you go in a LARGE group up this hill otherwise if you cant organise some mates to do it with you, perhaps consider getting someone to follow behind you in a car. (I assume you train early morning) Its just not worth it. They will assult you just to get a cellphone or anything that could be of value in your pockets. Even if you dont carry anything, they dont know that and could still try take you out. Not a nice situation i know....

 

You arent perhaps the same j reid that bought a Truvative MTB crank from mybike are you????? 

[/quote']

 

haha ya i am.... turns out i got a new MTB 4 free, so i didn't even need it... but still it's on my brothers bike...

 

[kingjreid]

 

hey guys' date=' i live about 3km away 4rm botha's hill(i go to school at keasney on the top) and i train on this route about 5 times a week... i go up botha's hill sometimes twice a day when i ride to school... now i'm scared... how would you recommend protection from these guys?

 

changing route is not an option...

 

[/quote']

 

Only you can decide how important your training is.

If you HAVE TO ride this road and you have no other option, carry a tear gas cannister with you and have it ready at the hotspots. Traffic allowing (or lack of it), you can ride in the middle of the road, this will give you more time to react from the time they jump out.

Although they are only grabbing odds and ends at present, one never knows how far they will go, so please treat this "hi jacking" as life threatening.

 

As cyclists and motorists, we should all be alert while traveling and keep an eye behind you for the last kilo home (to be sure you aren't being followed home from shopping, banks etc)

 

 

 

ya, i only ride in the afternoons, and there is plenty of traffic to watch out for me. NOTE TO ALL CYCLISTS, IF YOU PUNCTURE NEAR THE TOP OF BOTHA'S HILL, RIDE ON YOUR RIM TO THE GATES OF KEARSNEY COLLEGE, AND CHANGE YOU TUBE ON THE GRASS RIGHT NEAR THE SECURITY. trust me guys, you will be safe there and they will be glad to look out for you!

 

[bobbie]

kingjreid  - I have seen you riding up and down Botha's and you are so right about there being lots of cars etc. which makes it a little safer.  Though some of these cars do travel at breakneck speeds which makes it very dangerous as well. 

 

If you had to call someone in an emergency would your parents be able to fetch you, or do they work far from school? 

 

Please let me know because I would like to send you my cell number in case you ever do need help. 

 

I live just around the corner from your cycling route and could be there in less than 10 minutes.

 

Let me know!!

[karind]

Bobby, just curios...re ur signature...u just an optimist or have u found the secrete 2 keepin love...