Bottelary Yellow route warning

[B20]

This morning on the Yellow route, very close to the farm with the white shade nets, there were shady non-white characters on the route. 

As I came around a bushy corner close to the shade nets, (there is a slight open clearing under the tree canopy) when I saw 4 to 5 men busy what looked like they were stripping cables.

I appeared that they were there for quite some time.

They did not expect me and were surprised as I came through their "camp".

Fortunately I got away and no harm done.

 

I would avoid this route until route management can confirm that it is safe again.

[Ferro]

Any update on this perhaps?

[Hellwarp]

The landowner has been notified and will be keeping an eye on that section of the trail.

[vaalkol]

The landowner has been notified and will be keeping an eye on that section of the trail.

This seems a surprisingly muted response. If I were the landowner, I would have been highly concerned about the presence of unknown characters on my property who were engaged in unknown and possibly nefarious activities. This case also highlights the value of MTB riders that do have the necessary permission to be on your property - something which may still be underrated by landowners given the current general security situation.

[Hellwarp]

This seems a surprisingly muted response. If I were the landowner, I would have been highly concerned about the presence of unknown characters on my property who were engaged in unknown and possibly nefarious activities. This case also highlights the value of MTB riders that do have the necessary permission to be on your property - something which may still be underrated by landowners given the current general security situation.

 

Vaalkol. The landowner is concerned and knew about an incident of cable theft before we did. Yes, having the extra eyes of MTB riders is a pro but there are also cons to allowing riders on your property which are just as underrated. Bear in mind that MTB trails often lure an unwanted element into an area which would not have been there if there weren't trails.

 

I could have posted a big "DANGER" sign and asked everyone to stay away from the yellow route. One must however be carefull not to create a hype which could scare people from doing what they enjoy, getting out on their bike. Yes, safety first and last thing we want to see is someone being mugged on our trails. ("touch wood")

Allowing people to ride and keep an eye out and a presence in the area may just be whats needed to keep at bay or corner any unwanted elements.