Bankie99 Posted May 16, 2016 Posted May 16, 2016 Warning to all Cyclists!!On Saturday morning 14 May at around 8h30 whilst riding through Stellenbosch and making our way to Helshoogte pass 1 of our riders was shoulder charged off his bike in an attempted robbery.This happened on the C/O Helshoogte Rd and the R44 traffic lights. We had turned into Helshoogte Rd on our way to Helshoogte pass and happened just after the traffic lights by the trees....At the time we were 4 guys riding together with Winston being the last guy in the line as he was should charged by 2 "pedestrians" walking on the side walk. Me being right in front thought that a car had knocked him when I heard the commotion as a car had stopped in the road next to Winston. But then I saw the scuffle happening between the 2 attackers, Winston and the passenger of the white BMW that had stopped to help. The attackers pulled a knife and then tried to get away with his bicycle and almost succeeded as he was trying to mount on the bike but struggled as Winston rides a 61cm frame which is quite big and in his struggles to mount he was then dragged down and then managed to run away into Cloetesville. Luckily they never got away with Winston's bicycle but left him with some injuries and later revealed to be a fractured elbow from the impact of hitting the pavement. This happened so quickly and they tried this on a very busy intersection and even though we were 4 guys. I would fear for ladies or solo riders cycling in that area as these guys were very determined.This of course spoilt our whole day and we cut our ride short but it could have been so much worse. We really have to thank the driver in the white BMW who stopped to assist immediately as well as other locals who assisted and identified the attackers. I am not sure whether or not Winston went to make a case at the SAPS as his dad had to fetch him in Stellenbosch as the pain was getting to much for him to ride home with us. Luckily his bike was not to badly damaged except for a bent shifter and he lost his GPS unit. Get well soon buddy. https://www.facebook.com/cyclopathsclub/
Skubarra Posted May 16, 2016 Posted May 16, 2016 The scary thing about this and the Fisantekraal incident few weeks back are that these thugs aren't scared to attack groups of cyclists - not the lone riders that are targets anymore! Glad you guys are ok!
dev null Posted May 16, 2016 Posted May 16, 2016 Cloetesville always pops up when bicycle theft is mentioned in Stellies, yet we hardly hear of arrests in this regard. It is time the cops do an old fashioned klopjag in Cloetesville.
Bankie99 Posted May 16, 2016 Author Posted May 16, 2016 We were 4 grown men and Winston is a big guy at almost 2m tall and yet that didnt stop them either. I cant imagine what they would do to a solo or female rider. Like I said it happened so fast so even if you had a tazzer or pepper spray on you there is no time to pull it out in this situation.
Bonus Posted May 16, 2016 Posted May 16, 2016 Hope Winston is alright and his elbow recovers.If being 2m tall and riding with three friends isn't protection then what is?
Winstonian1984 Posted May 16, 2016 Posted May 16, 2016 @Bonus, im ok thanks...it could have been worse. The question I keep asking myself is....who is buying these bikes/parts that get stolen? It wouldnt happen if there was no demand.
koukie Posted May 16, 2016 Posted May 16, 2016 Its crazy how vigilant one have to be when riding past "pedestrians". Nowadays I concentrate more to be on the lookout for dodgy looking people than for cars. I will never ride close by people walking on the side of the road. If I have to I will take out my pepperspray and keep in in my hand. Actually spoils the whole ride to be always on the lookout but rather this than to become a victim.
Bonus Posted May 16, 2016 Posted May 16, 2016 Its crazy how vigilant one have to be when riding past "pedestrians". Nowadays I concentrate more to be on the lookout for dodgy looking people than for cars. I will never ride close by people walking on the side of the road. If I have to I will take out my pepperspray and keep in in my hand. Actually spoils the whole ride to be always on the lookout but rather this than to become a victim. I have just said exactly the same thing to Wendy. Must you look at every person standing by the side of the road "near" to a stick or a brick, as a potential thief with a weapon?
andydude Posted May 16, 2016 Posted May 16, 2016 @Bonus, im ok thanks...it could have been worse. The question I keep asking myself is....who is buying these bikes/parts that get stolen? It wouldnt happen if there was no demand. All the best Winston ! And on your question, I'm afraid it's us that's buying these parts and bicycles.
Bonus Posted May 16, 2016 Posted May 16, 2016 @Bonus, im ok thanks...it could have been worse. The question I keep asking myself is....who is buying these bikes/parts that get stolen? It wouldnt happen if there was no demand. I ask myself the same. And I know the popular view is "huge containers of stolen bikes being exported overseas" but it that really accurate? Or are there some people among us who "love a bargain" enough to buy off the road rather than off the shelf? Glad you're ok anyway. Come see us in Spain sometime and I'll take you for a nice ride :-)
Bankie99 Posted May 16, 2016 Author Posted May 16, 2016 So basically what this shows is that we have to ride 2 abreast to try and avoid this kind of thing. Do we also need to mount a can of pepper spray on our stems or handlebars for easy access?
T-Bob Posted May 16, 2016 Posted May 16, 2016 Jeez, nasty incident. Hope he lays a charge with the police, these things need to be recorded esp' if the people were identified in some degree.
Patchelicious Posted May 16, 2016 Posted May 16, 2016 @Bonus, im ok thanks...it could have been worse. The question I keep asking myself is....who is buying these bikes/parts that get stolen? It wouldnt happen if there was no demand.Glad you are ok bud! I hate that intersection, I try and ride through stellies an pop out higher up on that road, but I come from SWest side when I am down there. On your question, I keep asking it too. Where do thes bikes gets traded? We keep a pretty good eye on classifieds, OLX, Gumtree etc... Yet we dont see nerely enough biles going through there to say thats where they get sold. Pawn shops? Im not so sure.... I would love to know where all our high end bikes end up.
leeubok Posted May 16, 2016 Posted May 16, 2016 Thieves probably use the bikes themselves or sell them in the townships for R500?
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.