Help needed: safe route to South and back from Parktown/Parkhurst

[travisza]

So wanting to ride to Suikerbosrand from parktown/parkhurst on Sat, do a loop, and ride back.

 

But I hear there have been some muggings when coming back through town on the way back. Idea was to use Nelson Mandela bridge....anyone have any experience or safer route options??? I hating getting in my car to drive to a place to ride.

 

Thanks!

[kosmonooit]

If you head due south from Braamies over The Bridge you might be okay, mad traffic / taxis can be the issue later on Sat morning, bit intense, don't expect anyone to give you any space on the road. And all those roads withe BRT lanes are a death wish on a bike. Town to the east of that passage (other side of the station) is a bit hectic to say the least, avoid that, if only because its so grim. There are other routes to the west via Pageview / Fordsburg (Bonus: you can then stock up with some Samoosa padkos from Oriental Plaza)

 

How about a route back via Germiston/Bedfordview? That would be a loop via the other way, coming out of the reserve you would turn east, go over the highway, and work your way north from there, south Germiston is a kinda Industrial area.

[nonky]

Watching this thread with interest.

 

Also, would appreciate some feedback on a safe route from Parkhurst / Parkview / Rosebank to Thaba Trails. 

 

Would make a nice change from the Parkhurst - Modderfontein loop for a 90-100km ride.

 

Thanks in advance.

[travisza]

If you head due south from Braamies over The Bridge you might be okay, mad traffic / taxis can be the issue later on Sat morning, bit intense, don't expect anyone to give you any space on the road. And all those roads withe BRT lanes are a death wish on a bike. Town to the east of that passage (other side of the station) is a bit hectic to say the least, avoid that, if only because its so grim. There are other routes to the west via Pageview / Fordsburg (Bonus: you can then stock up with some Samoosa padkos from Oriental Plaza)

 

How about a route back via Germiston/Bedfordview? That would be a loop via the other way, coming out of the reserve you would turn east, go over the highway, and work your way north from there, south Germiston is a kinda Industrial area.

Thanks will look at the route back via Germiston and Bedfordview. Not familiar with Germiston roads so might come back to sense check with you

[worriesnot]

Watching this thread with interest.

 

Also, would appreciate some feedback on a safe route from Parkhurst / Parkview / Rosebank to Thaba Trails. 

 

Would make a nice change from the Parkhurst - Modderfontein loop for a 90-100km ride.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Parkhurst - Modderfontein....? I assume you talking off-road mostly (?)

 

Please elaborate. Pretty please...

[nonky]

Parkhurst - Modderfontein....? I assume you talking off-road mostly (?)

 

Please elaborate. Pretty please...

 

Unfortunately, all on-road to Modderfontein.  Of course, the joys of the Johannesburg Road hill (both ways) are included in the price of entry...

 

Red Loop, then home.

[memakda]

Heres the GPX file from one of our club rides.

Starts in Killarney and goes through Parkview through Mayfair/Fordsburg towards Circus near Suikerbosrand

Havent had any issues but we do ride in a bigish group

 

circus.gpx

[travisza]

Heres the GPX file from one of our club rides.

Starts in Killarney and goes through Parkview through Mayfair/Fordsburg towards Circus near Suikerbosrand

Havent had any issues but we do ride in a bigish group

 

circus.gpx

Ok thanks, modified my route to match yours slightly on the way back. Thinking of riding into town on booysens, left on anderson, and then up to Lilian Ngoyi, then Subway and home. Or should I rather stick to your route of Long...Treu....Park??

 

Not so sure what the road under the M1 from Anderson to Lilian Ngoyi is like?

[travisza]

If you head due south from Braamies over The Bridge you might be okay, mad traffic / taxis can be the issue later on Sat morning, bit intense, don't expect anyone to give you any space on the road. And all those roads withe BRT lanes are a death wish on a bike. Town to the east of that passage (other side of the station) is a bit hectic to say the least, avoid that, if only because its so grim. There are other routes to the west via Pageview / Fordsburg (Bonus: you can then stock up with some Samoosa padkos from Oriental Plaza)

 

How about a route back via Germiston/Bedfordview? That would be a loop via the other way, coming out of the reserve you would turn east, go over the highway, and work your way north from there, south Germiston is a kinda Industrial area.

East towards Germiston is definitely doable but its quite a bit longer

[travisza]

Ok update....thinking of parking at the VA near Thaba trails and just riding from there. Not ideal and means getting in a car but takes the worry of town out of it.

[Frosty]

East towards Germiston is definitely doable but its quite a bit longer

Just avoid going up Black Reef/Wits Rifle roads, as there is no shoulder and cars/taxis speed going up the hill. And if someone is driving slowly in the right hand lane they overtake on the left. I've had two close encounters recently where you can feel them brush you as they go by (probably the wind).

[travisza]

Just avoid going up Black Reef/Wits Rifle roads, as there is no shoulder and cars/taxis speed going up the hill. And if someone is driving slowly in the right hand lane they overtake on the left. I've had two close encounters recently where you can feel them brush you as they go by (probably the wind).

Thanks for the tip. Will keep in mind for when we go for the longer route option