Question: Bikepacking Service Roads Next To Railway Lines

[johanhorak]

Hi

 

Have any of you cycled along these service roads you get next to railway lines?

 

As you travel by car I always am intrigued by these service roads.

 

But not sure how consistent they follow the rail tracks and what the rules / laws are regarding us using it to cycle along.

 

I am looking for some long off tar bikepacking touring routes and thought these railway lines connect many places and they may be ideal to use as mtb touring routes or shorter trails.

 

BTW: I have read about the Dragon's Spine. It sounds great but the lack of info - book is out of print - and having to travel over private property seems to be a problem I hope to avoid.

 

I am interested in self supported bikepacking.

 

Thanks.

 

Johan

 

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[Madala]

Hi

 

Have any of you cycled along these service roads you get next to railway lines?

 

As you travel by car I always am intrigued by these service roads.

 

But not sure how consistent they follow the rail tracks and what the rules / laws are regarding us using it to cycle along.

 

I am looking for some long off tar bikepacking touring routes and thought these railway lines connect many places and they may be ideal to use as mtb touring routes or shorter trails.

 

BTW: I have read about the Dragon's Spine. It sounds great but the lack of info - book is out of print - and having to travel over private property seems to be a problem I hope to avoid.

 

I am interested in self supported bikepacking.

 

Thanks.

 

Johan

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Hi Johan

 

I have cycled extensively on these service roads and they are a great way to travel long distances off road and with little or no traffic. Most of the electrified lines have service roads that are generally quite well maintained. There may be the odd gate to climb over but I have only had positive encounters with Transnet staff along the way. You do need to check the route in Google earth beforehand or you can end up in dead-ends at tunnels or bridges,  Last year I did a trip from Beit Bridge to Cape Augulhas with about half of it on service roads. If you would like any info on that or anything else just drop me a PM.   

[johanhorak]

Hi Johan

 

I have cycled extensively on these service roads and they are a great way to travel long distances off road and with little or no traffic. Most of the electrified lines have service roads that are generally quite well maintained. There may be the odd gate to climb over but I have only had positive encounters with Transnet staff along the way. You do need to check the route in Google earth beforehand or you can end up in dead-ends at tunnels or bridges, Last year I did a trip from Beit Bridge to Cape Augulhas with about half of it on service roads. If you would like any info on that or anything else just drop me a PM.

Excellent. Just the kind of info I was looking for. Some of my old motor bike friends did such a trip but I lost contact with them.

 

I'll be in touch tomorrow via pm.

 

Really appreciate the info Mandala.

 

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[Sepia]

Ping Johan Rissik on the Hub. He knows about this stuff too.  He has done some serious railway line service roads.  There is also a very well written account of solo riding along these roads somewhere on the Hub.  JR will be able to point you in the right direction. Well worth a read.

 

Sounds interesting,  good luck.

[Slowbee]

Hi Johan

 

I have cycled extensively on these service roads and they are a great way to travel long distances off road and with little or no traffic. Most of the electrified lines have service roads that are generally quite well maintained. There may be the odd gate to climb over but I have only had positive encounters with Transnet staff along the way. You do need to check the route in Google earth beforehand or you can end up in dead-ends at tunnels or bridges,  Last year I did a trip from Beit Bridge to Cape Augulhas with about half of it on service roads. If you would like any info on that or anything else just drop me a PM.   

NO NO NO (!!!), this is not how it is done.

 

Being the new south africa, we demand that post the info on here for all of us to read and dream about.

 

And best it include some pictures Mr Madala. We want to see!

[slickandtyred]

This sounds lekker. Was on a train recently, and was considering same

[johanhorak]

Ping Johan Rissik on the Hub. He knows about this stuff too.  He has done some serious railway line service roads.  There is also a very well written account of solo riding along these roads somewhere on the Hub.  JR will be able to point you in the right direction. Well worth a read.

 

Sounds interesting,  good luck.

Thanks Sepia

 

Very kind of you.

[Sarge]

Hi there,

i think it is a great idea. We use the service roads around our town from time to time without any problems. In places the ballast has been used to maintain the roads, which is a bit rough but otherwise no problems.

Sarge

[johanhorak]

Made contact with Johan Rissik. Seriously funny dude. Goodness. I laughed reading his response to me via PM and then the blog article he shared with me on this topic. Read it here.

 

This sounds like a great trip to do for people "without an attitude" - Johan Rissik. 

 

Johan also shared some great gems on trips in and around Prince Albert. But I'll let him decide to share it in public.

 

Have fun

[Eugene]

I've also.wondered about these roads. Do they not pass through private farm lands

I wouldn't want a farmer to be letting off a few rounds over my head.

[GLuvsMtb]

I've also.wondered about these roads. Do they not pass through private farm lands

I wouldn't want a farmer to be letting off a few rounds over my head.

technically there needs to be a servitude registered for infrastructure such as roads and railway tracks. If you are nervous about permission, I suggest that you contact Transnet and ask for written permission to use their infrastructure. This should suffice.

[AfricaMike]

A really good book to read if you're into the ultra-distance thing.......

[johanhorak]

A really good book to read if you're into the ultra-distance thing.......

Thanks Cactus. 

 

Ordered the book here https://www.bookdealers.co.za/products/freedom-rider

 

Looking forward. 

[IceCreamMan]

_{Used to ride these roads all over the karoo by motorbike...some lovely roads to be ridden and in some places lil towns that are now ghost towns where one can sleep too. would love to cycle these...}

 

_{seed planted.}

[johanhorak]

I've also.wondered about these roads. Do they not pass through private farm lands

I wouldn't want a farmer to be letting off a few rounds over my head.

 

 

technically there needs to be a servitude registered for infrastructure such as roads and railway tracks. If you are nervous about permission, I suggest that you contact Transnet and ask for written permission to use their infrastructure. This should suffice.

 

Talking to Johan Rissik farmers are not the issue. These roads belong to the railways. And Mandala can correct me. Because they belong to the Railways Johan Rissik stress that we need to be very nice to these guys. But he also said that they treated him very well. 

 

As I shared above you can read his story Sishen to Saldana here. Very funny as well as a nice carot. 

[Cois]

Used the railway lines with the F650GS a few times.  I would not recommend some lines as they go into high crime areas.  But the other lines we rode next to was fun, and no cars.  Just got lost once or twice, but all fun.