Cyclist Down on The Braamfontein Spruit

[ValeYellow]

On Saturday mid-morning (19 August 2017) there was a cyclist that took a nasty fall whilst attempting to cross the wooden bridge, about 500m up from The Trailhead en-route to Emmerentia. It seemed to be a very nasty bail as there were paramedics attending to him / her? 

 

Anyone know a bit more, what happened and how is our fellow cyclist doing? 

[Paulst12]

Sorry, i dont know about the cyclist (i hope they are okay), however I do have an issue with that bridge if its the one Im thinking about. Its narrow and angular when approaching or exiting. Why on earth did the community close the pedestrian gate which give an alternative route into Delta Park?

The bridge just before it is fairly steep with roots and rocks on either side making it fairly technical. For beginners both bridges are hazardous.... I would expect there to be many more accidents at both.

 

[DirtyFrank]

Sorry, i dont know about the cyclist (i hope they are okay), however I do have an issue with that bridge if its the one Im thinking about. Its narrow and angular when approaching or exiting. Why on earth did the community close the pedestrian gate which give an alternative route into Delta Park?

 

The bridge just before it is fairly steep with roots and rocks on either side making it fairly technical. For beginners both bridges are hazardous.... I would expect there to be many more accidents at both.

 

 

Feel sorry for the rider for sure but surely a beginner will have the sense to push if they feel they are not able to ride an obstacle, we have to use our common sense when riding and there is always a degree of risk involved when on 2 wheels.

[ValeYellow]

Sorry, i dont know about the cyclist (i hope they are okay), however I do have an issue with that bridge if its the one Im thinking about. Its narrow and angular when approaching or exiting. Why on earth did the community close the pedestrian gate which give an alternative route into Delta Park?

 

The bridge just before it is fairly steep with roots and rocks on either side making it fairly technical. For beginners both bridges are hazardous.... I would expect there to be many more accidents at both.

 

 

The bridge just before it where all the roots are can be a little sketchy, especially with early morning dew on the roots, you could come undone done there pretty fast. I too noticed that the pedestrian gate is closed / locked, which Im sure there is a good reason for, but agree, it certainly was a better alternative for beginners and avoid the two bridges. 

[ValeYellow]

Feel sorry for the rider for sure but surely a beginner will have the sense to push if they feel they are not able to ride an obstacle, we have to use our common sense when riding and there is always a degree of risk involved when on 2 wheels

That risk is a reality, you WILL FALL, not a case of IF, but rather when - called Skills Management   . 

On a serious note tho, I really do hope that they are ok, and will be back on two wheels again shortly. 

[ChUkKy]

Sorry, i dont know about the cyclist (i hope they are okay), however I do have an issue with that bridge if its the one Im thinking about. Its narrow and angular when approaching or exiting. Why on earth did the community close the pedestrian gate which give an alternative route into Delta Park?

 

The bridge just before it is fairly steep with roots and rocks on either side making it fairly technical. For beginners both bridges are hazardous.... I would expect there to be many more accidents at both.

 

 

 

Ive been riding up and down the spruit for years and done so with people of varying skill levels. You have to be blind or have a troll jump at you from any of those bridges to fall in.

 

Maybe those people should stick to the road or play bowls or fund little catch nets on the side of the bridges for the less useful folk.

 

Sorry to hear of anyones pain but I think I better just keep quiet because this will become a never ending debate, finishing with a Friday fight on a Monday.

 

There is not one technical bridge on the spruit, maybe the concrete one made by the fairies there by William Nicol... maybe. The rest, no.

[Tothehills]

Saw some shattered helmet pieces at the top of "multi-track Delta Down" next to the palisade fence on Sunday morning. It is the palisade fence next to Leighton rd. Just hope that was not from a crash!

[jcza]

Spruit can be dangerous, I know of plenty broken bones 

[Danger Dassie]

Nothing wrong with the bridge, it's awkward at most. There used to be a tendency for bars to clip the rail, but that has been cut back since.

The fence wasn't a well thought out move it's now concentrates traffic over both the bridges and with the gate it impedes anyone with a pram or wheel chair trying to access the park, although it is actually open most of the time.
There had be something there though because of security issues and it being an easy escape route, in fact there was a murder in one of those houses some time back.

It's an unfortunate crash there, and not the only one, I also remember a runner taking a fall there. But considering the amount of traffic using that section it's safe to say it's a freak occurrence more than anything. 
Strongs to the rider!

[ValeYellow]

Ive been riding up and down the spruit for years and done so with people of varying skill levels. You have to be blind or have a troll jump at you from any of those bridges to fall in.

 

Maybe those people should stick to the road or play bowls or fund little catch nets on the side of the bridges for the less useful folk.

 

Sorry to hear of anyones pain but I think I better just keep quiet because this will become a never ending debate, finishing with a Friday fight on a Monday.

 

There is not one technical bridge on the spruit, maybe the concrete one made by the fairies there by William Nicol... maybe. The rest, no.

The Spruit is frequented by all levels of rider, from the DH masters to the complete beginner. I guess what is not a challenge for some, is for another - whatever - just hope that the rider is ok, main thing right?  

[ValeYellow]

Saw some shattered helmet pieces at the top of "multi-track Delta Down" next to the palisade fence on Sunday morning. It is the palisade fence next to Leighton rd. Just hope that was not from a crash!

Don't think the same incident, the one I saw was closer to The Trailhead, nearest roads being Blairgowrie Drive.