ChrisF Posted September 4, 2018 Posted September 4, 2018 We LOVE Meerendal. And a big part of this is a combination of the types of trails, and the fact that my wife can enjoy the restaurants while we ride. However .... the sins of the few is causing pain for the rest of us .... Tired of non-paying riders, Meerendal has now employed a serious gate control system. If you have a bike on your vehicle you park in the park-run space - NO entry to the old parking lot next to Carlucci. Call it "resistance to change", or an opportunity to find new trails .... Would love to hear of other venues that cater for the whole family, in terms of riding and a restaurant .... without asking you to park "outside" .....
Skubarra Posted September 4, 2018 Posted September 4, 2018 Don't quite understand your rant? Is your issue that you now have to park a bit further away? How much further is the "outside" parking?
ChrisF Posted September 4, 2018 Author Posted September 4, 2018 Don't quite understand your rant? Is your issue that you now have to park a bit further away? How much further is the "outside" parking? just far enough to take me out of my comfort zone .... just far enough that I am now looking into alternative venues .... That said, this is not meant as a "rant", but rather a question of what alternatives we have in the Tygerberg MTB network.
Twaatie Posted September 4, 2018 Posted September 4, 2018 just far enough to take me out of my comfort zone .... just far enough that I am now looking into alternative venues .... That said,Screw them, making you walk an extra 100m....... So now you would rather ride 10km extra to a new venue?
love the ride Posted September 4, 2018 Posted September 4, 2018 just far enough to take me out of my comfort zone .... just far enough that I am now looking into alternative venues .... That said, So you are there to ride your bike , one would assume at least 15 km, but parking 200m from the resturant is an issue? Your comfort zone is tiny !
ChrisF Posted September 4, 2018 Author Posted September 4, 2018 .... That said, this is not meant as a "rant", but rather a question of what alternatives we have in the Tygerberg MTB network. Okay, let's try again ....
PhilipV Posted September 4, 2018 Posted September 4, 2018 @Chrisf, is it because you are worried that someone will damage or steal the bikes while you eat? I always worry about that when the bikes are on my wife's car and not in Jy bakkie (i know, they'll probably steal it from there as well if they really want it.) I really like the Diary shed at Conters, will happily recommend them. And there my bike chills next to my table.
ChrisF Posted September 4, 2018 Author Posted September 4, 2018 @Chrisf, is it because you are worried that someone will damage or steal the bikes while you eat?I always worry about that when the bikes are on my wife's car and not in Jy bakkie (i know, they'll probably steal it from there as well if they really want it.)I really like the Diary shed at Conters, will happily recommend them. Certainly part of it. This Sunday Maritz's bike will be on the rack in the parking lot for some 3 hours before I ride with him. Always felt comfortable with this being parked amongst other cyclists, at the old parking lot at Carlucci or Crown. At Crown the car and bike is in sight of my wife while I ride. And yes, realistically the bike is probably just as safe at the outside parking area as inside .... We DO enjoy the Dairy Shed at Contermanskloof ! Actually time to go ride there again. Bloemendal also offers a nice family vibe. With the option of a coffee on the deck, or the full restaurant thing ... depending what my wife wants on the day. O-well .... maybe it is just "resistance to change" ....
'Dale Posted September 4, 2018 Posted September 4, 2018 Don't quite understand your rant? Is your issue that you now have to park a bit further away? How much further is the "outside" parking? 83.487 metres max
Chingy182 Posted September 4, 2018 Posted September 4, 2018 If you get there early, you can park 5m away from the grassy area at Hillcrest.But get there later and you'll be forced to park half way up to the entry to the quarry. No matter where I go at any of the trails for a post ride beer of lunch, my bike comes with me like it's my "seeing-eye dog".
ChrisF Posted September 4, 2018 Author Posted September 4, 2018 83.487 metres max To Crown or to Carlucci ? Normal Sunday ride for me and Maritz, I really dont care where we park. But when one of the bikes will be on the rack, .... uhmmmm .... just feel more comfortable parking inside.
Wannabe Posted September 4, 2018 Posted September 4, 2018 Going there for a ride on Saturday, we were quite rudely told by the guard manning the boom, that we must turn left before the boom, we are not allowed to ride through.As we had a youngster without a TGMTB board, and who had to pay for a day card, I asked him if we do not have to pay anymore, it is now free. While I was trying to get through to him that in order to pay for a day card, we had to go to the Restaurant, quite a few other cyclist without boards arrived, and they were also told to go left up the road to where the trail proper starts behind the Tent. I later just ignored him and went through the boom to go and put the youngsters money in the Honesty Box. None of the other guys did that, so I guess it is now free to ride at Meerendal if you are not a TGMTB member or displaying a board.
Rudii Posted September 4, 2018 Posted September 4, 2018 Hope they will now bring back the tables that use to be outside Carlucci's, this time of year the ground is a bit cold to sit on. Maybe in exchange for that 84m.
ChrisF Posted September 4, 2018 Author Posted September 4, 2018 Going there for a ride on Saturday, we were quite rudely told by the guard manning the boom, that we must turn left before the boom, we are not allowed to ride through.As we had a youngster without a TGMTB board, and who had to pay for a day card, I asked him if we do not have to pay anymore, it is now free. While I was trying to get through to him that in order to pay for a day card, we had to go to the Restaurant, quite a few other cyclist without boards arrived, and they were also told to go left up the road to where the trail proper starts behind the Tent. I later just ignored him and went through the boom to go and put the youngsters money in the Honesty Box. None of the other guys did that, so I guess it is now free to ride at Meerendal if you are not a TGMTB member or displaying a board. Jip, the current setup is not working properly .... I understand where they want to end, but get your ducks in a row first .... From Meerendal owners - riders with boards will be granted access via a gate next to the booms. I just HOPE they figure out how to welcome new riders, young and old .... while clamping down on the great number of clearly experienced riders without any club boards ...
ChrisF Posted September 4, 2018 Author Posted September 4, 2018 Hope they will now bring back the tables that use to be outside Carlucci's, this time of year the ground is a bit cold to sit on. Maybe in exchange for that 84m. They were closed for a few weeks .... Carlucci re-opened last week after a major revamp. Larger kitchen, ablutions relocated .... Seemed like they were trading on Sunday. The old Knipe_Racing area is being repurposed for wine tasting .... just maybe Meerendal is aiming for a new clientele .... time will tell ...
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