Poor Poor form Meerendal Wine Estate

[ChrisF]

26 minutes ago, Rudii said:

So what's the purpose of the bike rack in front of Bossa then?

 

A remnant from a time when cyclists were welcome at Meerendal's facilities.

[Shebeen]

On 10/7/2022 at 2:33 PM, Richard84 said:

This wine estate do not have a secure place to store bicycles and they refuse to allow you too keep them in your room. They canceled my booking on the eve of my trip there as I expressed dissatisfaction at their plain refusal to assist their guests and make a plan. I do not recommend them at all. What a disgrace.

@Richard84

 

howzit. so what was the trip like in the end. make a better plan and still ride the trails?

[Richard84]

8 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

@Richard84

 

howzit. so what was the trip like in the end. make a better plan and still ride the trails?

Yes. Made a much better plan. Rode 384 kms with just under 7000 m of climbing all around Stellies, Jonkershoek, Lourensford, Banhoek. Absolute riding heaven.

[Skubarra]

On 10/15/2022 at 6:04 PM, Wannabe said:

I rode there during the week, no way to secure your bike to the three bike racks, i.e. no locks provided. Asked the guard, he just stared blankly back at me and shrugged his shoulders. 

See attached pictures of the  racks, not even within direct sight of the guard, especially when he's busy at the gate leading into the estate. 

I'm not going to bash Meerendal for deciding not to cater for cyclists socialising after their rides, I'm sure they have their reasons and we have more than enough other options in the area.

I will say the idea that cyclists will leave their bikes unattended to go eat/drink at a restaurant few 100 meters away is just daft - can't think of anyone that will do that.

[MORNE]

12 minutes ago, Skubarra said:

I'm not going to bash Meerendal for deciding not to cater for cyclists socialising after their rides, I'm sure they have their reasons and we have more than enough other options in the area.

I will say the idea that cyclists will leave their bikes unattended to go eat/drink at a restaurant few 100 meters away is just daft - can't think of anyone that will do that.

Conties and the new setup with the brewery and pizza's etc is the perfect example of how cyclists started bringing their families and non cycling friends to hang out at the trail head while they go ride...then come have some beer and food with them. Then word of mouth happened and now the Starck's have a money printing hangout lol. That place is PACKED every minute of every day on weekends. Whatever the reason is at Meerendal...it might even be Bossa's management that decided....they are missing out on a massive amount of clientele  due to plain ignorance. 

[Robbie Stewart]

1 minute ago, MORNE said:

Conties and the new setup with the brewery and pizza's etc is the perfect example of how cyclists started bringing their families and non cycling friends to hang out at the trail head while they go ride...then come have some beer and food with them. Then word of mouth happened and now the Starck's have a money printing hangout lol. That place is PACKED every minute of every day on weekends. Whatever the reason is at Meerendal...it might even be Bossa's management that decided....they are missing out on a massive amount of clientele  due to plain ignorance. 

THIS ^^


Ending a run down the Black Rhinos 1 and 2 with a Black Rhino Stout is the perfect cap to a perfect trail. Being able to enjoy my stout while standing around under the trees, in perfect sight of my bike is what makes it even more special.

Rob Starke has the PERFECT recipe going there. On any given weekend, you see non-cyclists, cyclists of all types, even the odd 4x4-er mixing it up to share the stoke of that special spot. Heck, they even have place for the kiddies in a safe play area under trees and on a lovely lawn. 

[Robbie Stewart]

1 hour ago, Richard84 said:

Yes. Made a much better plan. Rode 384 kms with just under 7000 m of climbing all around Stellies, Jonkershoek, Lourensford, Banhoek. Absolute riding heaven.

So, do tell. What stood out? When are you moving there? 😉

[Richard84]

2 minutes ago, Robbie Stewart said:

So, do tell. What stood out? When are you moving there? 😉

Jonkershoek Armageddon 7 to 1 descent and Lourensford- Uitkyk descent

[Robbie Stewart]

2 minutes ago, Richard84 said:

Jonkershoek Armageddon 7 to 1 descent and Lourensford- Uitkyk descent

I still have to go do Lourensford. I watched it on the Epic and it looked fun.

Jonkers Armageddon is such a blast. I did it from 8 to the bottom a couple of months ago and I was completely shattered. Coming through 2 and 1 it was all I could to hang on and pray I don't crash. 

[Skubarra]

26 minutes ago, MORNE said:

Conties and the new setup with the brewery and pizza's etc is the perfect example of how cyclists started bringing their families and non cycling friends to hang out at the trail head while they go ride...then come have some beer and food with them. Then word of mouth happened and now the Starck's have a money printing hangout lol. That place is PACKED every minute of every day on weekends. Whatever the reason is at Meerendal...it might even be Bossa's management that decided....they are missing out on a massive amount of clientele  due to plain ignorance. 

Not going to defend them (very hard), I also think the Starck model is the way to go. But I know cyclists are not universally liked by all restaurant owners & other patrons so maybe they are going for something different. From what I heard that Bossa is packed over weekends anyway so seems they are doing well without the need to cater for us.

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, MORNE said:

Conties and the new setup with the brewery and pizza's etc is the perfect example of how cyclists started bringing their families and non cycling friends to hang out at the trail head while they go ride...then come have some beer and food with them. Then word of mouth happened and now the Starck's have a money printing hangout lol. That place is PACKED every minute of every day on weekends. Whatever the reason is at Meerendal...it might even be Bossa's management that decided....they are missing out on a massive amount of clientele  due to plain ignorance. 

 

Yes, Conties parking is getting fuller and fuller ....

 

Just look at how Bloemendal has grown.

 

2017 it was just a Wendy House for payment of day permits.  Look at it now !  It just keeps growing .... and BUSY !!

 

Now they same owners are tapping into this client  base to give "360" a new lease on life. 

[LazyTrailRider]

Resurrection of this thread: What's the current state of Meerendal's trails? Want to take an upcountry colleague for a spin there soon. Overgrowth? Ruts? General state?

[Mamil]

9 minutes ago, LazyTrailRider said:

Resurrection of this thread: What's the current state of Meerendal's trails? Want to take an upcountry colleague for a spin there soon. Overgrowth? Ruts? General state?

Good condition. New climb to the top of dorstnerg is nice