Silver Mine Bike Safety While Swimming/Running

[Velomaniac]

Hello

I'm keen to ride to Silver Mine Dam, swim the dam then ride/ run from there as part of a training routine.  I had noticed on one Occassion, about a year ago, that there were some people doing just that.  They were sporting pretty decent bikes too and were not locking them while they swam.  They told me they did it often and never had an issue.

A one time  1min chat does not fill me with enough confidence to leave my bike while I swim just yet, unlocked or locked, though this would make for a near optimum training routine given my location.  I would appreciate any feed back from people who have actual experience doing this.  

 

Many Thanks.

Edited November 21 by Velomaniac

[Chingy182]

I have heard some fairly recent reports on the Tokai Community FB page on some petty theft of personal belongings, like phone, etc. while people were swimming.

Unfortunately, chancers are just about everywhere and I would probably say you'd need to cycle with a cable to fasten your bike against a tree while swimming, but phone, shoes, etc. are still vulnerable.

I have wanted to do the same, but have felt the risk is just too big for me

[Velomaniac]

Thanks.  My feeling is the same.  hoping to hear enough positive experiences to instil some confidence.  guess it will be limited Gear to take with or swim with in a dry-bag.

[Anthem24]

Well now that you've put it here, it's probably less safe for your and other people's bikes!

Usually when we ride to the dam for a swim, we keep close by and keep an eye out. I wouldn't leave it there and go running, personally.

[Chingy182]

It really is a bit of bummer as there are so many wonderful things to do and Silvermine is a beautiful spot, but you have to consider the skollie to fun ratio on just about everything nowadays

[Robbie Stewart]

In days gone by I would drive to the beach for a surf and leave my car keys on the rear tyre like all the other surfers did. Or I would go and leave all my gear on the rocks along the point at Vicbay and go surf for 4 - 5 hours at a time and no-one would even approach my belongings. How times have changed.

[Velomaniac]

Thank you all for your input.

It does seem the consensus is that it remains a risky idea.

 

@Anthem24,

thank you for sharing your perspective. As someone new here, I appreciate the opportunity to learn from this community’s experience. My intention was simply to gather practical advice, and I hadn’t considered how asking might inadvertently make matters of safety worse. If you have suggestions on how best to approach these kinds of questions for future posts in a way that benefits everyone and while minimising risk, I’d love to hear them. Thank you again for your understanding and your guidance.

[TheAntoine1]

I have been swimming in the Silvermine dam quite a bit over the last few years and normally swim for about 40 minutes up and down the length. I "hide" my bag in the bushes near the dam - never have had problem doing this. Definitely lock your bike to a tree/ pole and you will be fine. Fantastic place for open water swimming!