Bottelary Hills Red Route Dogs chase

[webs]

Me and my son did the Red route yesterday.

Coming down the hill, turning right, just about to pass a farm house, got chased by 3 big dogs.

As this was the first time doing this route, we weren't sure where to go from here. We turned around and got chased again.

My son broke his chain trying to outsprint the dogs.

He was very scared after that.

Does anyone know about these dogs at this farmhouse and can anything be done about this?

See map where it occured.

[Headshot]

That's not nice at all. Hopefully just a once off. We rode there a couple of months ago without incident.

[Max Headroom]

 

Yup, not nice.

The Overgaauw start is probably the only place you directly / closely pass a house on all of Bottelary.  Elsewhere, example ; the return from 'Fish Eagle' was rerouted some time ago to avoid the dogs. 

Have done that access route a couple of times, and it's not so easy to reroute that section, because the parking is at the house.

I think your issue was on your return and your speed was probably a bit rushed for passing territorial dogs ... in my experience.  Anyway, You really need a good fast section of road if you want to out-sprint a dog  :-)

Better to go slow and even spray them with your water bottle if they come too close. That is not the most popular entry point to the trail, so wouldn't make too much of a fuss, or it may be closed. Just be cautious, same as when passing dogs anywhere else on the roads/routes.

For info - because you mentioned you got lost. You missed the left arrow on the climb. Although this route has a nice section at the trees near the top, it is basically a proper climb all the way to the top, so not for a youngster unless he is fit and ok on long climbs. Further, as you get to the top, the Wolwedans climb and fantastic single track climbs etc, awaits you after that. (simply put, no disrespect to your youngster, but this is not the best entrance for less experienced.)

I hope it hasn't put Bottelary trails off your radar, because it has the most fantastic trail sections, variety, sweeping/flowing single track, beautiful natural bush and flowers, views and more continuous fun than any of the other trails with many miles.  But it is Bottelary HILLS, so climbing is part of the name.

 

[Robbie Stewart]

Got a proper hole ripped into my lower leg by a dog that decided to take a bite as I rode past. It was too quick to unclip from the pedal and before I knew it I had a sheep dog opening my leg to the bone. 13 stitches and 5 x rounds of rabies shots courtesy of riding past a open gate by a farm labour house on the way to Simonsberg. Since that day I have serious trust issues with dogs and nearly ended one on the beach at Melkbos after its owner let it off the leash and it promptly charged my 4 y.o. daughter.

 

[Rouxenator]

I use pepper spray on any form of attacker, two legged or four legged.

Today I tried coming down the Overgauw side from Wolwedaans but I saw a No Entry sign. I take it that is the solution to what transpired above? 

[ChrisF]

Off-topic

 

Where can I get more information about Bottelary trails ?

[Anthem24]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

Off-topic

 

Where can I get more information about Bottelary trails ?

Trailforks -- free on your desktop -- and here : https://bottelaryconservancy.co.za/about-mtb-trails/

The map under the Access Points tab is old -- a few more have been added, and it doesn't show The Goat (Devonbosch) or Polkadraai bike parks. Follow their page on Facebook: Bottelary Hills Conservancy & MTB Trails

[michaelbiker]

1 hour ago, Anthem24 said:

Trailforks -- free on your desktop -- and here : https://bottelaryconservancy.co.za/about-mtb-trails/

The map under the Access Points tab is old -- a few more have been added, and it doesn't show The Goat (Devonbosch) or Polkadraai bike parks. Follow their page on Facebook: Bottelary Hills Conservancy & MTB Trails

Was there today and tried a different start point at Devonvale Golf Course. The trails are fun but the signage is quite confusing. I’d recommend starting at Asara and following the red route until you see green arrows - then follow the green route until you see red arrows again. Or just use a GPS. You can do the yellow loop at the end if you still have some beans. Total distance is about 40kms. You can buy permits at Asara.

 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

And just a heads up that the Overgaauw routes are now closed to all mtbers. 

[leon_pro]

15 hours ago, Rouxenator said:

I use pepper spray on any form of attacker, two legged or four legged.

Today I tried coming down the Overgauw side from Wolwedaans but I saw a No Entry sign. I take it that is the solution to what transpired above? 

New owner, not part of the trail network anymore. 

[FootballingCyclist]

15 hours ago, Rouxenator said:

I use pepper spray on any form of attacker, two legged or four legged.

 

Interested to know what you would do if you were feeling threatened by Oscar Pistorius 👀

[Jono]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTsESDtE9Gu/?igsh=MTQ5czBtYmh6ZDJybg==

[Rouxenator]

5 hours ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

And just a heads up that the Overgaauw routes are now closed to all mtbers. 

Did the Van Veldens sell?

I grew up on Vlottenburg and remember them from the old school bus days.