Daft Vader Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 As you are, or are not aware, there is a group of people that have selflessly put their hands up to assist in an effort to improve the Braamfontein Spruit as a MTB venue. These people are representatives from most of the cycling clubs that are in close proximity to the Spruit and whose members regularly use the Spruit. We are following the Johannesburg City Parks' prescribed process in getting the ball rolling and for this we need assistance from every single mountain biker who uses the Spruit. So this is a request to everyone to please be considerate to other users of the Spruit. This means that DO NOT CONSIDER THE SPRUIT AS YOUR PERSONAL RACE TRACK to the detriment of others. I'm not saying don't pin it, I'm asking that you think when you ride. If you are busting a gut and at 13000rpm, give others a wide berth. Don't expect them to yield for you. If there is insufficient space, then I'm afraid, lose some of that momentum and slow down. I have personally encountered far too many people who suffer from delusions of grandeur thinking they are the latest greatest XC pro's. It's funny that people who are winning races are seldom guilty of doing this, so there is no reason for us to do so. We are forging relationships with several institutions who all have the best interests of the Spruit at heart, so lets not be our own worst enemies. Contrary to common belief, the walkers and hikers are starting to warm towards bikers, but then there is always that one megalomaniac who undoes all the good work. I trust we will have your support on this. Heck, don't limit this to the Spruit. Just be considerate when you ride.
markStockton Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 and contrary to popular believe, mountain bikes are capable of leaving the path and negotiating veld safely.
AndreZA Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Well said but it's a pity that only 2% of the users are on the hub. How many of the other users have even stopped to read the Ride rules at the entrances? There is a lot of riders that don't even know the kep left at all times rule. They come from the front and past you on your left (their right). I even had to tell one guy he's helmet is on backwards, his buddy did not even notice it.
TNT1 Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 So... riding the spruit is no different to anything else in this country? General lack of respect and zero consideration for others is the norm?
Dirtbreath Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Well said but it's a pity that only 2% of the users are on the hub. How many of the other users have even stopped to read the Ride rules at the entrances? There is a lot of riders that don't even know the kep left at all times rule. They come from the front and past you on your left (their right). I even had to tell one guy he's helmet is on backwards' date=' his buddy did not even notice it. [/quote'] Where are these signs? Cant say I have ever seen them. Clearly not paying attention.
Johan Bornman Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Daft, this is not so daft. I wish these words can be posted on boards at all entry points on the Spruit. It is becoming one of Jhb's best recreational resources and one that has to be shared, no matter how we look at it. May I add that the use of bells, in a friendly, non-aggressive way, goes a long way to alerting pedestrians that wheels are catching up with them. Some people and dogs get a fright when you pass them silently. Prefer a ting-ting bell rather than a tringg tring bell. This bell doesn't sound like "get out of my way" but more like "bicycle approaching, don't skrik." The Spruit is now such an important MTB venue that I think we should have a special FAQ on it (complete with your plea) , linked to a sticky entry right a the top of one of the appropriate forums.
Daft Vader Posted October 16, 2008 Author Posted October 16, 2008 So... riding the spruit is no different to anything else in this country? General lack of respect and zero consideration for others is the norm? Pretty much. Everyone is a legend in their own lunchbox
dirtrider Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Don't know who you people ride with but the crowd I ride with all got good manners .
Pocketbikes Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Good words DV. I haven't ridden the spruit as much as some, but I have seen good manners. Hog and I even chatted to a lady about her dog and then a horse came past. All smiles and greatings.
jedimastersa Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Just yesterday afternoon Poenster and I where riding the spruit. When we came across a downed rider, who had fallen pretty hard at the one "stream" crossing. This guy's mates where going so fast they did not even hear him fall, luckily it was not serious but it could have been worse. Espicially with all the issues going on in the spruit. Great words of advice DV, whish everyone could get a read of this!
Sean Badenhorst Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Good words DV. I haven't ridden the spruit as much as some' date=' but I have seen good manners. Hog and I even chatted to a lady about her dog and then a horse came past. All smiles and greatings.[/quote'] Could have been the lady with the dog's neighhhhbour... Seriously though, I ride with a BBB bell on my MTB and it's a great way to announce your presence to other trail users in a non-threatening way. Ping-Ping! What's the general rule on that little climb/descent to/from Republic Road - should descenders (going obviously at speed) move aside for ascenders or the other way around?
Poenster Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 Unfortunately there will always be "cowboys" that "own" everything... Sad fact of life... I love riding the spruit, and would love to see it become a safer place for us to ride and enjoy the beauty of it while mingling with people walking their dogs or riding their horses. " I also asked the rider that went down yesterday not to sue anybody for falling in the one crossing, so we should be safe there!!
AndreZA Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 This guy's mates where going so fast they did not even hear him fall If someone falls and no one is there to hear it, is he still classied as a roadie?
Poenster Posted October 16, 2008 Posted October 16, 2008 This guy's mates where going so fast they did not even hear him fall If someone falls and no one is there to hear it' date=' is he still classied as a roadie? [/quote']
jedimastersa Posted October 17, 2008 Posted October 17, 2008 This guy's mates where going so fast they did not even hear him fall If someone falls and no one is there to hear it' date=' is he still classied as a roadie? [/quote'] jedimastersa2008-10-17 00:05:22
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