epoh Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 That is really unfortunate, is there a way we can counter that? Any ideas?
The Saint Posted February 12, 2009 Author Posted February 12, 2009 Just got off the phone with the Parks officials and here is what they have had to say."For the time being you may come to the reserve as normal but a meeting will be held in April / May to discuss the routing and rules / regulations which cyclists and other activities at the park must adhere to". "We in the interim are aware that some of our staff are breaking the rules and need to first adress this issue before moving on to the public. However having said that the public must continue to abide by the current rules which are in place and 3 particular areas of concern are". a) Cyclists riding down the big hill at the beginning of the course on the N3 side of the route - it is extremely dangerous. b) People not using the ablution blocks but stopping on the side of the road and using the reserve as toilet facilities. c) Motor vehicles traveling the wrong way around the route They indicated that they would be looking at a better policing method to ensure that the rules are not broken and would be looking at a system of banning individuals from the park who transgress the rules. They will be in contact with me after their meeting has been held in order to let me know what the official rulings are. Now be good people and abide by the rules and there will be no problems - it's simple really!!
amateur Posted February 12, 2009 Posted February 12, 2009 muxman, maybe you can suggest that the keys that ride there regularly become 'cycling park marshalls' - as such. And that if the marshall's see cyclists breaking the rules you can hand out penalties or kick them out etc. they have that at northern farm, some regulars are marshals and if they see you riding without a helmet or such they can escort you off the premises etc. Just an idea.
slowpoke Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 muxie, thank you so much for doing the enquiries and finding out what the actual issues are. let's all work together to adress these issues so that hopefully we will not get banned.
KABOUS Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Personally I think they should start by puttingn up clear road signs at the top and bottom of the big climbs and at the entrance to the park stipulating the rules. It would be very hard for somebody in civvies to enforce any rules on other riders- You will get donnered !
Delgado Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Personally I think they should start by puttingn up clear road signs at the top and bottom of the big climbs and at the entrance to the park stipulating the rules. It would be very hard for somebody in civvies to enforce any rules on other riders- You will get donnered ! perhaps! but then again perhaps not?! lets see!!
amateur Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Personally I think they should start by puttingn up clear road signs at the top and bottom of the big climbs and at the entrance to the park stipulating the rules. It would be very hard for somebody in civvies to enforce any rules on other riders- You will get donnered ! then let the guys ride with a bib on that reads 'PARK CYCLING MARSHAL'. If they 'donner' you then you have a right to take action as the rules will state that you must listen to the park marshals. They make you sign that sheet when you drive in anyway, why not change it to a type of indemnity form, with the rules on, so that you sign that you accept it before you drive in the gate. Then you can't 'donner' anyone. well that's my suggestion ... can't see it doing any harm.
INDABUSCHE Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 What peeves me is the gel wrappers discarded. how difficult is it to return the wrapper to yor pocket. Of all the refuse left after a w/end the majority of this is from cyclists and not the general public. We need Suikerbos, training for the Epic i make this pilgrimage each w/end and always remind myself just how fortunate we are to have access to this safe and beautiful area. Another issue that was raised was cyclists urinating. Guess that this is a hard call but perhaps we can be a little more dicrete when it comes to body breaks. Personally i dont believe that the issues raised against the cyclists are from the public in general and probably relates to a specific incident. My experiences and i am talking hundreds of ks at Suikerbos have generally been good. Despite this there are always those who are going screw it up for others, thats human nature.........
Delgado Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 What peeves me is the gel wrappers discarded. how difficult is it to return the wrapper to yor pocket. Of all the refuse left after a w/end the majority of this is from cyclists and not the general public. We need Suikerbos' date=' training for the Epic i make this pilgrimage each w/end and always remind myself just how fortunate we are to have access to this safe and beautiful area. Another issue that was raised was cyclists urinating. Guess that this is a hard call but perhaps we can be a little more dicrete when it comes to body breaks. Personally i dont believe that the issues raised against the cyclists are from the public in general and probably relates to a specific incident. My experiences and i am talking hundreds of ks at Suikerbos have generally been good. Despite this there are always those who are going screw it up for others, thats human nature.........[/quote'] Correct on both statements mate!! What we are working towards is not letting "those" to screw it up by having them persona non grata on a bicycle at SBR!!
INDABUSCHE Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 What about the gel wrappers? cyclists are leaving more refuse in the reserve than the general public. It is a damn disgrace.........o
Danger Dassie Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 they have that at northern farm' date=' some regulars are marshals and if they see you riding without a helmet or such they can escort you off the premises etc. [/quote'] Really? Is this a recent thing, how do we identify them?Pretty good idea, on a couple of occasions I've seen a guy without a lid there and Groenkloof. Whilst out with his mates who are all wearing helmets.
amateur Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Really? Is this a recent thing, how do we identify them?Pretty good idea, on a couple of occasions I've seen a guy without a lid there and Groenkloof. Whilst out with his mates who are all wearing helmets. I found out about it when I started riding there in 2005, not sure if it is still in force, but I know it was. I think they used to wear a coloured tag on their clothing or something like that. I know the one guy never used to wear it as he said that when the people saw it they suddenly did the right thing, so he wanted to catch them in the act and then show them the tag, after he craped all over them
scotty Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Can't claim to have noticed gel or bar sweet wrappers there, can however claim to have seen official's driving down the wrong way then getting po when asked why (waterbottle can attest to this), glass bottles remain's on the tar, aftermath of a picnic site trashed by groups in cars. We as cyclists can do our bit but officials and vehicle drivers also need to do theirs
Delgado Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Can't claim to have noticed gel or bar sweet wrappers there' date=' can however claim to have seen official's driving down the wrong way then getting po when asked why (waterbottle can attest to this), glass bottles remain's on the tar, aftermath of a picnic site trashed by groups in cars. We as cyclists can do our bit but officials and vehicle drivers also need to do theirs [/quote'] Dead right Scotty and the park directors has admitted as such, hence why they are dealing with internal behaviour first before discussing the cyclist issue!
scotty Posted February 13, 2009 Posted February 13, 2009 Thanks Delgado would be a pity to loose the only safe place remaining to do any hill training.
Pom1 Posted February 14, 2009 Posted February 14, 2009 Was at S.Bos today we were patiently in the Queue waiting 4 7bells, when along come this beligerant Old Grandad wearing a NOLA cycling top, he ranted and raved with the security demanding to be let in so HE could park next to the gate where he would then get on his bike and ride the park. The Guard gave into him! Can we let these people ruin this haven for the rest of us? In addition whilst in the park I passed 6 cyclist riding down a one way the "wrong way" and a littered GU wrapper! Come on guys we need to pass the rules by word of mouth
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now