Cape Town danger areas

[Cippo]

[Cippo]

I ride that route alone most days from Woodstock on my own usually late morning or afternoon. Weekend rides atleast I’m usually with a group. The informal settlement along that bridge needs attention from City. It’s not safe either going down Albert rd towards town also as there have been incidents under bridge near castle. 

[Sir Name]

Hi everyone. Just a tale of caution about Wynberg Main Road.

I was cycling through there this morning at 5 am when three guys started running across the street at the traffic light just below Mainard Mall. There were no cars or people around, although I had just passed two stationary police cars, which now lay about 100 meters behind me. The guy closest to me sprinted hard towards me and rammed his knee into my thigh to throw me off the bike. I was going about 30 kph. I wobbled hard and started screaming and put all my force into the pedals as the fear started kicking in. The guy about 5 to 10 metres behind him up the road went towards my throat/shoulders, but I twisted my shoulder towards him and rammed into his chest that way. I managed to stay on the bike somehow and put all the power I had left into getting up the hill without them catching up to me. The third guy was too far off on the other lane. They were all wearing black or dark clothes, with hoods drawn closed. I couldn't see any faces at all. They had planned this attack, and I think it's safe to assume they have done this before together. They only made small noises amongst each other while trying to mug me; they didn't use any words. I felt like a wild animal being hunted. Anyway, I was bloody lucky; I realise that. I take no credit for my actions; it was all pure instinct, although maybe some Ninjitsu training from years ago did kick in—needless to say, nothing bicycle-related, ha ha. Anyway, this was a planned attack by some pretty cold-blooded thugs who expected a quick win, executed within eyesight and earshot of the police. Be careful out there. 

[MORNE]

Sell the road bikes and come ride mtb on closed trail networks. MTB’ers rag on roadies a lot but we’ll accept you with open arms ☺️. Some of these stories, and my own incidents are the reason i don't ride on the roads anymore. Not worth it.

I want to enjoy the act of riding my bike without feeling naked, covered in blood while running through the Kruger park making distress noises…

[Mook]

40 minutes ago, MORNE said:

Sell the road bikes and come ride mtb on closed trail networks. MTB’ers rag on roadies a lot but we’ll accept you with open arms ☺️. Some of these stories, and my own incidents are the reason i don't ride on the roads anymore. Not worth it.

I want to enjoy the act of riding my bike without feeling naked, covered in blood while running through the Kruger park making distress noises…

We live too close to Africa ...........................

[Reg Lizard]

On 11/1/2024 at 5:57 PM, ChrisF said:

Got a nice reply from Liz at PPA.

 

1. They have reported it to the MEC Mobility, as it is a provincial road.

2. They are following up.

 

 

Thank you Liz and PPA.  

Wrong Department. Roads Infrastructure/provincial roads fall under the Department of Infrastructure.

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Reg Lizard said:

Wrong Department. Roads Infrastructure/provincial roads fall under the Department of Infrastructure.

 

Kindly update to PPA, for future issues.

 

 

PS - the relevant department was on site yesterday, we trust this is now resolved.

[Prince Albert Cycles]

I followed a Dutch bikepacker Thijs Pankras on Strava who has just finished his 11000 km ride through Africa in Cape Town . His Strava ride yesterday of 101 km mentions that someone in his group was violently robbed ?
The day before he joked that he was relocating to Stellenbosch after riding with some guys there.

Now we won’t see him again .

[mikkelz]

From the comments on his Strava activity:

Quote

When driving into Capetown on the N1 and turning left onto M176 at lower church street. When riding onto that bridge and your speed is a bit lower, they come from the left out of the bushes and got the last rider in the group…

https://m.strava.com/activities/12867289736

[Jbr]

2 hours ago, mikkelz said:

From the comments on his Strava activity:

https://m.strava.com/activities/12867289736

I've noticed people do this sometimes, I usually just pin it on the n1 all the way instead of taking the ramps off and back on the N1 again

[babse]

22 minutes ago, Jbr said:

I've noticed people do this sometimes, I usually just pin it on the n1 all the way instead of taking the ramps off and back on the N1 again

That exact turn around point is the current hot spot... Saw those ****ers lurking behind the barrier 😤

[Links MTB]

Another attempted bike-jacking on Helshoogte over the weekend!! Seems a lot lower down on Helshoogte than where my wife was bike-jacked earlier this year. This was shared by a cyclist friend of mine who got it off one of the cycling groups he's on: 

"Sunday morning at about 8h20 I was starting up Helshoogte. About 50 meters past the speed cameras two males were sitting idly on the barrier railing. As I approached, I got the feeling that they look suspect. I took my pepper spray (stream, not mist) out and kept it in my hand. I passed the first guy without incident, but as I got to the second guy (10 meters further) he stood up and rushed at me with n knife. Since the pepper spray was already in my hand it only took a second to start spraying at this chest and face. He was clearly taken aback by the sudden action and jumped over the barrier and stood there. I kept spraying in his direction and gave him the %@&$ a good piece of my worst vocabulary. Best thing to do if you see dodgy guys just hanging out near a dangerous spot, is to go to the other side of the road. Stay safe out there."

[ChrisF]

16 minutes ago, Links MTB said:

.... Best thing to do if you see dodgy guys just hanging out near a dangerous spot, is to go to the other side of the road. Stay safe out there."

 

^^^ THIS ^^^

[HristoZA]

Seriously frustrating. Stellenbosch has some of the best riding, but every entrance except polka seems to have consistent muggings. 

[MORNE]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

^^^ THIS ^^^

Thats what i did….and i still got bike jacked, but on the other side of the road😝😒…

Best thing is to not be in a known hotspot, alone, in the first place. Thats the only reason why i follow this thread. To know where NOT to ride anymore. I’m over it. I ride bikes because i want to relax. There is no relaxing when riding on the road anymore.  

if they decide they want to get you, those few meter extra probably don't mean much. Especially when travelling up hill. Thats a tried and tested M.O. thats how they got me even after i went to the other side of the road. 

Thinking about my bike incident again….the skollie doing his best Pythagoran theory while now sprinting full speed with a knife overhead to intercept you….is way scarier than a guy casually walking into your path,  showing you he has a knife and telling you to give them your crap. This has also happened to me before while on foot, and although it also sucked….it was all pretty ‘civil’ compared to being flanked and chased down by an idiot wielding a knife, fully intent on using it as a means to get me on the floor.

[Skubarra]

33 minutes ago, MORNE said:

Thats what i did….and i still got bike jacked, but on the other side of the road😝😒…

Best thing is to not be in a known hotspot, alone, in the first place. Thats the only reason why i follow this thread. To know where NOT to ride anymore. I’m over it. I ride bikes because i want to relax. There is no relaxing when riding on the road anymore.  

if they decide they want to get you, those few meter extra probably don't mean much. Especially when travelling up hill. Thats a tried and tested M.O. thats how they got me even after i went to the other side of the road. 

Thinking about my bike incident again….the skollie doing his best Pythagoran theory while now sprinting full speed with a knife overhead to intercept you….is way scarier than a guy casually walking into your path,  showing you he has a knife and telling you to give them your crap. This has also happened to me before while on foot, and although it also sucked….it was all pretty ‘civil’ compared to being flanked and chased down by an idiot wielding a knife, fully intent on using it as a means to get me on the floor.

Have to agree with you - other side is not going to be of any help, especially on a climb like Hels. Best to turn around and wait for others if you really have to cycle that way. Or even better join a group and dont cycle alone. If nothing else it will improve your odds...