Cape Town danger areas

[Bateleur1]

I had a bit of an encounter on the new gravel bike path next to Annandale road (outside Stellenbosch) yesterday. A guy saw me coming (I mostly ride alone), jumped down the 2m verge and blocked the path. I saw him, and stopped about 20m short of him and asked what he wanted.

 

He started listing his Christmas list:

Food

water

a phone

.

.

.

 

Luckily, a passing motorist saw the scene unfolding and stopped. The guy took a look at the motorist and moved aside slightly. I took my chance and bolted past him, waving my sincere appreciation to the motorist. 

 

Definitely a new place to encounter trouble (and this was after I'd sh@t myself seeing a 1.5m snake an hour previously).

 

Should have taken the snake with you and give it to your new friend for christmas.

[Pure Savage]

I had a bit of an encounter on the new gravel bike path next to Annandale road (outside Stellenbosch) yesterday. A guy saw me coming (I mostly ride alone), jumped down the 2m verge and blocked the path. I saw him, and stopped about 20m short of him and asked what he wanted.

 

He started listing his Christmas list:

Food

water

a phone

.

.

.

 

Luckily, a passing motorist saw the scene unfolding and stopped. The guy took a look at the motorist and moved aside slightly. I took my chance and bolted past him, waving my sincere appreciation to the motorist. 

 

Definitely a new place to encounter trouble (and this was after I'd sh@t myself seeing a 1.5m snake an hour previously).

Flip, there are a few spots I have started avoiding due to this exact reason. 

 

Been bike jacked as a kid 3 times and its ***.

 

Glad you ok.

[Velouria]

Flip, there are a few spots I have started avoiding due to this exact reason. 

 

Been bike jacked as a kid 3 times and its ***.

 

Glad you ok.

To be fair, I think I could have taken him. Even though I've never thrown a punch in my life. It wouldn't have been pretty, but I was ready to let the fists of fury fly!

 

I was upwind, and it smelt like I'd crossed paths with a craft brewery still perfecting their brewing process. One well aimed shove and I'm sure he would have over-balance and fallen on his face.

 

And tying in with the chat we're having on the other thread, this was me mountain biking. I feel much safer on the road, even with no shoulder! Motorists, in general are decent people. Some of my best friends are motorists.

[Dadbod Racing]

I did the Newlands trail, behind Kirstenbosch to Constantia Nek two weekends ago and did it earlier yesterday morning again. It was a spur of the moment thing so went solo and on both occasions I saw a guy walking alone beanie on the head, backpack jeans etc.... Now I don't want to stereotype here but why the hell would you wear a beanie in summer in Cape Town? also if you're out for a hike then wear some comfortable shorts or those dodgy pants that zip off then become shorts... either way those guys sent a chill down my spine. Two weeks ago I just bombed the climb at the beginning. Yesterday I stopped as there was another rider on the path and I offered to ride with him but he something about he's too slow yadda yadda yadda so I had to ride past the ill dressed walker but then waited further up to see if my slow MTBer made it past ill dressed walker. 

[Velouria]

I did the Newlands trail, behind Kirstenbosch to Constantia Nek two weekends ago and did it earlier yesterday morning again. It was a spur of the moment thing so went solo and on both occasions I saw a guy walking alone beanie on the head, backpack jeans etc.... Now I don't want to stereotype here but why the hell would you wear a beanie in summer in Cape Town? also if you're out for a hike then wear some comfortable shorts or those dodgy pants that zip off then become shorts... either way those guys sent a chill down my spine. Two weeks ago I just bombed the climb at the beginning. Yesterday I stopped as there was another rider on the path and I offered to ride with him but he something about he's too slow yadda yadda yadda so I had to ride past the ill dressed walker but then waited further up to see if my slow MTBer made it past ill dressed walker. 

Don't you dare knock those pants! I have 3 pairs and love them (although I think I have only ever unzipped the legs once in 10 years!).

 

Don't you guys on that side have Table Mountain cops or something that you can call? Good on you for waiting for the slow guy - we're so busy fighting with each other on the Hub that we often forget that we're in all in this together...

[Dadbod Racing]

Don't you dare knock those pants! I have 3 pairs and love them (although I think I have only ever unzipped the legs once in 10 years!).

 

Don't you guys on that side have Table Mountain cops or something that you can call? Good on you for waiting for the slow guy - we're so busy fighting with each other on the Hub that we often forget that we're in all in this together...

 

Sorry I knocked your pants dude, the only reason I knocked them was cause I have a pair too and also once decided "hey let me unzip this and use the shorts" well lets say it didn't last long I don't think I even finished unzipping the shorts bit to realise that this was wrong. It would have looked like those rugby shorts the guys used to wear at school in the 90's, you know the one that only covers 37% of your legs, the same shorts that should you not wear undies could leave you a little exposed when sitting down! 

 

Not sure about the Table Mountain cops I know there are emergency numbers on the direction boards (Just made a mental note to save the number in my phone next time I'm up there). 

 

I ride with Pepper Spray but I've never used it before and also don't know how I would react in the situation. I do know that when I saw said ill dressed walkers I was very alert and I may have over reacted and swore at a squirrel running between trees. 

[Meezo]

I did the Newlands trail, behind Kirstenbosch to Constantia Nek two weekends ago and did it earlier yesterday morning again. It was a spur of the moment thing so went solo and on both occasions I saw a guy walking alone beanie on the head, backpack jeans etc.... Now I don't want to stereotype here but why the hell would you wear a beanie in summer in Cape Town? also if you're out for a hike then wear some comfortable shorts or those dodgy pants that zip off then become shorts... either way those guys sent a chill down my spine. Two weeks ago I just bombed the climb at the beginning. Yesterday I stopped as there was another rider on the path and I offered to ride with him but he something about he's too slow yadda yadda yadda so I had to ride past the ill dressed walker but then waited further up to see if my slow MTBer made it past ill dressed walker.

Snap a picture of him if you can next time.

 

Twitter or Facebook it to PPA Table Mountain Bikers and Sanparks

 

Also if you don't have it safe the Sanparks number on your phone, call them when you see anything suspicious.

 

It's ok for you to stereotype but better for them to come check it out

[Velouria]

Sorry I knocked your pants dude, the only reason I knocked them was cause I have a pair too and also once decided "hey let me unzip this and use the shorts" well lets say it didn't last long I don't think I even finished unzipping the shorts bit to realise that this was wrong. It would have looked like those rugby shorts the guys used to wear at school in the 90's, you know the one that only covers 37% of your legs, the same shorts that should you not wear undies could leave you a little exposed when sitting down! 

 

Not sure about the Table Mountain cops I know there are emergency numbers on the direction boards (Just made a mental note to save the number in my phone next time I'm up there). 

 

I ride with Pepper Spray but I've never used it before and also don't know how I would react in the situation. I do know that when I saw said ill dressed walkers I was very alert and I may have over reacted and swore at a squirrel running between trees. 

Wow - my exact same experience. I felt a little uncomfortable exposing so much leg (as a cyclist, I shave my legs, but I'm too lazy to go all the way up) and risk exposing my hairy upper thighs! And then there the sock issue. I (obviously) wear "long pants socks" when wearing those pants, but if you zip off the legs, you're now wearing "long pants socks" with short shorts and hairy thighs. The awkwardness is unbearable! And that's without even bringing the missing undies into the equation!

 

I've heard that pepper spray is standard cycling equipment that side. I've been tempted for years to get, not for the dodgy guys wanting to rob us, but for the aggressive Fortuner drivers that are always so keen to stop after you've blown them a kiss (I don't flip motorists the bird when they endanger me, I blow them kisses). After yesterday's ride, I might have another reason to get some pepper spray.

 

Rather overreaction than a nasty experience.

[Bateleur1]

Wow - my exact same experience. I felt a little uncomfortable exposing so much leg (as a cyclist, I shave my legs, but I'm too lazy to go all the way up) and risk exposing my hairy upper thighs! And then there the sock issue. I (obviously) wear "long pants socks" when wearing those pants, but if you zip off the legs, you're now wearing "long pants socks" with short shorts and hairy thighs. The awkwardness is unbearable! And that's without even bringing the missing undies into the equation!

 

I've heard that pepper spray is standard cycling equipment that side. I've been tempted for years to get, not for the dodgy guys wanting to rob us, but for the aggressive Fortuner drivers that are always so keen to stop after you've blown them a kiss (I don't flip motorists the bird when they endanger me, I blow them kisses). After yesterday's ride, I might have another reason to get some pepper spray.

 

Rather overreaction than a nasty experience.

 

You guys are giving "Cape Town danger areas" a whole new meaning ... #JustSaying 

[Dadbod Racing]

Wow - my exact same experience. I felt a little uncomfortable exposing so much leg (as a cyclist, I shave my legs, but I'm too lazy to go all the way up) and risk exposing my hairy upper thighs! And then there the sock issue. I (obviously) wear "long pants socks" when wearing those pants, but if you zip off the legs, you're now wearing "long pants socks" with short shorts and hairy thighs. The awkwardness is unbearable! And that's without even bringing the missing undies into the equation!

 

I've heard that pepper spray is standard cycling equipment that side. I've been tempted for years to get, not for the dodgy guys wanting to rob us, but for the aggressive Fortuner drivers that are always so keen to stop after you've blown them a kiss (I don't flip motorists the bird when they endanger me, I blow them kisses). After yesterday's ride, I might have another reason to get some pepper spray.

 

Rather overreaction than a nasty experience.

 

        "Long pants socks" 

[DJR]

Should have taken the snake with you and give it to your new friend for christmas.

I have a couple of rubber snakes somewhere in my camping kit. We used it to keep baboons and monkeys away from out camp sites.......except that it doesn't work very well. Perhaps I'll dig out a nice big fat one to keep in my cycling shirt pocket........to be pulled out in case of emergency! 

[bj horn]

Protests around Clifton this afternoon.Time to do some hills over Kloofnek rd or Geneva Drive.Traffic going to be a nightmare.Be careful out there

[lechatnoir]

Protests around Clifton this afternoon.Time to do some hills over Kloofnek rd or Geneva Drive.Traffic going to be a nightmare.Be careful out there

 

rode through there on Christmas day - was taxing... or taxi-ing... was pretty stressful and not much fun

[lenzman]

I want to list every traffic circle in the Cape Town area as dangerous.

 

First bicycle or car in the traffic circle has the right of way.

[Kranswurm]

I want to list every traffic circle in the Cape Town area as dangerous.

 

First bicycle or car in the traffic circle has the right of way.

???

I think its give way to the right...unless specifically signposted to give way to the left..like off Paradise towards Cavendish,which is the only one I have ever seen

[ChrisF]

???

I think its give way to the right...unless specifically signposted to give way to the left..like off Paradise towards Cavendish,which is the only one I have ever seen

 

biggest bumper has the right of way ....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

some seriously bad driving out there at the moment !!