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Joburg danger areas


Evan Andreou

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I used to ride the spruit alone every morning from FPC to Emmerentia and back and never had any problems...the biggest pain i had was crossing william nicole at the bottom of republic at 8am. Way i see it is be silent and quick that way no-one gets the chance to jump out before you're gone.

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  • 6 months later...
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Welcome to South Africa Warumund. Same rules everywhere in our beautiful country: stay clear of open fields, avoid late nights and early mornings on your own and ....cycle very fast so no one can catch you(joking). Dont cycle with expensive/"wanted" items.

Think at the moment your greatest threat are the cars... so wise up in that area too. Never assume they see you or will give you right of way... even if your on the shoulders, grass, sidewalk. I run on the sidewalks/grass in Randpark Ridge/Boskruin and can confirm cars as my biggest threat.

 

Nice places to for mtb in the area are: Northern Farms (Fourways, northernfarm.co.za), Teakplace (teaksports.co.za), Hennopsriver, Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, Kloofzight, Groenkloof (Pretoria, but nice technical rides with giraffe & zebra)...and many many more when you google it. Best you hook up with some mtb'ers and schedule joint rides/drives to the venues.

 

We have some of the prettiest and best mtb spots in the world.

beautiful country and all the 'stay away from' areas? Kind of a contradiction in terms?

PS. I'm hardly referring to the picturesque angle here.

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Hi,

 

New to the site, I am keen rider, and live on the Westrand.

 

I just heard about an attack on a fellow Mtb'er in the Silverstar area. (apparently in the tracks behind silverstar Casino)

 

Happened Yesterday afternoon before 5pm. The rider was stabbed (seven times) by an individual with Dreadlocks, he was also robbed of his bike. Luckily his cellphone was not taken and he was able to call for help. Currently in the hospital, where he will soon be undergoing surgery to repair some of the Damage - Punctured lung etc.

 

Please take care, don't ride alone.

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Hi,

 

New to the site, I am keen rider, and live on the Westrand.

 

I just heard about an attack on a fellow Mtb'er in the Silverstar area. (apparently in the tracks behind silverstar Casino)

 

Happened Yesterday afternoon before 5pm. The rider was stabbed (seven times) by an individual with Dreadlocks, he was also robbed of his bike. Luckily his cellphone was not taken and he was able to call for help. Currently in the hospital, where he will soon be undergoing surgery to repair some of the Damage - Punctured lung etc.

 

Please take care, don't ride alone.

 

Hectic stuff. Keep us updated if you hear more.

 

Oh, and welcome to the hub.

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3 pages off bad and sad news ... must admit I dont feel safe cycling anywhere these days. Just what is it we need to do to simply be able to ride a bicycle down the road without being run over or attacked ? :(

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hi guys, just moved up to jhb from kzn, wondering how safe it would be riding alone at the mtn cycle park? live just around the corner so nice and close.

 

Thanks

 

You moved from the land of sunshine to the dark land of angry people? :o

Eish, sorry man.

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Pretoria- Groenkloof never seem to have issues, however Fountains (next door) do have lots of gaps in the fencing (?) and is known for incidents, especially in the forrest sections. Only groups +5!

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I think the Spruit section from Fratelli's to Emmerentia is pretty safe, in all the rides there only had 1 dodgy character approach me and then I turned the other way ....

 

When riding alone I never go through the Hurlingham section, from Republic to Fratelli's, It is so over grown and there are guys living in the bush there, it doesn't feel safe.

 

Does anybody know when and where the last incidents on the Spruit where?

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  • 1 month later...

Dangle, Carpet and I went for a ride this morning when we came across a lady who just got robbed at gun point. Midrand Police, area security and locals were quick to respond and search the field for two thugs. They were caught after searching for approximately 40 minutes, hiding in the bush. They assaulted the young black lady by pushing and kicking her to the ground, grabbed her handbag and fled into the bush. Police found a knife on one of the assailants and were still searching the area for the gun when we left. They also found her bag and the money that were taken from the bag. We instantly recognized one of the thugs from last weeks ride as we were almost bike jacked by him and a buddy of his, fortunately we caught them by surprise and there were a few of us riding in a group. The bold one has a scar under his left eye with old stitch marks and his partner in crime is quit tall with very distinctive markings on his face and very very arrogant. Have a look if you recognize either of them. They'll be getting a free meal and a cold cement bed at the Police station for the weekend. Hopefully the police will find the gun so that they can be locked away for a long time.

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Hopefully they will get the opportunity to bend over in their cell before they are realeased tomorrow and then maybe also pickup up something permanent to take home .

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my standard issue bike gear is a can of pepper spray a knife as well as a .40 GLOCK so either is kill or be killed

 

I'd love to know how you carry a Glock while riding ? I wear my H&K pretty much everywhere else but haven't found a solution that is comfy, safe and unnoticeable

on the bike yet. Perhaps I should just chuck the garmin and mount the gun on the stem... :angry:

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  • 4 months later...
  • 7 months later...

From Twitter:

 

@MarkGStacey: Attempted hijack on spruit this morning. Guy in baggy blue-grey waist length trench coat, carrying steel pipe in sleeves. @PigSpotter

 

@MarkGStacey: Btw thanks to the unknown rider who helped me try to chase down the guy. No thanks to the cops I flagged down who showed no interest

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