Bike jacking - R21 Engen

[Gravity Sux]

I did not join the hub before today but have visited it regularly particularly to check for security no go areas, hoping to avoid problems.

Unfortunately this morning (8am) a mate and I were attacked within 100m of the R21 (between Centurion and Kempton Park).  There were 4 atackers hiding in the grass and they they jumped out at us when we were so close that we could not react.  They were armed with pire wrench, grass slasher homemade knife and ?  I was targeted as I had a Camelback.  The one with the pipe wrench hit me twice on the head (Bell saved me there as I did not suffer any physical damage) and then once next to the knee when I was on the ground.  Also picked up a stab wound in the neck.  They made off with my Scott Spark (black with white / gold trim), my Camelback and my mates Titan (Red) - so if anyone offers this cheap to buy it and I will buy it back.

 

Lessons from this;

1. Stay away from that area.

2. There were 3 of us, one was far enough back that he could avoid the situation but even if there had been 10 we would have been in the sh*!t. When you are so close you can forget about fumbling for the pepper spray... your hands are in front of you to protect you from their weapons so... stay away fron the area.

 

Don's think there are enough emotions  to express off but the main thing is to warn other cyclists that this is now a no go area.  It is just a matter of time before there is another hit there.

[jagwil]

PLEASE contact Director Andre Wiese at Lyttleton Police and give him details.

[jagwil]

This makes me so angry that I forgot to wish you well and say I am glad you were not TOO seriously injured.

[Gravity Sux]

Definately will do.  Do you have contact details or do I just go along there and ask for him?

[jagwil]

Just sent you a PM with his cell number.

[slowpoke]

i am very glad that you are not seriously hurt. may karma get these b@stards and make them suffer for their actions

[MsBehavn]

I hate reading about stuff like this, GS.  We're "soft targets" for motorists (but we won't go there again!) AND these b@stards.  NOT COOL!!!

 

Hope you get your bike back and recover fully from your injuries.

[cat-i]

 

I

- so if anyone offers this cheap to buy it and I will buy it back.

 

 

please dont buy it back!

even if it IS yours - it's creating a market... 

 

 

 

[jagwil]

I have just started a NEW THREAD in the CYCLING SAFETY FORUM:

 

                              "POLICE PRESENCE in CENTURION"

[jagwil]

                     LET"S BECOME ACTIVE FOR OUR OWN SAFETY !!!!!!

[Gravity Sux]

I am not serious, I do not expect to ever see it again.  Just know that whoever ends up with it will not know what to do with it and if they do I hope their front wheel dropps out at speed

[Gravity Sux]

Sorry, the above reply was to cat-i

[Weight Weenie]

Glad you are okay man!

 

Problem with any robbery type situation is that you are not going into the situation prepared and with the intent to do something so even if you have mace etc they are on you before you can react.

 

You might laugh cause my nick is Weight Weenie but I must say that I think guys must start to try and not ride with camelbaks, this sounds stupid but all of the cases that I have read about on the hub about muggings the cyclist has been targeted because of wearing a camelbak and this gave the baddies a place to grab hold on him and take him down.  i think you might just be safer without one.

 

Also the big problem is that most people carry a cellphone and this is again in the camelbak, so the robbers are abviously after it as well as other peceived valuables in the bag.  So even though it tempting I think one must also not wear the phone or digi came etc on a pouch on the strap for all to see, its just attracting the wrong attention IMO.

 

Keep safe and wear those helmets!

[Wyatt Earp]

GS

 

 

 

This is real bad news, glad you are OK.

 

Where exactly did this happen ?

 

Is it the section of singletrack between the tunnel and the crossover road.

 

We were 2 riders in close proximity today as well and I felt very sorry for myself after having a huge crash after sliding over a hidden wet log, but sadly you had a worse day.

 

I hope you recover from the trauma soon.

[Capri Wheeler]

Really sorry to hear but glad you ok.

 

To elaborate on that point made about not wearing a camelback...if you need extra water you can get an adjustment that goes behind your saddle that can carry 2 extra water bottles.

 

[jagwil]

I have started a new thread under CYCLING SAFETY entitled POLICE PRESENCE in CENTURION.

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/33477-police-presence-in-centurion/