Hand Cycle on Beyers / Cycling on the West Rand

[BGS]

This is a bit of a two in one post.

 

I want to know how safe / unsafe it is to ride on Beyers Naude road.

 

I travel that road often to Muldersdrift (from Peter Rd through to just past Glen Burn) and I often see MTB'ers out and about, both on the road and off road. I also see roadies gathering up to ride every Saturday morning. I usually always see this in various spots along the road whilst on my way to Walkhaven as I take the dogs there every weekend.

 

This morning I was on my way to Walkhaven again at around 7.30am, and i had already gone over the Krugersdorp highway and was approaching the turn off to Glen Burn. Then i spotted a small figure up ahead and i could not make out what it was... it was a black blob on the side of the road (on the tar) and as i got nearer i could see it was moving. So now i was really stumped because had it been an animal of some sort it most likely would not have been moving in such a controlled and straight manner. Then i was able to make out two wheels but still i could not see anyone or anything.

 

I then got the shock of my life when i realised it was a dude / dudette on a hand cycle (i think this is what they are called?). It was a bike where he was laying almost flat on his back and using his arms to "pedal".

 

Heck i dont even have the confidence to ride on that road on my MTB, let alone this, so whoever you are... respect mate. What baffled me more was he/she was completely alone, not a single soul anywhere in sight.

 

What concerned me was the lack of visibility even though he did have a flag pole with a red flag. The flag needs to be a lot bigger and brighter. Either way, i guess this person has the confidence on the roads that i could only dream of having. The cars scare me silly.

 

So on that note, is this road ok to ride on? I also often see MTB people out and about along that road ALONE. Is that not asking for trouble? I cycle around my neighbourhood and the guys stand and stare at you and the bike and that makes me very uneasy even though it is in a built up neighbourhood. Then i see these people out on their bikes going past the Zandspruit location without a care in the world? What am i missing?

 

I live on the West Rand and would like to know where it is safe to get some tar miles in, any ideas? Going around the neighbourhood for km after km is getting a bit boring but going out onto Ontdekkers Road is a scary thought.

[WR 1.0]

You can probably go to the cradle like the rest of us, chances are you won't be alone. Just watch out for 1 or 2 of the locals that don't share our passion for cycling (you might get buzzed by a green 4x4)

[BGS]

Will i be accepted on a MTB on tar?

[WR 1.0]

That statement is probably all the reason someone would need to buzz you!

 

You can always pop in to Teak for a lap or 2 if the tar scares you too much!

Ride safe!

Edited December 31, 2010 by Darkwing Duck

[slowpoke]

BGS, unfortunately as a girl cycling alone will always be risky. BUT, that said, if you park at Teak and then just ride to the Rhino and Lion park and back (i know the level you're at and I know you can manage that) then you should be ok. then you can start to build on that distance back and forth along that road - and then just yell for me or someone to come ride with you to go further

[BGS]

BGS, unfortunately as a girl cycling alone will always be risky. BUT, that said, if you park at Teak and then just ride to the Rhino and Lion park and back (i know the level you're at and I know you can manage that) then you should be ok. then you can start to build on that distance back and forth along that road - and then just yell for me or someone to come ride with you to go further

 

A yelling will be incoming soon

[slowpoke]

A yelling will be incoming soon

 

 

 

(ps, i'm on leave till the 10th...)

[perry]

YEA Teak is the place to be