Tokai and Silvermine to remain closed to the public

I spoke to a friend of mine who lives up in Zwaanswyk..Apparently some folks are entering the restricted areas along the Zwaanswyk boundary.Residents have been warned they face a R15000 fine for entering the area and they might loose the access gate from Zwaanswyk into the lower area for future use.

Long term Rainfall forcast

 

The forecasting system is showing a tendency of wetter late-autumn season for the south-western part of South Africa with a likelihood of well above normal rainfall conditions. As we go to the winter season the probabilities for above-normal rainfall condition is persisting.

Looks like it's going to be a wet winter for the Peninsula

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I spoke to a friend of mine who lives up in Zwaanswyk..Apparently some folks are entering the restricted areas along the Zwaanswyk boundary.Residents have been warned they face a R15000 fine for entering the area and they might loose the access gate from Zwaanswyk into the lower area for future use.

From our info the fine is R2,500. Can't see how it'll be different for them.

I don't care for all the politics - I just want to ride.

I also care for riding, but I care more for our mountain.

Can't seem to see the why the place is closed for safety reasons.. loggers are busy there with heavy machinery.. Wot impact does our bikes have on the environment..

Can't seem to see the why the place is closed for safety reasons.. loggers are busy there with heavy machinery.. Wot impact does our bikes have on the environment..

1. Because they don't want one of those logging trucks going right over a cyclist. SA Pine has to cut the remaining trees ASAP or the timber will be spoilt. So, no time to waste. Have you noticed in the past how riders ignored their no entry signs and safety tape and ride straight through the danger area? No wonder they are now uptight!

2. Even where they are not cutting, every burnt standing tree is a potential hazard. We don't want it to fall on you. Gum trees are particularly prone to dropping huge branches after burning. They make a nasty mess of a cyclist at the wrong place at the wrong time.

3. We don't do any harm ?(Look at it from SANParks side.) Have you seen how many ILLEGAL tracks "we" have built up there! Do you think it will now be different and that riders won't be naughty? Parks sure think not and with "our" track record I cannot blame them!

4. Basically, until Parks is happy that it is safe for us and for the mountain, we have to stay out. Piss them off and it might NEVER be opened. Not worth the risk.

Can't seem to see the why the place is closed for safety reasons.. loggers are busy there with heavy machinery.. Wot impact does our bikes have on the environment..

Loggers are busy with heavy machinery and you can't see how that could, maybe, not be optimally safe and possibly a little bit dangerous?

Long term Rainfall forcast

LTF AMJ 2015.jpg

 

EUBNF AMJ 2015 copy.jpg

 

 

Looks like it's going to be a wet winter for the Peninsula

Chapman's Peak tolling concessionaire must have all fingers crossed the nets are enough. Apart from the obvious lack of vegetation, the rocks that have cracked as a result of expansion must be quite a worry. Last thing they need is for the nets to be silted up after the first rain.

I don't see SA Parks working up in Tokai forest????

Maybe we all cyclists have strike or march up to Manor House to demand to use it sooner..

I don't see SA Parks working up in Tokai forest????

 

Maybe we all cyclists have strike or march up to Manor House to demand to use it sooner..

that will accomplish precisely nothing. 

Please, let the committee do the job we are being charged with. We are in constant communication with them, and are working to get in as soon as possible. 

I eagerly await with patience!!! Meanwhile I am suffering withdrawal as Tygerberg is just too far away for midweek rides

I don't see SA Parks working up in Tokai forest????

 

Maybe we all cyclists have strike or march up to Manor House to demand to use it sooner..

There's no point in having a 'protest' there as there's nothing to loot... 

Side note - have you ever seen a mass action (strike) have its desired effect after short term action?

There's no point in having a 'protest' there as there's nothing to loot... 

 

Side note - have you ever seen a mass action (strike) have its desired effect after short term action?

100% 

We're looking long term here. 

there's thousands of others in the same boat. Patience paduwan

I don't see SA Parks working up in Tokai forest????

 

Maybe we all cyclists have strike or march up to Manor House to demand to use it sooner..

Where is the dislike button?

Doing a protest march is a bit like unemployed people striking for jobs. Not really gonna accomplish much....

Being on the trails is a privilege, not a right. The least we can do is support Sanparks and Cape Pine in what must still be a very sensitive time for them.

Being on the trails is a privilege, not a right. The least we can do is support Sanparks and Cape Pine in what must still be a very sensitive time for them.

With respect, I disagree.

Everybody has a right to be on the trails - that was part of the deal in granting Sanparks the privilege to manage the park. the rights are not an unfettered rights and it has to be exercised with regard to the rights and obligations of all other users. In particular given the natural disaster of late and the urgent need to harvest the trees - no issue there.

At the same time Sanparks has primarily an OBLIGATION to manage the park, for which they receive remuneration/ revenue.

I would argue that in not providing an alternative plan to an already overutilised Tokai/ Silvermine area (which was brought to their attention for years), they have now placed themselves in a very tricky position re Table Mountain which is now experiencing an overuse - which just speaks to poor, reactive management and exercise of their obligations. 

As far as I am aware Sanparks only action re Table Mountain has been an attempt to now enforce the use of Activity cards in this area. Whether this is an attempt to recover revenue ( I doubt, as nobody would now buy an activity card - other than an Epic entrant) or rather the fact that they have woken up to the major environmental impact Peninsula mtb is having a on a very limited portion of the mountain.

To my mind it speaks of dereliction of responsibility and obligation by Sanaparks who should have had plan B in place.

With respect, I disagree.

 

Everybody has a right to be on the trails - that was part of the deal in granting Sanparks the privilege to manage the park. the rights are not an unfettered rights and it has to be exercised with regard to the rights and obligations of all other users. In particular given the natural disaster of late and the urgent need to harvest the trees - no issue there.

 

At the same time Sanparks has primarily an OBLIGATION to manage the park, for which they receive remuneration/ revenue.

 

I would argue that in not providing an alternative plan to an already overutilised Tokai/ Silvermine area (which was brought to their attention for years), they have now placed themselves in a very tricky position re Table Mountain which is now experiencing an overuse - which just speaks to poor, reactive management and exercise of their obligations.

 

As far as I am aware Sanparks only action re Table Mountain has been an attempt to now enforce the use of Activity cards in this area. Whether this is an attempt to recover revenue ( I doubt, as nobody would now buy an activity card - other than an Epic entrant) or rather the fact that they have woken up to the major environmental impact Peninsula mtb is having a on a very limited portion of the mountain.

 

To my mind it speaks of dereliction of responsibility and obligation by Sanaparks who should have had plan B in place.

The right to access is restricted to being on foot. Anything else is considered an activity and as such is a privilege.

Just so I dont come across as only moaning about this, I would suggest the following (and I am delighted to hear that currently concerted efforts are being made with all stakeholders to open up other areas.)

The areas which could be opened immediately for use I would see as follows:

• Lower sections of Cecilia from Constantia through to Hohenort - put up signage advising users to share the jeep track - lets educate rather than be heavy handed. By all means if you are caught riding outside of this designated area, then prosecute in terms of NEMA etc. 
• The area above Camps Bay/ Rontree, again signage to educate riders re dog walkers etc
• Signal Hill, the areas which were ridden for years - put up decent signage to ensure people have no excuse to know where they may and may not be.
• Open Wapad/ Silvermine both sides asap, again proper signage, you stray off the jeep tracks and you pay - likewise if you are an inconsiderate user, then you are ostracised in some way or other to demonstrate that mtb is serious about working with all other people who have rights.
• Constantia greenbelts: open up limited areas, again good signage, try and create the transition everyone is looking for which links up to Cecilia and then on to Newlands. Its happening already more and more each night as I drive home I see loads of people trying to get to Newlands, lets just make it certain and safer.

Note: none of the above suggests singletrack - at this stage is about getting people off the roads and into legitimate riding areas where they can ride/ train and we can use this time to build relationships with other stakeholders such as dog walkers. (A campaign to ride with a bell could be a good idea).

The right to access is restricted to being on foot. Anything else is considered an activity and as such is a privilege.

I would agree that Sanparks "consider" it as such and hence they treat it like that. But I would argue that mtb has a right, certainly not an unfettered one. I am open to correction.

But maybe the argument should be more about being an entrenched stakeholder.

Tubed.

You pay a lot of attention to signage and prosecution. You would almost be saying the the mtb'er can't be trusted and for those who still don't respond to penalty, should face a sentence tougher than law.

Then you go on to say that you only want to share wide jeep track where we can build on relationships with all users. You, in the space of one paragraph, now trust the mtb'er to grant you your wish? Maybe today you will get 100 likes and 50 shares. wishlists generate a lot of enthusiasm..

From placing a sign at every entry, exit, intersection, and with several reminders along the way warning of penalty for not obeying the rules in existence since 2002 - to the warm and fuzzies by accepting second best with the hope of building relationships by the same group for which every sign is intended, is quite a leap of faith that after a year your signs are still respected and that new trails have not popped up along the way.

The reality is that this is all currently underway but at every point and turn in the road, there is always someone who cannot apply even the slightest bit of restraint when trying to "convert" the other users - like swearing at a 72 year old lady and showing her the finger in your branded cycling kit. (I met her btw). Or screaming inches passed a group of walkers with children (I met them too). Or building illegally because your 'only sharing' status sets a precedent for another lengthy timeframe before money is raised and an opportunity is available to us again. (How long should be be prepared to share?)

You could be forgiven for think everyone will respect your campaign in a year because today, on paper, it looks fantastic and for that I will like your two posts above.

OR, are you saying that every mtb'er should now try a new shift in thinking and respect the wishes of those working to make reality what you propose? Let's hope you have better luck or maybe the circumstance is now prime with all the closures for each to finally "give it a go". You have my support!

Wait wait wait,

I am very much for signage, but basic signage so that it does not interfere with the feng shui 

but to have something like  is not cool at all