THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN
RIDING IN DE WILDT
Due to this area being very popular for outrides, there has been a dramatic increase of
bikes and quads using the trails in this area. In the last couple of months more
accidents have happened as riders are travelling up & down the same tracks which have
cause some head on collisions. Riders that have been riding here for years have
become more aware of this situation and hopefully anticipate oncoming traffic to avoid
accidents. I would like to say that there is general consensus about the following:
Tar Road leading to/from 3 Fences
There is a new tar road that has been constructed just west of the MX section
which leads to 3 Fences. Local Councillors have asked that we refrain from using
this road as it has been constructed with a very low budget. The local
municipality
is worried that the frequent use of this road section will lead to a faster deterioration
of the road. There are a number of side tracks which are available to the off road
community.
3 Fences River
If you are riding down 3 Fences (direction of flow) then this is generally done in the
mornings. If you want to ride up 3 Fences from the Ramogatla Shop then this is
generally done in the afternoons. Please be aware that this will also depend on the
route you are travelling from and where you have parked your vehicle.
The Loop
This is a circular section that has lots of twists and turns. This section is usually done
in an anti-clockwise direction.
Technical Sections
When doing technical sections and you stop to have a breather/break please
move off the riding path as other bikes or quads may come through. If you park all
over place it is difficult for other riders to get through so that they can carry on with
their ride.
Keep Left
When you come across riders from the front then please keep left, (Most
important rule of the road) and so for trail riding as well. Hopefully this will
minimize head on collisions.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT A
RIDER MUST ALWAYS ANTICIPATE THAT THERE MIGHT BE RIDERS COMING FROM THE FRONT. IF
SO, FLAG DOWN EACH GROUP AND INFORM THEM OF HOW MANY RIDERS ARE COMING THROUGH. DE
WILDT IS NOT A RACE TRACK - IT IS TRAIL RIDING. IF YOU WANT TO WACK IT IN THE FAST
SECTIONS THEN DO SO WITH RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPECT FOR OTHER RIDERS.
Please read the information below as it may
concern you:
As we all know, good riding areas are becoming
increasingly under threat and many have already been lost due to various reasons, from
development to abuse.
With this in mind, Butch Hirsch and myself (Gary Franks) welcomed the opportunity to meet
with Municipal Counsellor Maleta, the PR authority for the Madibeng Municipality - this is
the area into which De Wildt falls. Butch kindly offered the use of his helicopter to let
the Counsellor point out sensitive areas from a bird's eye-view.
It turns out that Mr. Maleta is a very reasonable gentleman, and a very productive meeting
ensued. The long and short of it is that the local
authorities actually welcome the bikers in the area as, for some reason, it seems to keep
the crime level in the area down! This was good news indeed!
They would like to keep a good relationship going between themselves, the locals and us,
the bikers. Also good!
The immediate problem is 2 or 3 roads which we need to stay off completely!
The one is a new tar road which, for some reason I can't fathom, quads and bikes have been
using to get to the "3 fences" riverbed. Why would anyone choose to ride a quad
or a dirt bike on tar when there is a sand road option? The pics will hopefully help you
identify which road it is, but let me explain as well.
After the "Red Sands" or "Pipeline" sections, many head for 3 fences.
You should cross the tar road at the end of the pipeline road and head along the
twin-track road towards the beacon. Some are choosing to rather go down to the T-junction
and turn left onto the tar road to get to the beacon. The problem is this tar road is a
very cheaply built road and has already shown signs of damage from the off road tyres.
Guys, whatever the reason is, there is a perfectly good option open to us - let's use it
and respect their wishes!
The 2nd problem follows on closely. Where the beacon is, we usually turn left to travel
down the long boring straight road to the start of 3 fences, then right into the riverbed
just before the bridge. From now on we are to not turn left onto this road. Rather
continue straight past the beacon for about 1.4 km's and then turn left, which will take
us into the "Twisty Riverbed", which leads to 3 fences. The other access road to
Twisty River, which runs right past some farm-houses, should not be used at all.
The 3rd one is apparently used by quads who travel down the previously mentioned long
boring road to the start of 3 fences, but they go past the bridge and then turn right onto
the next sand road (maybe because the early parts of 3 fences are not quad friendly?)
Sorry guys, they don't want us to use this road either - you need to find another way that
does not take you right past homes!
What is really impressive is the Counsellor has taken a very friendly approach to this
situation and would like to work with us rather than against. He has agreed to discuss in
his monthly meetings with his team, any problems we might experience eg. wire tied across
the trail, shootings etc - to see how they can assist us! This is refreshing, especially
when compared with other municipalities where they have arrested bikers, confiscated bikes
etc!
  
If you would like me to add anything to this section then give me an email with the details. |
