Go ride this
Here’s how to connect with a one-of-a-kind tourism gem that should be on every South African’s local travel bucket list … And just so you know, Eelco rides an e-bike, and you’re welcome to plug into some battery-powered backup.
GETTING THERE:
Drive north on the M1 highway and take the Glenhove Road offramp before turning right onto Venus Street. Take the first exit at the second traffic circle onto Victoria Avenue and keep left at the T-junction onto North Street. At the next T-junction, turn left onto Oxford Road and right onto Bompas Road, continuing for 1.3km to Dunkeld West Centre on your right.
GPS – S: 26° 07’ 50.1” / E: O 28° 02’ 04.8”
GRAFFITI COFFEE RIDE OPTIONS
GRAFFITI WALLS PRIVATE RIDES
These rides are suited to smaller groups or families keen on a more personalised graffiti tour. Crank from Dunkeld West via the northern suburbs on a tour of 30-plus worldclass graffiti walls. You’ll be in the saddle for two to three hours, with both regular MTBs and e-bikes welcome.
People riding normal bikes need to be relatively fit and can book any day of the week. From R120 to 150 per person; groups of three to seven people.
There are three routes: Route A meanders through Rosebank and the northern suburbs of Saxonwold, Forest Town, Parkview and Greenside (22km). Route B passes via Melville and Westdene and is approximately 26km. Route C includes Norwood, Munro Drive, Upper Houghton, Louis Botha S Bend and Sandton City (32km).
MONTHLY GRAFFITI SUNDAY RIDES
Again, there are three potential routes, with the addition of a sweep vehicle as backup, plus two motorbike marshals for the two inner city routes. Groups are restricted to 16 riders. The ride starts from Fournos Bakery at the Dunkeld West Centre, on the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Bompas Road.
The cost works out to R185 to R265 per person, with rides starting at 7am on the first Sunday of every month. Choose from the Graffiti Art Project Ride (24km), the Graffiti Masterpieces Ride (30km) and the Graffiti Road to Maboneng (40km).
You can also book bespoke graffiti rides for corporate groups, schools, art students, team building or other special occasions. For more information on all of these, get in touch with Eelco Meyjes on 082 457 4936 or check out ebikersa.wordpress.com
BEST TIME OF YEAR: The Johannesburg weather is pretty much peachy year-round, with warm to hot summer days and the occasional afternoon thunderstorm.
Come winter, the mornings tend to be sub-zero, but most days soon morph into a crisp and sunny affair. Time to go play!