A
Adventure MX
Guest
On the weekend of the 18 November 2007 we had a quad ride in the De Wildt/Jericho area. We were confronted by the Chief of Jericho who told us that we (Off Road Riders) do not have permission to use their land. After a long discussion on that particular day I was summoned to a Traditional Council Meeting to make a formal application for all off roaders.
However when I got back after my ride I addressed an email to Butch Hirsch from KTM to get his opinion about the issue. Till date he has not replyed. The same letter was also cc'd to other people such as Gary Franks (Enduro World), Glenn Foley (Dirt & Quad), Andrew (Quad 4 Fun).
In the interim I have received a reply from Gary Franks. As soon as I have permission to post the reply then I shall do so.
Below is a copy of the email sent to the above people:
Attention: Butch Hirsch
PRO ACTION KTM
JOHANNESBURG
TEL: 011-8078717
FAX: 011-8078718
DE WILDT OFF ROAD RIDING
I am not sure how to start this letter, as you might be wondering what my
involvement may be with regards to De Wildt. Over the past years I have
been keeping an eye on the developments that have transpired in
maintaining a positive presence in the De Wildt Area. The last couple of
months I have also noticed that you and Gary Franks have stepped up
efforts to reach a compromise with the local communities.
Over the years I have built up many relationships with the local people
and some â??influentialâ? members of different settlements in the areas that
we ride in. This last weekend we where confronted by the Chief of the
Jericho Area. After a long discussion it became apparent that he is not
aware of any proceedings that you have put forward to work with the
communities. We have also been explicitly told not to come back till we
have forwarded an official application to ride in his area.
The details of this person is as follows:
Chief J.T. Mamogale
Bakwena Ba Magopa Traditional Council
P.O. Box 696
Jericho
0189
Tel: 012-7291098
Cell: 076-9953693
Yesterday I noticed extreme resentment towards riders. At the De Wildt
Police Station we where informed that the Police Force would be out in
force as from next weekend to clamp down on riders that ride through
villages and on public roads, even if it was to get to the next section or
trail. My reason for writing this letter is that it appears to me that
even though a lot is being done to work out a solution to the so called
â??De Wildt Problemâ? there are still many key players that are not aware of
what is being discussed.
Strangely enough, on numerous occasions the editors of Dirt & Quad, Quad 4
Fun have phoned me to get more information with regards to this issue. I
have also on 2 occasions offered my assistance to Gary Franks and have
never heard from him.
You might be asking who am I?
I am the person that basically introduced quadding to De Wildt. I have
taken riders (Bikes & Quads) on organized rides through De Wildt, allowing
riders to experience what the area has to offer. Please do not curse at
this point as I can categorically state that I have operated with an
extremely high level of professionalism. There are enough high profile
members in the off-road community that can confirm this.
I must be honest with you. Due to the conflicts between quads and bikes I
try and ride my routes in such a way that we avoid most of the bike trails.
My success in this exercise has paid off as we have never had an incident
with collisions or altercations of any sort. I also believe that a great
deal of this success is due to that fact that we have expanded our riding
terrain a great deal outside the so called â??De Wildt Properâ? area.
Donâ??t get me wrong, we do need to use some of the usual trails to get
where we ride but otherwise in my history of riding we always maintain a
healthy respect for the local communities. I am also a D/Sport rider and
I know for a fact that many of these riders use similar routes to what the
quads use in the Jericho Area.
I have a vast database of trails that we use in the De Wildt & Radium
Area. I would like to extend another offer to help or share information
that may make it easier to understand where the quads and D/Sport bikes
ride. I have also been confronted by various top members of the community
with their concerns. With this information it might make it easier to
offer and propose solutions to this problem. I have also made suggestions
on various forums to get interaction from the riders. However as with
most situations people are very hesitant to offer help.
I have a very active website and would welcome any new developments with
regards to this situation. I will gladly post this information to keep
the riders informed.
Regards
Peter Nieman
Adventure MX
082-3762657
www.adventuremx.co.za
[email protected]
However when I got back after my ride I addressed an email to Butch Hirsch from KTM to get his opinion about the issue. Till date he has not replyed. The same letter was also cc'd to other people such as Gary Franks (Enduro World), Glenn Foley (Dirt & Quad), Andrew (Quad 4 Fun).
In the interim I have received a reply from Gary Franks. As soon as I have permission to post the reply then I shall do so.
Below is a copy of the email sent to the above people:
Attention: Butch Hirsch
PRO ACTION KTM
JOHANNESBURG
TEL: 011-8078717
FAX: 011-8078718
DE WILDT OFF ROAD RIDING
I am not sure how to start this letter, as you might be wondering what my
involvement may be with regards to De Wildt. Over the past years I have
been keeping an eye on the developments that have transpired in
maintaining a positive presence in the De Wildt Area. The last couple of
months I have also noticed that you and Gary Franks have stepped up
efforts to reach a compromise with the local communities.
Over the years I have built up many relationships with the local people
and some â??influentialâ? members of different settlements in the areas that
we ride in. This last weekend we where confronted by the Chief of the
Jericho Area. After a long discussion it became apparent that he is not
aware of any proceedings that you have put forward to work with the
communities. We have also been explicitly told not to come back till we
have forwarded an official application to ride in his area.
The details of this person is as follows:
Chief J.T. Mamogale
Bakwena Ba Magopa Traditional Council
P.O. Box 696
Jericho
0189
Tel: 012-7291098
Cell: 076-9953693
Yesterday I noticed extreme resentment towards riders. At the De Wildt
Police Station we where informed that the Police Force would be out in
force as from next weekend to clamp down on riders that ride through
villages and on public roads, even if it was to get to the next section or
trail. My reason for writing this letter is that it appears to me that
even though a lot is being done to work out a solution to the so called
â??De Wildt Problemâ? there are still many key players that are not aware of
what is being discussed.
Strangely enough, on numerous occasions the editors of Dirt & Quad, Quad 4
Fun have phoned me to get more information with regards to this issue. I
have also on 2 occasions offered my assistance to Gary Franks and have
never heard from him.
You might be asking who am I?
I am the person that basically introduced quadding to De Wildt. I have
taken riders (Bikes & Quads) on organized rides through De Wildt, allowing
riders to experience what the area has to offer. Please do not curse at
this point as I can categorically state that I have operated with an
extremely high level of professionalism. There are enough high profile
members in the off-road community that can confirm this.
I must be honest with you. Due to the conflicts between quads and bikes I
try and ride my routes in such a way that we avoid most of the bike trails.
My success in this exercise has paid off as we have never had an incident
with collisions or altercations of any sort. I also believe that a great
deal of this success is due to that fact that we have expanded our riding
terrain a great deal outside the so called â??De Wildt Properâ? area.
Donâ??t get me wrong, we do need to use some of the usual trails to get
where we ride but otherwise in my history of riding we always maintain a
healthy respect for the local communities. I am also a D/Sport rider and
I know for a fact that many of these riders use similar routes to what the
quads use in the Jericho Area.
I have a vast database of trails that we use in the De Wildt & Radium
Area. I would like to extend another offer to help or share information
that may make it easier to understand where the quads and D/Sport bikes
ride. I have also been confronted by various top members of the community
with their concerns. With this information it might make it easier to
offer and propose solutions to this problem. I have also made suggestions
on various forums to get interaction from the riders. However as with
most situations people are very hesitant to offer help.
I have a very active website and would welcome any new developments with
regards to this situation. I will gladly post this information to keep
the riders informed.
Regards
Peter Nieman
Adventure MX
082-3762657
www.adventuremx.co.za
[email protected]
