A CAPE Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour veteran has survived an attack by three robbers when motorists came to his rescue, with one couple chasing after his attackers and retrieving his bike.
A perfect day for training for the Cycle Tour turned into a day of fear for Japie Harmse, 55, who escaped serious harm thanks to a few good Samaritans.
Harmse had been on his regular route along Bottelary Road towards Stellenbosch yesterday afternoon to prepare for his 10th tour.
On his way back to his Northpine home, he was attacked by three youths at Kayamandi outside Stellenbosch.
“I saw the three approach the side of the road as I pedalled along. Suddenly, as I drew alongside them, I noticed them coming for me.
“One guy came from the front and the other two from behind. I was riding slowly and they reacted so quickly, I realised I was not going to be able to accelerate away from them, so I tried to get off my bike.”
But in trying to get off, Harmse fell heavily on the road and the three were on top of him.
One held him down while trying to unzip the cellphone pocket in his riding top, while another grabbed his bicycle.
“I told them they could take my phone and my bicycle, but just to leave me unharmed,” he said this morning.
“But then a motorist in a Mercedes-Benz drove up and hooted, which made them hesitate. Shortly after that a person in a double-cab bakkie stopped and then a couple in another double-cab bakkie stopped.
“The man in the second bakkie got out and ran at them from behind his vehicle.”
Conrad Koen and his wife, Sandy, in the second bakkie, had been driving home from Stellenbosch after dropping off their daughter at boarding school.
“I saw Japie riding up ahead and then I saw these three guys jump him,” Koen said.
“I drove straight at them and stopped, while they had him on the ground and were trying to take his stuff. As soon as I got out of my vehicle they ran away.
“I helped Japie up and we put his bicycle in the back of my bakkie. We gave him a lift home.”
Sandy said they had got to the scene at just the right moment.
“My husband drove at them as if he was going to run them over and then stopped. As soon as he got out they ran away. It is so typical of such people. They take on a person when he’s alone.”
Harmse said he had hurt his left shoulder and right leg when he fell.
“My shoulder is quite sore this morning, but I am sure I will get ready for the Cycle Tour. It is just so sad that one is not safe anywhere anymore. I’ve heard of such incidents many times, but this is the first time I’ve experienced it.
“Motorists get such negative publicity, but if it wasn’t for the people who stopped and hooted, things might have been a lot worse.”
Last night, Harmse decided the best way to say “thank you” to his rescuers was to write to the Cape Argus.
“I trust that you will place this letter as my sincere thanks to Conrad and his wife, Sandy Koen, as well as passing motorists who rescued me from three guys while practising for the Argus Cycle Tour,” he wrote.
“It was due to Conrad’s heroism and bravery that my attackers fled the scene.
“Conrad, I could imagine you telling me that you were just doing what any other person would have done in this situation, and I am very thankful that you were there, but you went beyond that. You guys were my angels on Sunday.
“I hurt my shoulder and have some bruises on my left arm and right leg, but otherwise I will be ready for the Argus Cycle Tour 2012.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Harmse did not lay charges with the police.
Safety and security tips for cyclists:
l Never cycle alone.
l Report any incident to the police immediately.
l Register your bicycle model, make and frame number. This could help the police recover your bike.
l Take a clear colour photograph of your bike and write down its description, including any unique features, so that you can report it accurately if stolen.
l Avoid isolated or dimly lit places.
l Park your bike safely and considerately. Use cycle parking stands where these are provided. Park your bike where it will not be a hazard, obstruction or inconvenience to pedestrians.
l If your bike is expensive don’t lock it in the same place on a regular basis, so that it won’t be noticed and later stolen.
l Always wear a helmet.
l Always carry identification.
l Avoid riding in gutters or close to parked cars because a driver could suddenly open a door.
l Do not use a cellphone or music player while riding.
l Watch out for glass, drain covers, oil or sand.
