Gauteng Graffiti Rides
“Imagine a city where graffiti wasn’t illegal, a city where everybody could draw whatever they liked. Where every street was awash with a million colours and little phrases. Where standing at a bus stop was never boring. A city that felt like a party where everyone was invited, not just the estate agents and barons of big business. Imagine a city like that. And stop leaning against the wall – it’s wet”. – Banksy
– Photographs & Copy: Jacques Marais
Local Buzz:
See the great Graffiti art treasures of Jozi on a bicycle and experience a unique urban adventure. It’s a one-of-a-kind tourism gem that should be on every South African’s local travel bucket list.
What a buzz to crank off from Fournos Bakery Group, dodging taxis and rush hour traffic, all while sniping along suburban streets in search of vibrant and larger-than-life works of art. As the world-famous Banksy says, “A wall is a very big weapon. It’s one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with”.
You’re bound to be challenged, astounded and amazed, because this ‘Joburg Street Gallery’ features world-famous artists like Falco, Paige33, Faith47, Nomad and the likes. Add to this a buzzy, zippy, fast-forward – and ultimately accessible ride – and hits you head-on with an everyman urban adventure bound to blow your hair back … both Eelco and his sweeper Juno are on #eBikes, so feel free to plug into some battery-powered backup!
The Routes
Trail Low-Down:
Graffiti Walls Smaller Private Rides – these rides are suited for smaller groups or families who wish to do a more personalized graffiti tour. The rides are through the northern suburbs of Jozi where many top-quality graffiti walls can be seen. The rides are 2-3 hours and both normal and e-bikes are welcome. People riding normal bikes will need to be reasonably fit. The rides are available seven days a week and perfectly suited for a bit of good healthy outdoor fun.Currently there are three routes:
Route A – Rosebank and the Northern Suburbs; Saxonwold, Forest Town, Parkview, Greenside. Approximate distance 22km.
Route B – Melville & Westdene. Approximate distance 26km.
Route C – The Lioness of Africa; Norwood, Munro Drive, Upper Houghton, Louis Botha S Bend, Sandton City. Approximate distance 32km.
Monthly rides
There are three routes available. Groups are restricted to 16 riders and a sweep vehicle is used. Rides start from Fournos Bakery Dunkeld on the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue & Bompas Road, Dunkeld West Centre at 07h30.
Route 1 – Melville-Westdene Graffiti Art Project Ride (approximately 24km)
The ride takes a look at the work that was done for the Westdene Graffiti Art Project. There are dozens of walls, many done by South Africa’s top graffiti writers, then enjoy a coffee stop in Melville. Cost is R195 per person.
Route 2 – Graffiti Masterpieces Ride (approximately 30km)
This ride goes into the inner city of Newtown and Braamfontein, often regarded as the epicenter of graffiti art in South Africa. On the way you will see a number of multistory graffiti works. After a coffee stop in Braamfontein you head out to the leafy suburbs of Forest Town, Saxonwold and Rosebank to see some top quality graffiti work. In total there are more than 200 graffiti walls to be seen on this ride. Cost is R285 per person.
Route 3 – Graffiti Road to Maboneng and Louis Botha S Bend (approximately 40km)
This inner city route goes via Melrose to Orange Grove, Jeppe, Maboneng (a Sotho word for Place of Light), Kensington, Victoria Yard, Louis Botha S Bend, Houghton and back to Dunkeld with a coffee stop in Maboneng. Along the way you will enjoy the best of both worlds – a wide range of styles and techniques plus many of the tallest multistory works on offer in Jozi. Cost is R285 per person.
Bespoke Graffiti Rides
These rides are perfect for corporates, schools, art student, birthdays, team building and other special occasions. There are two bespoke graffiti rides to the inner city of Jozi (Maboneng 40km or Newtown and Braamfontein 30km route) plus a shorter 24km route to Melville and Westdene. The two inner city routes are supported with motor bike marshals and a sweep vehicle. The shorter Mellville-Westdene route is supported by a sweep vehicle only.
For more information on bespoke rides contact ebiker at 082 457 4936 or email ebikersa@gmail.com. Information on all the rides available on https://ebikersa.wordpress.com
Best time to Visit
Weather is great year round; summer days are warm and often rounded off by thunderstorms while the winters can be cold but days are sunny, crisp and dry.
FAST FACTS BLOCK
| GRADING: | Intermediate – relative fitness required |
| DURATION: | 2-3 hours |
| CONFIGURATION: | Circular options |
| START POINT: | Fournos Bakery Dunkeld on the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue & Bompas Road, Duncled West Centre |
| GPS COORDS: | S 26°07’50.1” / E 28°02’04.8” |
| TERRAIN: | Tarred city streets |
| ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: | Prices vary between R195 – R285 per person |
| FACILITIES: | Coffee shops along the way |
| LOCAL CONTACT |
Eelco Meyjes – 082 457 4936 |
| CELL RECEPTION | Good |
| BEWARE OF: | City traffic. No helmet no ride, no mask no guide |
Getting There
How to Get There
Travelling north on the M1 Highway take the turnoff to Glenhove Road. Turn right onto Venus Street. At the second traffic circle take first exit onto Victoria Avenue. At the T-junction turn left onto North Street. At the next T-junction turn left onto Oxford Road. Take first right onto Bompas Road and travel for 1.3km to Dunkeld West Centre on your right.
