October 18, 2004
By Lucky Sindane
MORE than 24 000 cyclists have registered ahead of the Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge which will take place on Sunday, 21 November.
Entries for the world's second largest timed cycling event closed on Thursday, 30 September.
The 94.7 kilometre route will start in Woodmead next to Megawatt Park, go through Houghton estate, over the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein then to Jan Smuts Avenue, through Hans Strijdom Drive, pass Diepsloot and finish at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand.
The organisers are pulling out all the stops to ensure cyclists enjoy a safe ride through the streets of Joburg.
"The city is thrilled to once again be involved in this event. It demonstrates to the world the infrastructure Joburg has and adds to our objective of showcasing Joburg as the sporting capital of South Africa," said the City's events manager, Bongi Mokaba.
"The Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge is going all out to prove that it is Joburg's safest race," said 94.7's public relations manager, Natasha Wadvalla.
"The event is already becoming a major force for tourism in Joburg with huge benefits and spin-offs for the local economy," said a media statement.
Race organiser Tanya Harford said: "The Cycle Challenge provides a huge boost for the economy of Johannesburg and Gauteng. It has generated jobs in the cycle industry, including shops, gyms, manufacturing, as well as providing temporary employment to thousands in the build-up to and on Cycle Challenge Sunday."
The promotion of safe cycling is multi-faceted and includes the running of Cycle Challenge clinics and encouraging riders to join a cycling club, where cyclists will get training advice, tips for the race and develop an understanding of cycling.
"This year we are encouraging cyclists to join cycle clubs to boost their membership," says Harford.
Professionals from Cycle Lab will hold free training clinics for Cycle Challenge entrants at centres at the AA Kyalami racetrack and Wesbank Raceway. These clinics, sponsored by Pick 'n Pay and Liberty, will be held every Wednesday until the day of the Cycle Challenge.
"The clinics will cover all aspects of training and preparation needed for the Cycle Challenge and teach all peculiarities of cycling from slipstreaming to how to ride safely in a bunch," says Wadvalla.
The route will remain the same as last year's and will give serious cyclists the opportunity to race against their previous time.
Professional riders will ride an extended 180km route, leaving the regular route just before the turn on to the N14 at the Lanseria Road. They will rejoin the bunch at the N14 Lanseria on ramp after doing an extra 85km towards Hartbeespoort.
"As an organiser of cycling events, and a cyclist myself, I find the total road closure of the Cycle Challenge absolutely awesome," says cyclist Liefie Day.
The City of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Johannesburg Roads Agency and the Gauteng department of public transport and works will implement a total road closure on the affected route to ensure the safety of the cyclists and residents.
Some of the major roads which will be closed include R55 Allandale Road to Maxwell Drive, Jan Smuts Avenue from Bertha Street to Hendrik Verwoerd Drive, the Nelson Mandela bridge from Carr Street to Bertha Street, Summit Road from the R511 to the Bluehills four way stop (R55) and R55 from Bluehills four way stop to Kyalami Race Track.
The Cycle Challenge also includes the children's Cycle Challenge on Saturday, 20 November when 3 500 children will be on the starting line at the AA Kyalami race track in Midrand.
In line with the Cycle Challenge social responsibility programme, previously disadvantaged and disabled cyclists are given complimentary entry. Last year 546 free entries were given out as part of its contribution to the disabled and less fortunate in the continuing quest to keep cycling accessible to all.
"It is a great race and great sport. I've said it before, doing good is good business and here we are raising money for the underprivileged people in Johannesburg and this race is an incredible platform for raising that awareness," said Pick 'n Pay's marketing director, Jonathan Ackerman.
Phil Liggett, an international commentator known as the Voice of Cycling, will once again be the commentator for this year's event. He has been quoted as saying the Cycle Challenge is the best cycling event of its sort in the world
For more information log onto www.highveld.co.za or call the race office on 011 463 2743.
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