July 20, 2005
By Lucky Sindane
THIS year Joburg's toughest race will be bigger and better than ever. Organisers of the Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge expect a record number of 30 000 entries.
The Cycle Challenge takes place on Sunday, 20 November. It is fully endorsed by the City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng provincial government.
Speaking at the launch, race organiser Tanya Harford said, "This year's Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge will be bigger and better. There are a number of exciting things happening this year."
Cyclists who enter before Wednesday, 31 August stand a chance of winning a trip for two to Europe worth R80 000, courtesy of Energade.
In addition, cyclists who enter before the cut-off date on Friday, 30 September are in line to win a trip to Europe to see the Tour de France, courtesy of Hertz. Worth R80 000, this trip is for the winner and a partner.
Development riders complete the course
"We have already given away a Bianchi bicycle worth R30 000 to Christof Gouws," said Samantha Durkin, the event co-ordinator at Harford Sports Promotions. "This prize was an early entry prize for those who entered in March."
According to Harford, this year the organisers managed to get full road closure of the N14 highway from the Gauteng department of transport, roads and works.
"We've been trying to do it for the past four years and we are happy that we've finally done it. The AA [Automobile Association] has come on board this year. Many cyclists had complained after they could not complete the race because of mechanical problems with their bikes. Now the AA will be there to assist them alongside the roads," she said.
This year the Cycle Challenge includes a 20km and a 40km mountain bike race, which will start and finish at the Kyalami racetrack.
"There is a special route for the mountain bike race and we want to keep it fairly tight and small," Harford said.
The 20km route goes through the fields of the adjacent Leeukop Farm while the 40km riders will race through the beautiful countryside of the Inanda Country Base, home of the famous Rand Hunt horses and hounds.
The main Cycle Challenge route remains the same as last year. The 94,7km race starts in Woodmead, next to Megawatt Park, runs through Houghton Estate, over the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein, up Jan Smuts Avenue, along Hans Strijdom Drive, through Diepsloot and finishes at the AA Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand.
Professional riders who qualify ride an extended 180km route, leaving the regular route just before the turn on to the N14 on the Lanseria road, and rejoin the N14 Lanseria onramp after doing an extra 85 kilometres towards Hartbeespoort.
On Saturday, 19 November the Children's Cycle Challenge takes place at the Kyalami racetrack.
The Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge will again support the Homeless Talk pre-school in Joubert Park, which provides day care for the children of Homeless Talk newspaper vendors.
For more information, contact the race office on 011 463 2743 or go to 94.7 Highveld Stereo to enter online.
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