October 16, 2007
By Lesego Madumo
MORE than 25 000 cyclists have already registered for the annual Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge, which takes place on the streets of Joburg on Sunday, 18 November.
Now in its 11th year, the annual cycling event is the second largest of its kind in the world – and the biggest mass participation sporting event. It features a 180km race for professional riders and a 94,7km race for amateurs.
The race, supported by the City of Johannesburg, is a circuit from Woodmead in the north to Newtown in the city centre, and back. It has been tailored to raise money for the city's needy, with 77 percent of its net profit going to social responsibility programmes.
Benefiting charities include the Homeless Talk pre-school in Joubert Park, a day care facility for the children of Homeless Talk vendors. The race is sponsored by Pick 'n Pay and 94.7 Highveld Stereo.
Among the prominent figures taking part is Lance Armstrong, who won the Tour de France seven times. He will be joined by Team Barloworld, which is led by Robbie Hunter, a stage winner in this year's Tour de France.
"We're proud to be hosting Tour de France stage winner Robbie Hunter and his Team Barloworld team mates in an exciting charity ride, where funds will be raised for the Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge benefiting charity," said Tanya Harford, the race organiser.
"Barloworld Team is in its off season but the riders have decided to take a gentle ride around the route with anyone who wishes to join them in their special charity group. We're also expecting great racing from the professional riders this year, as they compete in the final race of the season."
Hunter and his team can be joined for R1 800.
The Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge has grown from 4 000 riders in 1997 to 25 000 this year. This was a testament to "the behind-the-scenes team work with various departments from the City; [these] have resulted in an exceptionally professional event of international standards".
The city is once again getting ready for the Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge
"Now considered the second largest, mass participation, timed cycling event in the world, it has grown in stature and even the concept has grown and evolved, in that the weekend now also hosts the Pick 'n Pay 94.7 Children's Cycle Challenge," Harford said.
The highlight was the numerous awards it had attained, including the Race of the Year for three consecutive years. "And, of course, the joy in witnessing the personal triumph of each and every competitor – from the professional to the amateur – as they cross the finish line of one of the country's most gruelling cycle races."
On the day, patrons could expect a well-organised, safe, and exciting event, including full medical and security back-up, Harford promised.
The 94,7km race will begin on Woodmead Drive between the Maxwell Drive and Van Reenen Drive intersection in Woodmead, and end at the Waterfall Equestrian Estate, on the corner of Maxwell Drive and the R55 in Sunninghill.
The route is the same as in previous years. It goes through Parktown, over the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Braamfontein, up Jan Smuts Avenue and through Diepsloot.
Several roads would be closed, Harford said, urging drivers and pedestrians to become familiar with the affected routes, and "plan their routes on the day accordingly".
The safety of cyclists and motorists was paramount, she said. Roads would be monitored by the Johannesburg metro police department, the Johannesburg Roads Agency and the Gauteng department of public transport, roads and works.
Affected roads include the R55 from the Maxwell and Woodmead drives intersection to the Summit Road intersection. They will be closed from 4.30am until 4.30pm and no vehicles will be allowed to cross the road during this time.
There will be other major road closures across the city and motorists are advised to use alternative routes. These include the M1 South from the Buccleuch Interchange to the Newtown on-ramp; which will be closed from 5am until 12pm. Pedestrians are encouraged to use bridges and under carriages at the Marlboro, Grayston and Corlett drive on- and off-ramps; Athol Oaklands Road, Glenhove Avenue and 11th Avenue; on Riviera and Oxford Road; and on Smit Street.
Nelson Mandela Bridge will also be closed to traffic from Carr Street to Bertha Street from 5.30am until 12.15pm. Motorists should use the Queen Elizabeth Bridge as an alternative.
A full list of the road closures and a detailed route map can be downloaded from thethe Cycle Challenge website.
In addition to the main race, there will be a Children's Cycle Challenge, presented by Spur Steak Ranches. More than 4 000 children between the ages of two and 15 are expected to participate. It is accompanied by the Mountain Bike Challenge, in which 2 500 riders will race on a tough, specially designed mountain bike track.
They both take place a day before the main event, on Saturday 17 November, and start and finish at the Waterfall Equestrian Estate.
The Cycle Challenge expo and race registration takes place from Thursday, 15 November to Saturday, 17 November at the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton. This year the expo is expected to attract up to 50 000 visitors and is deemed to be the biggest health and cycling expo in the province.
For the first time in its history, this year's cycle challenge will be screened live on SuperSport with Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, the popular Tour de France commentators.
For more information, contact the race office on 011 463 2743.
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