Cycle Challenge has arrived

IN just a few days, roads will be closed to traffic and about 25 000 cyclists will take to the streets of Johannesburg. Yes, it's Cycle Challenge Sunday again.Read More
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In just a few days, roads will be closed to traffic and about 25 000 cyclists will take to the streets of Johannesburg. Yes, it's Cycle Challenge Sunday again.
THOUSANDS of dedicated cyclists are winding up preparations and psyching themselves up for a punishing day in the saddle on Cycle Challenge Sunday, taking place on 20 November.

25 000 cyclists About 25 000 cyclists will take on the gruelling 94.7km challenge on Sunday (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)All that remains to be done before the starting gun fires promptly at 5.30am is collection of race packs from the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge Experience Expo and, for the brave, participation in a 35km Twitter ride with top international and local sports stars.

But collecting race packs is not the only thing to do at the expo, as it also offers the best in cycling and lifestyle gear, innovations and advice, according to Primedia’s public relations and communications manager, Pippa Rowles.

It is on at the Sandton Convention Centre until 19 November – from 10am to 6pm on 17 and 18 November, and from 8am to 3pm on 19 November. Riders will need their SMS or email confirmations with their race number and starting time to collect their packs.

For those eager to squeeze in a last-minute training ride, Saturday presents the perfect opportunity. “Momentum has organised a Twitter ride, with top international cyclists as well as local sports legends,” Rowles says. “Starting and finishing at the Waterfall Country Estate, the ride will be an easy 35km to warm up for the following day.”

Sunday is the big event, with approximately 25 000 cyclists taking to the streets of Joburg to prove their mettle and heed the call to ride for a purpose, either to raise awareness or funds, or on behalf of someone who can’t.

“The Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge is an event that the whole city can get excited about – whether participating or supporting,” says the station manager of 94.7 Highveld Stereo, Ravi Naidoo. “To include a broader audience of participants, we’ve grown the range of events so that cyclists of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy the festival of cycling.”

Children’s race
Last years winnersLast years' winners Cherise Taylor and Robyn de Groot (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)It includes the Children’s Cycle Challenge and the Mountain Bike Challenge, which were so popular that they were introduced as individual events. The children’s challenge was instituted as a standalone event in 2009, while the mountain bike race was introduced in 2006 for those who preferred riding off-road.

This year, the children rode on 12 November and the mountain bikers on the following day.

Sunday’s race will cover the new and improved route that was introduced in 2010, winding through Joburg’s suburbs as well as the inner city to highlight regenerated areas and landmarks such as Nelson Mandela Bridge.

“The cyclists will be taking on a 94,7km route that runs through many of Johannesburg’s busiest areas, including Sandton, Johannesburg CBD, Randburg and Diepsloot,” Rowles says. The race starts and ends on the R55 between the Buccleuch Interchange and Waterfall Country Estate in Kyalami, which has become its permanent home.

To facilitate the large number of riders, roads will be closed on the day and residents have been urged to familiarise themselves with the closures so that they can plan ahead.

Road closed
Some of the major thoroughfares that will be closed include: the M1 South between the Buccleuch Interchange and the M1/M2 split between 5am and 12.30pm; Joe Slovo Road between Carse O’Gowrie Road and M2 East/Joe Slovo off-ramp from 5.15am to 12.30pm; Rissik Street between Main Road and the Rissik Street off-ramp from 5.15am to 12.30pm; Jan Smuts Avenue between Empire Road and Bram Fischer Drive from 5.30am to 1.15pm; and the N14 highway between the Lanseria on-ramp and the Diepsloot off-ramp from 6.30am to 3pm.

Cyclists from City departments will also take partCyclists from City departments will also take part in the challenge (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)The complete list of road closures and what time these roads will be closed is available on the Cycle Challenge website. To help people plan their routes and enhance the race experience for riders and spectators, an interactive map has been developed by MapIT.

It allows cyclists to visualise their route before their tyres even hit the tar through the map’s route profiling function. This function provides the elevation details of the entire route, showing inclines and downhills measured in metres against distance measured in kilometres.

It can be accessed through the Cycle Challenge website or directly on 947mapservice “The organisers of the event have left no stone unturned in making sure everything runs smoothly,” Rowles adds.

There will be 10 water points along the route and one at the finish line, as well as Powerzones along the way to keep up participants’ spirits. Netcare 911 will be on hand to help uphold the race’s motto of “Joburg’s safest race”.

For more information on the Cycle Challenge, visit the website. Any race-related queries can also be directed to the call centre on 0862 947 947.