Race deadline rides into view

It's time to get your entries in and start training in earnest; the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge is just around the corner – there are only nine weeks to race day.

CYCLISTS wanting to test their endurance at the annual Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge on 20 November will need to act fast to avoid missing the boat, or in this case the bike, to get their entries in by 3 October.

Executive mayor Parks Tau starts the 2010 Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)Executive mayor Parks Tau starts the 2010 Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge (Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)The challenge is coasting into its 15th year, and shows no signs of slowing down. More participants are taking part each year, and the 2010 event had approximately 26 000 riders.

There are training options available for every level of rider, ranging from those eager to push their bodies to the limit to those hoping to just finish the race in working order. To facilitate each rider performing at their optimum fitness, Fittrack has devised six training plans starting from absolute beginner and going all the way to advanced.

All plans take 12 weeks, but the number of hours and days of training per week ranges according to difficulty level. For more information, or to start your training plan, visit the Momentum Fittrack Training Plan.

On Challenge Day, the starting gun will fire promptly at 5.30am at the R55 before Maxwell Drive in Sunninghill, with cyclists doing an extended 97,4km loop around the city before the finish at the permanent home of the race, Waterfall Country Estate in Kyalami.

This year’s race will follow the new and improved route introduced in 2010, when the riders got to see the best of Joburg in the round the city loop, which highlighted regenerated areas and landmarks such as Nelson Mandela Bridge and Gandhi Square.

Water and physio
There will be 10 water points along the route, as well as one at the finish line to revive tired riders. Powerzones will also be strategically located along the route to provide some much-needed encouragement to riders.

“Medical assistance and physiotherapy support is provided at all 10 water points along the route,” states the Cycle Challenge website. “There is also a hospital and physio area located within Waterfall Country Estate and at the finish.”

A record number of entries are expected this yearA record number of entries are expected this yearBecause safety of the riders is a principle concern for organisers, Netcare 911 will also be on hand to provide assistance and medical care. Full road closure on affected streets will ensure that the challenge lives up to its motto “Joburg’s safest race”.

Alternative routes and an interactive map to help motorists plan their day better will be published on the Challenge’s website closer to race day.

Ride for a Purpose
An important feature of the race is the Ride for a Purpose campaign, which was launched in 2010. Riders had been using the race as a platform to raise funds and awareness for their charities of choice for years, but it was only formalised into the Ride for a Purpose campaign last year.

Charities that are supported include Choc (Childhood Cancer Foundation of South Africa), Afrika Tikkun, MAD (Make A Difference), Pink Drive and Child Abuse Prevention, to name a few.

As well as raising funds, supporting a cause or riding in memory of a loved one, people use the campaign as an opportunity to dress up and spread some light-hearted cheer. Superheroes, Choc cows and people with pink bras adorning their heads take over the streets, ratcheting up the entertainment factor for spectators who line the streets.

Celebrities and radio personalities also endorse the campaign and use the race as a platform to raise money for various charities.

Former Springbok captain Francois Pienaar took up the call to arms, and as a sponsorship consultant to Momentum is a key driver of the campaign. Former Springboks Joel Stransky and Ashwin Willemse have also been involved in previous years, as has musician Loyiso Bala.

Paracycling
“Cyclists might also choose to use the event as a platform to show that the human spirit can triumph over everything,” says the public relations and communications co-ordinator for Primedia Broadcasting, Pippa Rowles.

Riding for charityRiding for charityErick Kapp is one such rider. He was involved in an accident that left him totally paralysed in 2000. After being in a coma for eight weeks, and having several surgeries to his legs which mean that they are now more metal than bone, he recovered and got involved in paracycling.

Kapp is the road and track commissioner for Gauteng North Paracycling, and represented South Africa in the 2009 Paracycling World Championships. He will be competing in this year’s Cycle Challenge for the Smile Foundation, which is a non-governmental organisation that helps children with facial abnormalities get free reconstructive surgery.

Children
In addition to the main race, there are also the Children’s Cycle Challenge and the Mountain Bike Challenge. The Children’s Cycle Challenge was instituted as a standalone event in 2009, while the Mountain Bike Challenge was introduced in 2006 for those who preferred riding off-road.

Entries for the children’s race and the mountain bike race close on 17 October. The children’s race will take place on 12 November, and the Mountain Bike Challenge will happen on 13 November.

For more information on any of the cycle challenges, visit the Cycle Challenge website.