By: Cat Pritchard
When 25 000 people take to the streets its called a mass action; put them on bicycles and give them a charitable mission and it’s called the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge – the second largest cycling event of its kind and the biggest mass-participation, timed sporting event in the world. And it’s taking place on 15 November right across Johannesburg’s suburbs.
For the 13th edition of the Cycle Challenge, 25 000 cyclists will be pedalling their hearts (and lungs) outto raise money for a number socially responsibility initiatives, including the Homeless Talk pre-school in Joubert Park and Choc, the Childhood Cancer Association of South Africa, which provides care for children diagnosed with cancer.
The challenge comprises two races: a 180km race for professional cyclists and a 94,7km race for amateurs and beginners. The inner city route will change from that of 2008, making the race 96,50 kilometres long.
It has a total prize purse of R360 000 and winners of the men’s and women's elite races will, for the first time, receive yellow jerseys. The Cycle Challenge will be screened on SuperSport 1 with Phil Liggett, the popular Tour de France commentator, and James Louter as anchormen, and highlights from earlier in the day.
In addition to the main races, there is a 50km mountain bike challenge taking place on a tough, specially designed bike track on Saturday, 14 November. The 20km Children's Cycle Challenge took place on Saturday, 7 November, at Leeukop Farm in Kyalami.
GSA salutes these passionate peddlers!