Fun ride attracts cycling fans

WITH just less than a month to go to the popular aQuellé Tour Durban on Sunday 24 April, part-time cycling enthusiasts are shaking the dust off their road and mountain bikes alike to prepare for the 45km fun ride that attracts the majority of the riders taking part in the iconic cycling occasion.

Starting and finishing at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the 45km out-and-back race takes riders on the recently resurfaced M4 up to uMdloti and back, with views of the Indian Ocean throughout, making for easy and manageable riding for the part-time cyclist.

With cycling safety top-of-mind for every rider, the outing on full road closure provides the peace of mind road cyclists thrive on and the camaraderie of their fellow riders.

The 45km ride always attracts a significant number of tandem teams, hand-bike athletes as well as riders on a variety of other bicycles eager to test themselves over the accessible distance and manageable terrain.

With Durban eager to make itself a bicycle-friendly city, the aQuellé Tour Durban has been embraced by recreational cyclists as a festival opportunity to take full advantage of the excellent roads under full closure and the superb Autumn weather.

Greg Albert, owner of the Cyclesphere store in Durban, says more and more Durbanites are embracing a lifestyle built around enjoying the city on bicycles.

“The 45km is such a do-able, fun and easy ride. The biggest advantage of this race is that it starts and finishes at the same place, so there is no hassle at all about getting there and home afterwards,” said Albert.

He said that there was a large community of active Durbanites with a bicycle at home that would easily be able to take on the 45km ride and enjoy the security and accessibility of the event.

The aQuellé Tour Durban 45km fun ride will be fully supported by the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World, where the race registration and expo will be taking place on Friday, 22 and Saturday, 23 April.

Normal entries can be submitted online at www.cycleevents.co.za/road-events/aquelle-tour-durban-2016/ until 10pm on 11 April, after which late entries will be taken at registration at Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World from 10am to 5pm on Friday, 22 and Saturday, 23 April. Visit: www.tourdurban.co.za