It has been scientifically proven that cycling has many benefits as compared to other sports.
Besides it being an environmentally friendly game and a fast mode of transport, an early morning ride is said to help you catch some quality shut-eye when you get back to your pillow.
Research states that cycling also reduces signs of ageing, boost bowel movement, increase brain power and fight off illnesses and many more.
Two local cyclists Mr Calvin Beneke ( 23) year-old who had been cycling for a better part of his life says it has been his passion; his life and its part of his family tradition.
He says it helps in keeping his mind alert and has the ability to make him feel good on his downy days. He also urge both young and old to participate in the forthcoming three-day cycle tour at the Forever Resort in Badplaas, Mpumalanga, from 14 to 16 June cycling instills discipline, focus and help riders to compete as a team, sportsmanship and camaraderie.
“You are always pushing yourself to be a better rider. These qualities will resonate through all aspects of your life on and off the bike,” he said.
One of the youngest riders to participate in the coming tour is Steven van Heerden (21) who says he started cycling to stay fit and healthy as it was something he really enjoyed doing.
“I’ve pushed myself to reach a new goal after goal and soon found myself racing at the top level of the sport in South Africa,” he said. He enjoys the racing in Mpumalanga because the events are always well organized and “the terrain makes for hard racing from the start to finish.
It is where you get to push yourself to new limits” he said. Hendrick Wagener of the upcoming cycle tour at the Forever Resort in Badplaas says it will consist of three stages for all the Vets categories, as well as for Elite riders (domestic racing licenses) plus an open category for non-licensed Vets riders.
The first stage of the 2014 Forever Resort Badplaas Tour for the Elite riders will begin in Badplaas and travel out to Machadodorp and Carolina with the finish in Badplaas (157 km). The other rider categories will start in Machadodorp, travel to Carolina, and finish in Badplaas, completing a 100km route.
Transport will be provided by the organisers for those for those who require transport to Machadodorp.
Stage 2 will take Elite riders from Forever Resort Badplaas to Carolina and Lochiel, with the finish back at Forever Resort Badplaas, providing a 163km route. The Vets and open categories will race another 100km stage, starting at Carolina and passing through Lochiel, and back to Badplaas.
The third and final stage will see all categories race along an 84km route, which will start in Badplaas, Carolina and finish in Badplaas.
The three-day cycle tour has been staged particularly for the Vets’ categories in the absence of the previous tour in Midvaal, which is no longer on the calendar.
