Durban North cyclist ready for special family ride

THIS year, the Cape Town Cycle Tour celebrates its 45th anniversary, but there is also another special milestone as Durban North resident Gilles Quevauvilliers aims to complete his 37th consecutive cycle tour.

The 74-year-old will be commemorating this race with his sons, Luc and Gilbert, who last cycled a CT Cycle Tour more than 20 years ago.

“I’m so happy to be able to cycle this race with my sons. The last time we cycled this race as a family, the boys were in their late teens, so this is going to be very special for me. Every year I have cycled the Cape Town Cycle Tour, it has gotten harder, but I hope to inspire other people to take up cycling. Even if it is just about keeping fit and cycling short distances, I encourage people to get involved.

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“I grew up in Mauritius, and my father was a champion cyclist, as was one of my brothers, so they fostered a love for cycling within me, and I’ve never looked back since getting on my first bike,” he said.

Gilles has also completed 18 Amashova Durban Races and more than six aQuellé Tour Durban races.

His son, Luc, has also designed the trios cycle kit for the race by using a splash of colour and their own crest with the name, Gilles and Sons, sitting a top a bicycle gear. The kit also has the number 37 repeated across the tops in a way to highlight his father’s 37 races.

“I wanted to design something that is noticeable and that had a bold design. I thought it was a nice nod to include the number 37 in the design. I do know I have not done nearly enough training, so the last half of the race will be fun. I’m more of a runner. We’ve each done a Cape Town Cycle Tour independently, but this time, it will be extra special to cross the finish line together,” Luc said.

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Gilbert, who has travelled from the Gold Coast in Australia to cycle the race with his brother and father, echoed Luc’s sentiments.

“This visit had been specifically planned to include doing this event with Luc and my father. It is his favourite cycle race on the calendar, so it will be that much more special doing it with him. We plan to start the race together and end together. My dad is an inspiration, and we are looking forward to completing this with him,” Gilbert said.

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