Cycling is a way of life for Durban North’s Gilles
Quevauvilliers added that as he's getting older and his ‘age is against him’, it will not deter him from cycling.
GIVE Gilles Quevauvilliers an open road and his bicycle and he’s the happiest man on earth.
The avid Durban North cyclist, who took part in the first tour in 1986, at the age of 36, is set to cycle his 36th Cape Town Cycle Tour in March this year.
The race is 109km which equates to about five hours on a bicycle.
ALSO READ: GALLERY: Durban North charity event a knockout success
“There have been 42 Cape Town Cycle Tours to date and I have taken part in 35 of them so far. I am looking forward to the 36th event,” Quevauvilliers proudly said. “The maximum amount of cyclists that can enter the race is 38 000,” he said.
Cycling has always been a part of Quevauvilliers’ life as his father was a Mauritian champion cyclist in 1938.
“My siblings and I would go to the races every Saturday. They also went on to become Mauritian champions,” he said.
Growing up, Quevauvilliers said he could not take part in competitive cycling events that would lead him to becoming a champion because he was a ‘big guy’.
“When my son Gilbert started cycling, to show him support, I started cycling at a competitive level. Gilbert has finished 100th at the Cape Town Cycle Tour,” he said.
In his early years, Quevauvilliers was a member of the East Coast Pedal Power and a cycling club chairman which he retired from about 15 years ago.
“I used to organise teams of cyclists to go to Mauritius. My passion is to help others become cyclists. I can also teach aspiring cyclists all they need to know about a bike and how to utilise it properly,” he said.
The event itself is extremely enjoyable for Quevauvilliers.
“It’s for a charitable cause and although there are thousands of other cyclists, I am competing with myself. It’s a lot of fun. I have had no accidents or injuries. I plan to cycle for as long as I can. Anyone can do the Cape Town Cycle Tour, even older people. I also want to motivate the younger people and encourage them to enter the race,” he said.
“I cycle from Durban North to Ballito twice a month to get distance. During the week, I cycle in the area and where it is safe. It’s the support of my family and friends that keeps me going.” he said.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
