Take a ride through Joburg through the lens of two local youths.
Jared Bauer and Luc Besson recently cycled the long winding roads of Joburg as they took part in the Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg. They shared their experiences with us. In hopes maybe next year you’ll have your own experience?
Here is what they had to say:
Jared Bauer
I have supported my dad on the side of the road taking part in the 947 Ride Joburg race for many years and I have been itching to ride it. This year I felt I was ready to enter.
As it was my first time riding I got a late start time (Batch GG 08:40 start). The waiting got me nervous and I just wanted to get going. Once we were riding I started to relax and enjoy the ride and the atmosphere. I managed the first 60km easily and then the hills started and I thought to myself I should have trained more for the hills.
I met my support crew on Jan Smuts at Timber City where I had some food and my support crew cheered me on. I felt motivated but I knew I still had to get up Jan Smuts all the way past the zoo. The zoo climb was the toughest part of the race for me – my legs were like jelly. My dad got me through that climb.
I felt so proud riding into the stadium at the finish. My legs were dead but I was happy! Thank you to De La Salle Holy Cross College for the wonderful support and well done to the boys who did it with me. My time was 04:11:00, next year will be a sub 4!
Luc Besson
Before the 947 ride I was very nervous that I was not going to finish because I have never ridden further than 60km, but on the day of the race all my nerves disappeared. I was so excited to get going. By the time we had hit 75km, I was still feeling good and thought the finish would be easy, but those last 25km were the longest of my life and when I finished the race I was so happy that I could finally sit down.
I am very happy with my time of 04:46:00. I think what motivated me the most to do the race was when I would ride on the weekend with my dad and grandpa who got me into riding.
