Celebrating St Patrick’s Day, on a bike

St Patrick’s Day celebrates the life of Maewyn Succat who later in his life became the patron saint of Ireland. In more modern times, countries and cultures all across the globe have been celebrating his life in various ways, most including large gatherings with a lot of ale.

Many South Africans also observe the unofficial holiday in many ways. The more active among us like to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a fun ride or run, dressing up in outlandish green getups and taking to the streets en masse.

Early on Saturday morning, 13 March (five days before the official St Patrick’s Day), a hundred or so cyclists gathered in De Wet Street in Rant-en-Dal, geared up and ready for a fairly intermediate ride – easy enough for those who’ve been cycling for a while now.

The fun day was organised by Cadence World cycling shop in partnership with Dros Krugersdorp. The cyclists received an energy drink before they set off on their ride, and after finishing they flocked to Dros, still in their riding gear, catching their breaths as they guzzled down their first beer. Each cyclist received two free drinks and a meal from Dros, as well as a gold medal for completing the ride.

For the more relaxed riders there was the 20km ‘Jolly Ride’ option which was basically a 5km route in town that could be completed four times. For those looking for something more challenging, there was a 50km ‘Not So Jolly’ route which started down Robert Broom Drive, went past Munsieville on Van Riebeeck Road and looped around to Tarlton before heading back to Rant-en-Dal via Oatlands. Most riders opted for this route.

News journalist Jaco Human joined in on the 50km ride, although in his four months of road cycling he has not done more than a 35km ride. Already thinking it was going to be a challenge, Jaco was surprised when early on in the ride the group turned into a gravel road. The first half of the ride on the gravel road was not too difficult, but it soon became apparent that about 28km of what turned out to be a 53km ride was off-road, with the last section consisting of a tough uphill climb on a rocky path.

Most riders coped exceptionally well, but Jaco and a few other riders fell behind as they struggled through the rocky bit, saying things like, “I wasn’t expecting that” and “I’m way too unfit for this kind of thing”. When fellow journalist Natasha Pretorious asked him at the finish line if he’d do it again, Jaco said, “Without a doubt. I didn’t think I’d make it but everyone was so supportive on the road, and it really was something I’ve never experienced.”

Along the entire route a Cadence member rode with each of the groups, patiently making sure everyone finished safely.

In the end SAB sponsored a few Guinness beers, funny hats and trophies to the best-dressed group, the best individual rider, and the best team.

Cadence said they would definitely host this ride again next year and enjoyed the partnership with Dros, as they were helping each other to get back on their feet again after a long and difficult lockdown for both the cycling and the restaurant industry.