Florida North cycling club members off to Cape Town
A Florida North cycling team will participate in the Coronation Double Century this weekend. This cycling challenge attracts 200 teams from across the country.
A West Rand amateur cycling team will be participating in the gruelling 22nd Coronation Double Century cycling challenge in Swellendam this weekend (Saturday, 22 November).
Team New Horizons Cycling Club from Florida North has been hard at work for months, preparing for the 202 kilometre race that will feature 200 teams from across the country. Fazel Mayet, a member of the cycling team said preparations for the challenge were going well.
New Horizons will enter a team of 12 cyclists in the open category with a target of completing the race within eight hours.
The team is coached by Arshard Tayob and the captain and marshal are Riaz Paruk and Owen Coetzee respectively.
“The team is excited to be part of this tough race, but we have prepared well enough to be confident,” he said.
To prepare for the Coronation Double Century, which will be a test of skill and endurance, riders from the team took part in the 700km charity ride from Johannesburg to Durban last month where the team was able to raise over R40 000 for charity.
This will be the first time the team has entered the race, but some of the riders in the team have competed in it before.
“The most important feature of our team is how we support each other during the race; some members are strong in some areas and weak in others so we all have to push ourselves,” said Mayet.
The main aim of the team however, is to spend quality time with each other, enjoying four days in Cape Town.
“We want to have fun as a team because cycling is our passion and hobby, so our main goal is to enjoy the race,” said Mayet.
Director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust (CTCTT), David Bellairs, organiser of the event described the Coronation Double Century as one of the most popular team cycling events on the South African cycling calendar.
“Last year we celebrated its momentous 21st birthday with the fastest win in the history of the race. We have no doubt this year’s event will offer equally satisfying riding conditions, cycling quality and outstanding results,” he said.
The demanding but scenic route passes through the Overberg region, including Montagu, the Tradouw Pass and the tough 7km Op De Tradouw stretch.
