Cyclists had a blast at a pre-ride for the Hollard Jozi Urban Mountain Bike Adventure (Juma) that was packed with fun games, obstacles and trails that one could not normally traverse.
The 15km trail ride on 8 August gave representatives of Joburg’s cycling clubs, cycling magazines, cycling event emcees and other elite cyclists a glimpse of what is to come when hundreds hit the street on 25 August.
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The Juma will include 1km, 2km, 10km, 22km, 54km and 72km routes for cyclists ranging from the inexperienced to elite, with the 1km and 2km rides catering specifically for children aged four to six and seven to nine respectively.
The pre-ride took participants along stretches of these routes that included stormwater drain tunnels, trails in the veld, part of Parkview Golf Course, scaffolding and the road.
For the Juma, R5 million is being spent on various obstacles and the cleaning of stormwater drains.
“This, our fifth Juma, is a unique mountain bike event because you get to tour the best parts of urban Joburg and see places you would not normally have access to,” said Heidi Brauer, chief marketing officer for Hollard Insurance.
“When you ride you get to see the underbelly and Joburg’s nature sites. You go over koppies, in storm water drains, on a golf course. Cyclists love this. It makes you fall in love with the city.”
Jason Martin of Modern Athlete magazine completed the pre-ride with energy to spare.
” It was great fun. I got a chance to explore places I have never been before even though I ride in the area a lot. It was an adventure,” he said.
Marnus Steyn of Woesrand MTB said he had never cycled in a stormwater drain tunnel before and enjoyed the challenge.
Victoria Rose, the owner of Ride Like a Girl, described the pre-ride as ‘super epic’.
“I love that we get to be out on our bikes meeting new people, exploring the city,” she said. “For anybody coming to the Juma, especially the ladies, the best advice I can give you is there’s no shame in walking, but most important of all just come out here, have fun on your bike.”
Details: www.juma.co.za
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