With the holiday season looming and Christmas cheer in the air, there is no rest for the cyclists looking ahead to next year’s aQuellé Tour Durban with Wednesday signaling about 150 days to go to Durban’s premier cycling event on April 20-21.
The event caters for mountain bikers, road cyclists, gravel bikers, tandems, para-cycles and now even runners, and the emphasis for next year’s event is all about enjoying the outdoors, being healthy and supporting a worthy cause.
Daryl Harris, chairman of the organising club, East Coast Cycling Club and himself a veteran of 10 Tour Durban races, has encouraged cyclists of all levels to enjoy the weekend.
“While there is a racing category for the cyclists who chase the win, we want the social pedallers, the people who can laugh and tell stories from the event to take on the challenge,” he said.
“While we always value the support and participation of those who have been a part of the event through the years, it’s the new entrants who keep the race alive heading into the future.”
A full weekend lies ahead for cyclists in April with Saturday staging the mountain bike events – which constitutes 10km, 20km and 40km MTB races as well as a 30km gravel ride added for the first time. For those who prefer running shoes to cycling cleats, the Tour Durban will for the first time offer a trail running option with 5km, 10km and 20km options available.
All the off-road events will start near Cornubia.
On Sunday, the 28km, 42km and 110km road races take centre stage, starting in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue (NMR), outside Moses Mabhida Stadium, and heading along the M4 toward Umdloti. The 110km ride adds a section of the M41 before heading back to Durban.
The primary beneficiary of the event is the Domino Foundation, a Durban based NPO that creates essential structures supporting people, projects and communities, adding value and purpose to many lives.
Entries for the aQuellé Tour Durban have opened and there is no limit to entry numbers.
“We want to encourage and attract as many cyclists as possible – individuals and those with families,” said Harris.
“Durban is all about sun and fun and the Tour Durban is a massive slice of that lifestyle for everyone to enjoy.”
Entries are available at www.roag.org.
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