OVER the Christmas holiday, Amanzimtoti Cycling Club participated in a number of fun rides, incorporating other cycling clubs in and around Durban, as well as undertaking in some community donations.
On 16 December, a few mountain bikers undertook to travel out to the rural areas where they often ride, to donate large water containers and other goodies to the locals, which was a thank you to them for allowing the Toti Mambas safe riding throughout these areas.
A big thank you to Billy Bridge for instigating this exercise. On 20 December both the Roadies and Mambas joined up with Umkomaas and Scottburgh cyclists on the annual Christmas breakfast ride to Scottburgh. Over the month of December a few night rides were organised by Kings Park Cycling Club to enjoy the Christmas lights of Durban, which was well supported by the Roadies and Mambas.
On 26 December the traditional annual Boxing Day ride took place where a large contingent of Toti cyclists left at 4.30am to ride into Durban, where they met up with all the Durban cycling clubs, and some 150 cyclists then made their way back to Toti, where everyone enjoyed some coffee, chelsea buns and camaraderie at The Thirsty Whale. Thereafter the Durban clubs rode back to Durban. This is an age-old traditional ride that everyone in cycling looks forward to, started originally by Dave Wiseman from Dave Wiseman Cycles, and now run by Greg Alberts from Cyclesphere.
Toti Mambas have been enjoying rides around Rocky Bay, Renishaw and Ballito, and a few have attempted the training required for the upcoming Drak Descent on 22 and 23 January, but with all the festive cheer, how much was actually done is up for debate.
The Toti Roadies have entertained a whole host of upcountry holidaymaker cyclists with some decent length rides up and down the coast, and now comes the serious training for the upcoming Cape Town Cycle Tour (The Argus) happening on 6 March.
KZN Cycling Championships take place this coming weekend with the individual time trial on Saturday, 16 January out at the Lion Park, and the road championships on Sunday, 17 January around Camperdown and Eston.
Up and coming Toti cyclist, Dylan Chapman, is taking part in the U23 category. He has been given a full sponsorship for a year by South Coast Cycles, Athlone Park, so the club wishes Dylan the best of luck. He would appreciate support on the road.
Toti Cycle Club wishes all the cyclists the best of luck for these champs, and every cyclist a happy 2016 and safe cycling.