Durban – Avid cyclists in seven different centres around the country staged a successful 2016 edition of the fabled 100 Miles Of Nowhere cycle on training bikes as part of the annual CHOC fundraiser run by the KZN herd of The Cows.
Using three Cadence studios in Durban and one in Pietermaritzburg, Bryanston, Cape Town and Pretoria, riders tackled the 160 kilometers in teams of two or four, with road racing star Cashandra Slingerland taking it on solo, and almost being the first to complete the distance, showing her return to top form as part of her comeback to elite racing.
The pace was set by Werner Moolman’s Bluff Meat Supply team at the Westville Cadence throughout, with impressive competition coming from the Cape mountain bikers Darren Lill, Waylon Woolcock, Candice Neethling and Timo Cooper in Tyger Valley.
In Durban North, former Bok skipper John Smit ground out his share of the 100 Miles, riding with his wife Roxy and another former Shark and Bok front rower John Allen.
The Hillcrest studio saw a team of the Sunfoil Dolphins cricketers taking up the challenge with Mthokozisi Shezi handing over to fellow pace bowler Craig Alexander, before skipper Morne van Wyk took over after 80 kilometers on the team bike, with newly appointed coach Grant Morgan finishing off the team’s contribution to the charity ride.
“Yes, it is a tough way to spend a Friday afternoon, but the 100 Miles Of Nowhere is great personal test for every one of us,” said Iris Varty, one of the original founders of the South African version of the American blogger FatCylist’s famous ride.
“Everyone gets tired and sore, but when you go through a bad patch you just think about what the kids that are being looked after at CHOC house while they are undergoing their cancer treatment, and your pain and discomfort seems insignificant,” she added.
Riders collected funds for CHOC (Childhood Haematology and Oncology Clinics) by paying for their team bikes for the afternoon and also attracting donations and sponsorship.
More information can be found at www.100milesofnowhere.co.za.
