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For 12 years roads across the city have been closed for the Pick n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge, and this year is no exception. So plan your routes carefully to avoid being held up by 25 000 cyclists racing through Joburg.
Crossing the Mandela Bridge into Braamfontein
MAJOR roads will be closed to traffic on Sunday, 16 November, after the City gave the organisers of the Pick n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge the go ahead.
Closing the roads will help to ensure the event lives up to its name - Joburg's safest race. It is now in its 12th year.
Harford Sports Promotions, the race organisers, have urged motorists and pedestrians to find out which roads will be closed and to plan their journeys accordingly.
The 94,7km-long challenge will begin at 5.30am on Woodmead Drive, between the Maxwell and Van Reenen drives intersection in Woodmead East, and finish at Waterfall Country Estate, on the corner of Maxwell Drive and the R55 in Sunninghill. No vehicles will be allowed on any of the closed roads.
From its northern starting point, the race route travels through Joburg to Newtown in the central business district, crosses over the Nelson Mandela Bridge into Braamfontein, goes up Jan Smuts Avenue and through Diepsloot, to the finish line at Waterfall Country Estate, again in the north.
More than 25 000 cyclists have signed up to take part.
A new 5,6km ride through the central business district has been added this year, allowing cyclists to see the developments in the area.
Because the safety of cyclists and motorists is paramount, roads will be monitored by the Johannesburg metro police department, the Johannesburg Roads Agency and the Gauteng department of public transport, roads and works. Executive Mayor Amos Masondo has given his support to the event.
"The organisers will be pulling out all the stops to ensure [it] runs smoothly," according to a press release from the organisers.
Affected roads
Affected roads include the R55 from the intersection of Maxwell and Woodmead drives to the M1 South on-ramp. They will be closed from 4.30am until 4.30pm and no vehicles will be allowed to cross during this time.
Other major roads will also be closed across the city and motorists are advised to use alternative routes. These include the M1 South from the Buccleuch Interchange to the Newtown on-ramp, which will be closed from 5.30am until 12.15pm.
Organisers have urged pedestrians to use bridges and under carriages at the Marlboro, Grayston and Corlett drives on- and off-ramps; at Athol Oaklands Road, Glenhove Avenue and 11th Avenue; on Riviera and Oxford roads; and at Smit Street.
Nelson Mandela Bridge will also be closed to traffic from Carr Street to Bertha Street from 5.30am until 12.15pm. Motorists should use the Queen Elizabeth Bridge as an alternative.
"Cyclists are asked to please familiarise themselves with the venue layout to ensure smooth traffic flow and parking on the day," the statement reads.
The Cycle Challenge website has a full list of the road closures and a detailed route map with an interactive route finder that will automatically map the route you need to take to reach your destination.
"All the basics of great race control will most certainly be present, courtesy of full road closure and huge support from the City and stunning corporate involvement ... the race is forever evolving," reads the Pick n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge website.
Expo
Taking place before the race is Gauteng's biggest health and cycling expo, with an emphasis on cycling, nutrition, sports clothing and sports stores. The expo and Cycle Challenge registration will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Sandton, from 13 to 15 November.
It is expected to attract more than 45 000 people from around the world.
Entry to the expo is free and doors are open from 10am until 6pm on Thursday; from 10am until 7pm on Friday; and 8am until 4pm on Saturday. All participating cyclists, including children, must collect their race packs and numbers at the expo, or they will not be allowed to ride.
The Pick n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge is the second largest cycling event of its kind and the biggest mass-participation, timed sporting event in the world. It comprises two races: a 180km race for professional cyclists and a "gruelling 94,7km route" race for amateurs.
In addition to the main races, there is a mountain bike challenge sponsored by energy drink Energade, taking place on a tough, specially designed bike track, on Saturday, 15 November. The 40km race will start and finish inside the Waterfall Country Estate, in Sunninghill.
Medals will be awarded to cyclists who participate in the mountain bike challenge and the cycle challenge; there are no medals for the children's race.
Children
The 20km children's cycle challenge takes place on Saturday, 8 November, at Leeukop Farm in Kyalami. It is sponsored by Spur Steak Ranches.
Voted Road Race of the Year in 2003, 2005 and 2006 at the annual Pick n Pay Go Banking Cyclist of the Year Awards, the cycle challenge is fully endorsed by the City and is sponsored by Pick n Pay, sports drink Energade, Virgin Active and 94.7 Highveld Stereo.
A full 77 percent of its net profit is earmarked for social responsibility programmes, including the Homeless Talk pre-school in Joubert Park, a day-care facility for the children of Homeless Talk vendors.
Once again, this year's Cycle Challenge will be broadcast live on SuperSport 1 from 1pm to 6pm, with the broadcast comprising highlights from earlier in the day.
Late entries will be accepted at an extra charge of R345. For further information telephone the race office on 011 463 2743.
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