Cycle Classic aims for 2000 mark

TARGET 2 000 and that’s official! Organisers of this year’s The Namibian Model Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Classic 2007 are pulling out all the stops to have 2 000 cyclists out on the road pedalling for charity on Sunday, October 14.

Now in its seventh year, the annual event is also the only qualifier outside South Africa for the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour, the world’s largest individually timed cycle race – and the first event outside Europe to be included in the International Cycling Union’s Golden Bike Series. It takes place in March 2008 for the 30th time after its humble beginnings in 1978 with 525 participants.Cyclists qualifying through the local event are then seeded for the Argus, allowing them to ride in groups with similar times.The South African event attracts 35 000 entries.The Namibian Model Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Classic started in 2000 with 750 riders, which increased to 1 440 entries last year.Organised by the Windhoek Rotary Club and Windhoek Pedal Power, cyclists of all levels and ages compete over 30, 65 and 100 kilometres in and around Windhoek.While the main reason for the Cycle Classic is to raise funds for Rotary community projects, the second is to offer Namibia a major cycling event where people from all communities can get together for a day of fun.Schools in and around Windhoek, and others who wish to take part, are offered 10 free entries to encourage more youngsters to get involved in the sport.This year there is a special prize of N$5 000 for the school with the most entries, on a pro-rata basis.The school with the second most takes home N$3 000, while there is N$2 000 for the third-placed school.For more information, contact Rotarian Dave Cook at 081 200 1695.On the Saturday before the main event, October 13, the youngest cyclists get their chance in the Kiddies Classic at the registration point at the United Sports Club in Olympia, Windhoek.The Windhoek Pedal Power club also assists cyclists from Oshakati to travel south and challenge cyclists from Windhoek.The Namibian newspaper is promoting the event with N$100 000 in advertising while Model Pick ‘ Pay is injecting N$90 000.Coca-Cola is putting up sponsorship of N$40 000 while the other main sponsor, Radio Wave, is making sure every potential cyclist gets the message over the airwaves.Other sponsors include First National Bank, Cymot, Murray and Roberts, Barloworld, John Meinert Printers, SBS Trucking, International SOS, Tiger Wheel and Tyre, Rent a Drum and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation.Individual entries are N$50 with teams (with three or four members) paying N$180 to take part.It takes place in March 2008 for the 30th time after its humble beginnings in 1978 with 525 participants.Cyclists qualifying through the local event are then seeded for the Argus, allowing them to ride in groups with similar times.The South African event attracts 35 000 entries.The Namibian Model Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Classic started in 2000 with 750 riders, which increased to 1 440 entries last year.Organised by the Windhoek Rotary Club and Windhoek Pedal Power, cyclists of all levels and ages compete over 30, 65 and 100 kilometres in and around Windhoek.While the main reason for the Cycle Classic is to raise funds for Rotary community projects, the second is to offer Namibia a major cycling event where people from all communities can get together for a day of fun.Schools in and around Windhoek, and others who wish to take part, are offered 10 free entries to encourage more youngsters to get involved in the sport.This year there is a special prize of N$5 000 for the school with the most entries, on a pro-rata basis.The school with the second most takes home N$3 000, while there is N$2 000 for the third-placed school.For more information, contact Rotarian Dave Cook at 081 200 1695.On the Saturday before the main event, October 13, the youngest cyclists get their chance in the Kiddies Classic at the registration point at the United Sports Club in Olympia, Windhoek.The Windhoek Pedal Power club also assists cyclists from Oshakati to travel south and challenge cyclists from Windhoek.The Namibian newspaper is promoting the event with N$100 000 in advertising while Model Pick ‘ Pay is injecting N$90 000.Coca-Cola is putting up sponsorship of N$40 000 while the other main sponsor, Radio Wave, is making sure every potential cyclist gets the message over the airwaves.Other sponsors include First National Bank, Cymot, Murray and Roberts, Barloworld, John Meinert Printers, SBS Trucking, International SOS, Tiger Wheel and Tyre, Rent a Drum and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation.Individual entries are N$50 with teams (with three or four members) paying N$180 to take part.