Cycle race takes care of welfare

WHAT do the Ombili Foundation’s water tower, N$70 000 worth of prostheses for landmine victims, an expensive saw for the Dagbreek School, Easter eggs for the Radio Wave project, 20 wheelchairs and new beds and bedding for the Katutura Old Age have in common? These are just some of the many projects supported by the Windhoek Rotary Club that have benefited from The Namibian Model Pick ‘n Pay Cycle in the past year.

In addition to the medals and prizes won by cyclists, Rotary, co-organiser of the race with the Windhoek Pedal Power Club, makes sure that as many community projects as possible benefit from the funds raised from the hundreds of riders who take part in the annual event. Most of the money comes from the sponsors, though.Things have come a long way since the first Cycle Classic with its 750 riders in 2000.Organising a fun cycling event had been a dream of the late David Chase, a Rotarian who wanted to see something along the lines of the amazing Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour.Today, the Cycle Classic is the only event outside South Africa that is a qualifier for the Cape Argus, as its known for short, with its 35 000 entrants.Riders who take part in the 100 km distance is the Cycle Classic are seeded for the Cape Argus.This seeding gives the cyclist a chance to ride in a group of people who can complete that distance in roughly the same time.Model Pick ‘n Pay has donated an extra N$10 000 this year to allow two Namibians to take part in the Cape Argus race for the first time.To encourage more schools to take part, there is also N$5 000 up for grabs for the school with the most entrants.Each of the first 10 cyclists on non-geared bikes in the three categories, 30, 65 and 100 km, will win geared bikes purchased from the BEN project.Entry forms for this year’s event are available at all 14 Pick ‘n Pay branches and major cycling shops.The closing date is Saturday, October 7.Most of the money comes from the sponsors, though.Things have come a long way since the first Cycle Classic with its 750 riders in 2000.Organising a fun cycling event had been a dream of the late David Chase, a Rotarian who wanted to see something along the lines of the amazing Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour.Today, the Cycle Classic is the only event outside South Africa that is a qualifier for the Cape Argus, as its known for short, with its 35 000 entrants.Riders who take part in the 100 km distance is the Cycle Classic are seeded for the Cape Argus.This seeding gives the cyclist a chance to ride in a group of people who can complete that distance in roughly the same time.Model Pick ‘n Pay has donated an extra N$10 000 this year to allow two Namibians to take part in the Cape Argus race for the first time.To encourage more schools to take part, there is also N$5 000 up for grabs for the school with the most entrants.Each of the first 10 cyclists on non-geared bikes in the three categories, 30, 65 and 100 km, will win geared bikes purchased from the BEN project.Entry forms for this year’s event are available at all 14 Pick ‘n Pay branches and major cycling shops.The closing date is Saturday, October 7.