Tenth Berge en Dale Cycle Race Promises to be a milestone

Tenth Berge en Dale Cycle Race promises to be a milestone

Rome wasn’t built in a day. A cycle race needs time to grow. This years tenth Berge en Dale Classic cycle race will be a very special event with a scintillating new route and marvelous new venue.

Starting out as a small event with only middle and short distance routes in 2000, the race showed good growth to increase the number of participants tenfold within 5 years. From the second year the race incorporated a long distance route, which soon proved even more popular than the middle and short distance routes. Due to increased traffic in the Ruimsig area on the Northwest Rand the venue and route had to be changed to the Cradle of Humankind in 2007. However, newly tarred roads and a new venue have made it possible to develop a spectacular and safer route with partial road closure.

The new route starts at the Silverstar Casino in Muldersdrift, and passes through the outskirts of Krugersdorp and the Cradle of Humankind before getting onto the N14 highway to Diepsloot and back again to Muldersdrift. The route has double lanes in both directions for most of the way with a bare minimum of intersections to minimise a conflict of interest with other road users. Half the route is along the N14 where the yellow and left lanes will be closed off for cyclists, while other vehicles will still be able to use the right hand lane. Traffic police and other officials patrol the whole route, with ER24 attending to medical emergencies, and a specialist organisation coordinating the whole race by radio.

The route is a scenic one to ride too. It takes cyclists through the northern outskirts of Krugersdorp with its protea bushes and spectacular views from hills of the Witwatersrand, and then through the Cradle of Humankind past the Lion and Rhino Park and romantic wedding venues. Riding in the bunch along the N14 is something participants in the 94.7 know, but this time cyclists will return to Muldersdrift on the other side of the highway too. This is a ride you don’t want to miss!

Finally, for the competitive cyclists this will provide an ideal opportunity to test their wings. The route offers many opportunities to attack and counterattack, and team tactics will no doubt play a big role in the outcome of the event. As in the past all the top teams and riders are expected to participate, creating quite an atmosphere.

The race is well supported by local vehicle dealer Action Mazda, and a number of supporting sponsors (USN, Chubb, Ride Magazine, Cyclone Sportswear, Planet Fitness, West Rand Cycles, and Interactive Security). Part of the funds raised go to Reach for a Dream, who support children with life-threatening diseases. More information is available at http://www.nhkweltevreden.net/BD09.htm. Entries can be done online at http://www.cyclelab.com until 19 January 2009.