Roads will be closed across the city on Sunday, 16 November for the Cycle Challenge. Check alternative routes if you are going out, or stay put and watch Joburg's safest race, on TV.

ROADS in both the northern and southern suburbs will be closed to traffic on Sunday, 16 November to allow for a safe and smooth Pick n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge.

Hailed as the city's safest race, the annual Cycle Challenge is in its 12th year, with over 25 000 cyclists registered to pedal on Jozi streets, confirms Harford Sports Promotions, the race organisers. 

Last year’s winner, Herman Fouche, is expected to defend his title on Sunday Photo: Enoch Lehung

All pedestrians and motorists who will be travelling to, from and around the city of gold on Sunday have been urged to take note of the full road closures and apply extra caution. They must familiarise themselves with affected roads and ensure that they plan their journeys accordingly. 

The spokesman for the Johannesburg metropolitan police department, chief superintendent Wayne Minnaar, warns that a strong contingent of his cops will man all closed intersections, and "no vehicles will be allowed on any of the closed roads".

Because safety is paramount for cyclists, the City has granted the right of full road closure and its roads will also be monitored by the metro police, the Johannesburg Roads Agency and the Gauteng department of public transport, roads and works.

Online help
For 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, log on to the Cycle Challenge website.

The 94,7km-long challenge begins at 5.30am on Woodmead Drive, between the Maxwell and Van Reenen drives intersection in Woodmead East, and finishes at the 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 the start on Woodmead Drive, the route will travel to Johannesburg and Newtown in the central business district, go over the Nelson Mandela Bridge into Braamfontein, and climb steadily up Jan Smuts Avenue, north through Diepsloot, to the finish line at Waterfall Country Estate.

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.

Pedestrians
Pedestrians are urged 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.

While road closures are necessary to keep cyclists safe during the Pick n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge, many businesses along the route will still be open and accessible, confirms Pippa Rowles, the public relations and communications co-ordinator for Primedia Broadcasting, the race owners.

Rowles says that Woodmead Retail Park will be accessible via the Eastern Service Road/Old Pretoria Road, which motorists and pedestrians can get to from Allandale Road or Marlboro Drive all day.

"Woodmead Drive will also be open from 11.30am, as will the M1 South. So a little detour is all you need to make sure you get all your weekend shopping done."

Cosmo City
Cosmo City, on Malibongwe Drive, will not be cut off to traffic. While the eastbound carriageway of Malibongwe Drive will be closed, its westbound will be open to traffic in both directions, from South Africa Street, heading south.

"Detailed directions are available on the Cycle Challenge website, but if you need to get to Lanseria International Airport, remember that the N14 from the west is open as far as the Malibongwe off-ramp, which motorists can take, and continue left along Malibongwe Drive to the airport," she explains.

Traffic coming from Joburg north will be diverted to the William Nicol off-ramp, to follow Cedar Avenue to the Lanseria turnoff; alternatively motorists can take the Beyers Naude exit and then turn back on to the N14 and take the Malibongwe turn-off.

"Please ensure you leave with time to spare as there may be unusual traffic flow along the route you choose to take," Rowles urges.

Last chance to register
In addition to the race, the Cycle Challenge Expo - Gauteng's biggest cycling and health expo - runs until tomorrow, Saturday, 15 November at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Sandton.

It is the last chance to register for the challenge, which has been ranked the biggest mass-participation, timed sporting event in the world. It started on Thursday, 13 November.

The expo spotlights cycling, nutrition, sports clothing and sports stores; about 40 000 people are expected to participate.

Entrance is free and doors are open from 10am until 7pm today; and from 8am until 4pm on Saturday. All participating cyclists, including those in the mountain bike challenge, must collect their race packs and numbers at the expo, or they will not be allowed to ride.

The 40km mountain bike challenge, sponsored by energy drink Energade, will be staged on a tough, specially designed bike track, tomorrow, Saturday, 15 November, inside the Waterfall Country Estate, in Sunninghill.

Medals will be awarded to cyclists who participate in the mountain bike challenge and the cycle challenge.

Some 4 000 cyclists have registered for the former, which has set a benchmark with a record number of entries; this makes it South Africa's largest mountain bike race.

Finish line
Waterfall Country Estate is situated between Woodmead and Midrand, providing a picturesque environment along the banks of the Jukskei River, which meanders through the estate. It is close to Ben Schoeman Highway between Pretoria and Johannesburg, with its boundaries formed by Allandale Road, the World of Golf and Woodmead Drive.

Rowles adds: "Cyclists and guests at the finish are asked to follow all instruction boards and to familiarise themselves with the finish layout, to ensure the parking system flows smoothly, and the land is left in the pristine condition it was in before the race."

Late entries will be accepted at an extra charge of R345. For further information telephone the race office on 011 463 2743. Entries for the mountain bike challenge are closed; however, it is still possible to enter the main race, for an extra charge of R345. For further information telephone the race office on 011 463 2743.

Participants
Prominent cyclists billed to take part in the race include the five Js of Neotel - Johann Rabie, Jaco Venter, Jacques Janse van Rensburg, Jeremy Maartens and James Perry - as well as the sprinter Nolan Hoffman.

Barry Austin, Neotel's team manager says his team is poised and ready for the challenged. "Jaco and Johann are all-rounders who can climb and both are more than capable sprinters who can win the race from a small breakaway. I will save Nolan if the race should end in a bunch sprint," Austin explains.

Also, Paul Rotherham, a 94.7 Highveld Stereo deejay, will ride the 94.7 challenge as an ambassador for Race4Change, a web-based fund-raising platform.

Rotherham will be raising funds for the Homeless Talk Crèche, of which a large percent of the race's net profit has been earmarked.

The Pick n Pay 94.7 Cycle Challenge takes to Jozi streets this Sunday, 16 November, with a record of over 25 000 entries; it will be broadcast live on SuperSport 1 from 1pm to 6pm, with the broadcast comprising highlights from earlier in the day.