Want excitement, have lap races! It's as simple as that. And that's exactly what the OUTsurance Tshwane Mayoral Ride, Pretoria's signature cycle race - and a lap race at that - will again be about when it takes place for the third time on 21 September 2008.
The Union Buildings at the top of Meintjes Kop is quickly becoming part of South African cycling folklore and there can hardly be a more picturesque place in the whole of South Africa to watch well-honed cyclists battle it out against each other on a notorious ascent.
Scores of cyclists have stories to tell about the climb to the Union Buildings. A lot of guts and tears are spilled on the way to the top, which you have to reach 6 times in the 77km OUTride. But those who complete the task will tell you there is nothing more exhilarating than winning your own mind-over-matter battle.
And for the fun riders it affords loved ones and acquaintances to cheer you on every time you come past them. The OUTride is unique because the fun riders are on the circuit at the same time as the elites, which gives fun riders a ringside seat of the elite action.
The concept is only possible because of the closure on wonderful wide roads that is secured by the Tshwane Metro Police Department.
Because of the date shift from 29 July to 21 September the format is going to be even more exciting this year with fun riders taking off at 6:30 and completing their event before the professionals and licensed CSA categories start going off at 11:00.
This will afford fun riders the opportunity of joining their families at the Union Buildings (a bus shuttle service will again be running between the State Theatre and the Union Buildings) to watch the professional race on the climb.
The prize money for the OUTride is a whopping R50 000 this year, which is going to make the professional race one of the most competitive in South African Cycling.
OUTride Quick Facts
When: Sunday, 21 September 2008
Where: State Theatre, Pretoria (start and finish)
Format: 10.5km circuit lap ride
Distances: 35km (3 laps) / 77km (7 laps) / Kiddies ride
Route: SA Championship Route around the Union Buildings
Starting time: Fun riders: 6:30. CSA licensed groups: 11:00
Prize money: R50 000
On-line entries close: 15 September 2008
Free water bottle to every on-line entrant
Free T-shirt to all on-line entrants in the 77km ride
Medals to all finishers
Be the first to receive a complimentary August issue of Cyclingnews Magazine
Spot prizes at Prize giving, sponsored by Queens Cycles, OUTsurance, USN and Cyclingnews
Loads of entertainment at Start/Finish venue
29 May 2008
Scores of cyclists have stories to tell about the climb to the Union Buildings. A lot of guts and tears are spilled on the way to the top, which you have to reach 6 times in the 77km OUTride.