The Government has taken note of the OUTsurance Tshwane Mayoral Ride, presented by Beeld, and they want to be a part of it.
The pay-off of a well-known, albeit old, Pretoria add in which the "statue" of former president Paul Kruger tells Queen Elizabeth of Britain: "Dit groei net Viccie... Dit groei net...." is starting to ring true as far as the OUTride is concerned. And Pretoria is certainly the place where things are happening.
Since its inception last year the OUTride has just gone from strength to strength.
Not only are the organisers expecting that nearly 4 000 riders - double last year's figure - will participate on 29 July, but the race has also become part Cycling South Africa's newly formed SuperSport series and now the Government wants in.
The Department of Transport has teamed up with the OUTride organisers to further the department's Shova Kalula project, which has set as itself the goal to hand out 1 million bicycles by 2015.
Their main aim with the OUTride will be to market the project and create awareness. They will also work with the organisers, Cyclingnews, and look at ways to assist them with their Soweto Cycling Development project and the Kidz-on-Bikes programme.
The Department will be handing over bicycles to the Tshwane Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who are a partner in the Kidz-on-Bikes project.
According to a spokesperson of the Department of Transport the OUTride is the ideal platform to use for the project, especially because the race is being held in Pretoria's city centre.
On the race day, subject to confirmation, the Minister of Transport, Jeff Radebe, is scheduled to speak about the importance of the Shova Kalula project to the South African economy and about the difference they are hoping to make in the lives of the less fortunate.
OUTride Quick Facts
When: Sunday, 29 July 2007
Where: State Theatre, Pretoria (start and finish)
Format: 10.5km circuit lap ride
Distances: 35km (3 laps) / 77km (7 laps) / Kiddies ride
Kidz on Bikes Classic: 14km for u10 and u12 kids
Route: SA Championship Route around the Union Buildings
Starting time: 8:30
Prize money: R18 950
On-line entries: www.cyclelab.com
On-line entries close: 22 July 2007
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
All online entrants go into a draw to win a Sunn Rage Evo MTB (valued at R8 985) and a Samsung Flat screen TV (valued at R2 895)
Loads of entertainment at Start/Finish venue
For further information contact Wynand de Villiers on (011) 958 1004 or email wynand@cyclingnews.co.za or visit www.outsurance.co.za/outride.
OUTsurance also offers bicycle insurance which will cover your bicycle, including during the race.