Virtual cycle event held by locals in aid of Anti-Freeze

Farrarmere resident Aiden Choles and Dion Guy, a Rynfield resident, are both avid endurance cyclists who held the Zwift Indoor Ultra MTB Marathon event last year to raise money for SA Harvest.

This year they have decided to do it again for Operation Anti-Freeze, with the event being called v315km for Hunger and taking place on March 6.

Operation Anti-freeze is an inner-city upliftment project and registered NPO.

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This NPO reaches the underprivileged in Ekurhuleni districts such as Benoni, Brakpan, Boksburg, Germiston, Kempton Park, Nigel, Springs, Bedfordview and Edenvale.

They have a variety of projects: soup kitchens, blanket drive, Christmas hamper drive, toy and stationery run and schoolchildren care, which cater for the less fortunate.

“The last event was held during lockdown in April when all events were cancelled,” explained Choles.

“It gave people the opportunity to do a virtual 360km event (in Zwift) while stuck at home, but riding for a cause on their indoor machines.”

Last year a total of R120 000 was raised and donated to SA Harvest.

SA Harvest created a food rescue and distribution platform that will ultimately enable them to realising their mission.

Their mission is to ensure every South African is able to access adequate nutritious food on a daily basis.

This platform is based on four pillars – food rescue, education, engagement and innovation.

“This year, with many events still not taking place, we have decided to do it again,” said Choles. “This will also help to keep the legs spinning and help those in need.”

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The distances are 315km and 160km.

Mike Chumbley, a Farrarmere resident and keen endurance cyclist, is also helping to organise the event this year.

“We are finalising some prize sponsorships for those who compete and finish on the podium,” explained Choles.

“We encourage people to support the cause by donating on BackaBuddy and supporting Operation Anti-Freeze.”

There are three ways to back the riders:

• Per pizza slice burnt: Zwift tracks calories burnt as pizza slice equivalents, at roughly 285 calories each. If you are riding the v315, we challenge you to back yourself by sponsoring R12 for every slice burnt – you’re likely to burn about 12 000 calories. That’s 42 slices (or R500). Ask your friends and family to sponsor some pizza slices too.

• Per km: The race is 315km on Zwift, so back our riders with R1.50 per km (about R500).

• Choose an amount you would like to donate.

For more information or to donate go to https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/v315km-4-hunger or contact Aiden Choles on 0833267584.