First time ever in R’fontein – The Flèche Vélocio
The Flèche Vélocio started in France in 1947.
On Saturday, 15 April, the Rooimiere team will leave Randfontein on their bicycles for the first The Flèche team ride.
The first Flèche Vélocio was completed in France in 1947. It is a team ride with a duration of 24 hours. The number of teams is unlimited, and each team chooses its own starting point and its own route. In the French version all teams start on Good Friday or early on Saturday, and head to the traditional Easter cycling rally in Provence. During the Easter weekend teams of different nationalities from all over the world will cycle to their pre-planned destinations .
“For the first time in South Africa, three teams in Gauteng will start at their respective locations. The Rooimiere Team will start in Randfontein and plan to finish at the Lido Hotel in Eikenhof the next day.” said team captain André van der Merwe.
Each team must cycle for 24 hours and their control cards will be signed at pre-planned stops where they can replenish their supplies, get food, medical and mechanical assistance from a support vehicle, and change their clothes. The minimum distance of 360 kilometres must be completed within the 24 hours.
The Rooimiere team from Randfontein starts at Randgate Spar. The control stops will be Fochville, Parys, Deneysville, Villiers, Three Rivers and Henley-on-Klip. André said the total distance they plan on riding is 408 kilometres.
The team members are Charmaine van der Merwe, Amelia and Johan van Duyn, (tandem), Marjorie Faber, Johann Williamson and André, bringing the total to five bicycles.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
