A gruelling 483km in three days on bicycles … this is the challenge 20 cyclists from Johannesburg are facing as they cycle to Bloemfontein as part of the Arola Cycle Tour that raises money to buy Bibles for distribution.
The cyclists set off on 18 February and reached their destination, successfully on 20 February, braving a thunderstorm just outside Parys and some strong headwinds towards Bloemfontein.
“Today is about spreading the Bible, it is about helping each other and getting the weak riders through the cycling so that more Bibles are spread,” said participant and Rosebank resident Johan de Lange.
The aim of the tour is to sponsor 2 500 Bibles, and each of the cyclists is required to donate one bible and also try to get more donors.
“In order to plan a tour of this scope, we have a team of dedicated volunteers managing every aspect of this event,” said tour organiser Christo Prins.
“We are in need of sponsorship toward the 2 500 Bibles as well as corporate companies to get involved in the operational costs of the tour.”
Over the past two Arola tours, the Mosaiëk Community Church’s cyclists have contributed to the distribution of 1 670 Bibles by raising funds. A total of R2 million has been raised over the past 14 years of the tour.
The tour was originally held in Parys and Bloemfontein but two years ago, cyclists of the Mosaïek community in Fairlands decided to add an extra stage from Johannesburg to Parys, giving them the opportunity to join 100 riders from the other regions.
The tour spans 11 municipalities with involvement from Gauteng traffic police, Metro police, Fairland police, ARS Medical Services, the Florida Fire Brigade and countless support vehicles, water points and technical back-up.
Details: Lizette Driescher 084 910 7969.
