Celebrating 20 years of Amanzimtoti Cycling Club
The biggest changes at the club include mountain biking becoming the main focus of the club and road racing has taken the back seat.
It has been 20 years since a notice advertising the Amanzimtoti Cycling Club’s inaugural meeting was published in the SUN. The club has since shifted gear and swerved onto the fast lane. Avid rider and long-standing member of the club, Gavin Grix, 63, shared the remarkable history of the club.
“Brendan Lloyd and Terry Espitalier both had the idea of opening up a cycling club and fortunately they both heard about the other. They decided to have one club and held an inaugural meeting calling other riders. I was one of the people who attended along with several others. In the beginning, the club was basically for road racing and mountain biking was unheard of at the time. Road racing was popular at the time since riders could compete in two races per month of anything from between 70 to 100kms. Brendan, Terry and Malcolm Labuscagne put a lot of time and effort into the club. Brian Clifton was responsible for getting us the cycling lane around Athlone Park. It was the second lane in KwaZulu-Natal. This has become a lifesaver to us and we can train safely.”
The club was initially for road racing until 15 years ago when some of the members started dabbling in basic mountain biking. Eventually, members went on to participate in mountain bike races and longer rides.
“We soon had two legs of the club, one for the roadies and the others were for mountain bikers. Gavin and Karen Harvey helped get the mountain bike side of the club up and running. Bruce Cole’s business premises also acted as an unofficial office for the club as well during the early years.”
The biggest changes at the club include mountain biking becoming the main focus of the club and road racing has taken the back seat. The bikes have changed drastically as well and have helped members taken on more challenging routes.
“When I was new on the road I was very serious about cycling, I competed in 18 Amashova, six Sani2c races and the Tour Durban. I had an average of 32km/h. I’ve been riding for about 22 years and I was one of the first riders in the club to do a 180km non-stop ride. I ride for the enjoyment, the freedom and the incredible sights you can see.”
He praised his wife, Jenny for her patience and understanding when he cycles for hours at a time.
“I think the club has done incredibly well to last 20 years. We have members who have gone out of their way to make a difference. The clubhouse is now closed and all fundraising events have been put on hold due to Covid-19. We encourage small groups to go on rides together to maintain social distancing. Social interactions after rides are also discouraged.”
He appeals to encourage younger residents to also join the club and become members.
ALSO READ: Amanzimtoti Cycling Club rises to new heights
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