Four day charity tour to Maputo

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Luso Africa cycling has taken a stance to cycle annually to Maputo in aid of charity and the team has encouraged and recruited non Portuguese cyclists to ride with them. Albeit the tour being hosted by a Portuguese cultural and social association, the talk of the tour has raised curiosity and attracted well known cyclists to ride for the same cause.  So much so, that Abantu team “The people’s team” joined the Luso Africa cyclists on tour.

The tour consisted of 43 cyclists, two were women, Diana and Claudia Gnudi of the Panda team. The youngest participant was Kieran Correia (16) and the oldest Remo Pasquali (72). Remo has completed six tours and this year was his seventh. He is loyal to the tour as he enjoys the friendship and meeting new people. They were accompanied by five support vehicles.

Every day the cyclists rise and retire early. They nurse their bodies for muscle stress and saddle sore. Their kit has to be washed and dried ready for the next day and  they have to make certain that they maintain their bodies to keep them well balanced and hydrated.  Protein and carbohydrates form a very big part of the diet on tour and are of the utmost importance.

The morning chill on the September 24 was no restriction for the cyclists who had prepared for the 685kms from Johannesburg to Maputo. The seventh tour was about to commence and the hype of activity at the club was friendly, with family and friends helping to load the vehicles and ready to provide their support. The cyclists were paying close attention to their gear and bicycles to ensure that they are set and ready to start their journey. With all the formalities and well wishes done they assembled at the starting point. Excitement, anxiety and pride were emotions clearly visible all around. The Luso Africa motor bike division lined the front of the peloton and waited for the sign. Suddenly the noise of motors bikes moving into motion was heard and the cyclists pulled forward. The tour had begun.

The first stage of the tour is the longest (190kms) but the friendliest in terms of terrain. However, it proved to be a very challenging and tiring stage. The very hot sun accompanied by head and side winds along with the constant stop and go due to road works hampered the smooth ride towards Groblersdal. Cyclists found themselves riding on wet tar, sand roads, very narrow roads, unfinished road surfaces and many sections where the shoulder of the road is non-existent and an unfriendly drop off the tar onto the sandy shoulders. The sense of relief on everyone’s face at the end of the long day was evident.

Stage two (170kms) started at 06:30 with a rather warm morning which indicated a very hot day ahead. Looking at the cyclists while they assembled ready to start the next stage, their face, arms and legs glistened in the sun with the sun screen. Rested and ready for the day they set off towards Lydenburg. A temperature of 37°C was measured at the lunch break.  The shades of the trees on the side of the road provided the cyclists with the sought coolness to rest and recharge the energy levels.

Nothing is out of the norm and no measure too drastic on tour.  Cyclists had to exercise extreme caution during this stage as the pot holes on the road surface made the progress slow and exhausting.  Not for one minute could the concentration be taken off the road ahead. The day however, ended well with members of the Abantu team joining Luso Africa to donate food at a nearby township. The voices of the children shouting to one another with excitement as they ran to meet the cyclists were buffered by the noises of the passing traffic. They came to a halt with questioning and bewildered look on their faces, waiting for what was to come. Food packs were handed out to them and one could see that it was not a regular gesture that they are used to.

Long Tom Pass is the challenge on the third day (175kms). Here cyclists depart in small groups at staggered times to allow everyone to reach the canon at the top of the pass at the same time. Not only do you need leg power but also brain power and encouragement to reach the top. On a few occasions buddy work was witnessed as a stronger rider would help the next. Strange but true this was voted the most popular stage by the cyclists even though it is the toughest.

With the days longer than expected the stress on the muscles becomes different and mind set changes. Just another hill or just another 5km becomes double the effort or distance.

Each evening was abuzz with all the voices and laughter of the day’s happenings.  After supper the quite time settled in when the physical efforts of the day weighed the body down.

The final stage of the tour took a different turn as the tour had to take a detour via Swaziland due to road works. The crossing of three border posts made it a tad cumbersome as the delays were longer than expected. Mozambican cyclists met our cyclists at the border and they all cycled the last leg of the tour together. Gamein Maputo hosted the arrival of the cyclists to celebrate the end of the tour.

Riding a race requires technique and strategy as it is of a competitive nature while patience, tolerance and understanding are the requirements for this four day tour. Stamina and fitness are two components that cannot be excluded. One can try to imagine the experience of the tour, but nothing can beat experiencing all what goes into to it behind the scenes and the final product. To see a group of cyclists from different clubs ride together for a common goal, be part of the camaraderie and spend four days on their bicycles pedalling irrespective of the terrain and weather leaves tears of absolute admiration in one’s eyes.

With the tour behind them one would expect the cyclists to sit back and relax but some of the cyclists were still feeling fit to take the challenge and participate in the kermesse which took place on Sunday morning. The participants and quality of cycling have improved year on year which appears to be very promising for the near future.

The race was won by members of the Abantu team. First place Morne van Niekerk (1:22:08), second, Nolan Hoffman (1:22:09), third, James Perry (1:22:10).

The ladies race was won by Claudia Gnudi (59:33) from the Panda team (SA), second, Carol du Pont (59:39) (Swaz) and third, Vanessa Rosenfeld (1:03:59) (Moz).

Another successful year and another successful tour. Thank you to all the sponsors and cyclists who made the tour possible.

* The article was written by Emily Abrantes.