We commenced the 94.7km 'race' (major sponsors are 94.7FM Highveld radio and Pick n' Pay supermarket) at 10am with around 30,000 other keen cyclists. It is the most popular cycle race in Joburg because all of the roads are closed for the duration of the race making it very safe. We rode down the M1 highway into the city, across Nelson Mandela bridge, then back through the northern suburbs into the surrounding countryside before finishing in Sunninghill.The course was incredibly hilly. Whilst there weren't many extremely steep climbs, nearly all of the climbs were long and felt never ending!
The conditions were really good. There was a bit of wind which kept it cool plus occasional clouds to shelter us from the sun.
We finished in under 4hrs with an average of 24km/hr. We were happy with this considering we have only ridden our bikes 60km over the last 3 1/2 months... Pete's top speed was 73.2km/hr whilst mine was 69.1km/hr- think that's the fastest to date for us both! Don't worry... the road was dead straight at the time :)
Top: Pete getting ready for ride at his office (note our new Audi!)
Bottom: Johannesburg CBD and Nelson Mandela bridge in forefront
L: In our holding pen waiting for start time. The start line is ~1km away- thousands of people in front of us also waiting
R: exhausted (but still smiling) at end of race