Black people enjoy the idea of bicycles but usually, we lean more towards the more swag filled aspects of this pastime.
So pimped-out-looking beach cruisers or those old timers in the kasi who ride around rocking fedoras and formal wear. When it comes to all the reflective gear, figure-hugging booty shorts and those pointy helmets . . . we veer away from that.
In Daveyton, one man is trying to get his community to change their perceptions of this healthy hobby.
Sakhele Gqabaza has always preferred a life lived on two wheels and so he took it upon himself to start the Mpongo Cycling Club.
Read more | Tumi Sole did it with his takkies, Bongani Chinkanda does it with his bike – getting the nation active
“Most of the Mpongo Cycling Club Members are working for different companies and some are self-employed. The club has been in existence since 06 June 2020, so we are turning 4 this year (2024),” he reveals proudly.
His clubs take to the roads on weekends, doing Joy rides, in and around Daveyton, Springs and Benoni as well as Kasi to Kasi rides, visiting other townships like Wattville, KwaThema, Tsakane, Tembisa, etc.
“We also do off-road rides on Mountain Bike Trails at the Benoni Country Club, Red Burn, etc. We have done long rides to places such as Daveyton to Soweto via Johannesburg [68km], to Delma via Bapsfontein [50km], to Mamelodi, via Pretoria [80km], to Nkangala, via Bronkhorstspruit [90km].”
Read more | Zozi Tunzi raises awareness on spread of HIV among youth
They also convene for runs to raise awareness for special causes, “such as Kidney Awareness (March), Human’s Rights Day (21 March), Youth Day (16 June), Mandela Day (18 July), Women’s Day (9 August), Heritage Day (24 September), Cancer Awareness (October), Day of Reconciliation (16 December)”.
Sakhele also says members of his club participate in official cycling races such as the Monte Casino Classico, Dis-Chem cycling race, Emperor Palace Classic, Amashova Durban Classic and the famed 947 Ride Joburg cycling race.”
“I am a very active person, I participate in many sports, like soccer, running, and hiking and in 2018, I added cycling because it is fun to ride a bike, sightseeing, visit areas of interest on our bikes, and most importantly cycling is much easier to do than most sports.”
To join this club, you will need to have a bicycle, the somewhat circumspect but safe attire for cycling, and a helmet and then you need to contact Vusi at +27 72 706 9962 or send an email to [email protected]
