Almost 2000 cyclists entered for the Rhodes Quality Winelands Cycle Race, presented annually by the Rotary Club of Paarl in preparation for the Cape Town Cycle Tour. Pic: PicSieb
Riders took off early on 26 January for the 102 km race from Wellington to neighbouring town Riebeek Kasteel and back, hoping to avoid the summer heat. Families and less fit riders completed the 52 km short race. The races took riders on routes through green vineyards and golden wheatlands.
They finished at Huguenot Primary School where there were refreshments, medals and a lucky draw prizegiving to round off the day. The race has seen a steady increase in entries since its inception in 1993, and serves as a fundraiser for the club’s welfare projects. Paarl Rotary was assisted by Rotarians from Bellville and members of the Lions.
Cyclists await their turn to approach the start line of the gruelling 102 km race.
First home in the 102 km race was winner Sascha Weber in a time of 2:23:30.
Rotarian June Kroukamp (centre) and Interactors Hendrunice Wagner and Eulynne Skippers gave the marshals a hand.
Rotarians call out the lucky numbers at the prizegiving while cyclists enjoy refreshments at the finish.