Cycling in South Africa in the Momentum 94.7

After a year of planning our trip of a lifetime, we entered the Momentum 94.7 - the worldÂ’s largest timed cycle ride with over 35,000 cyclists.

November 2013 saw Pat and myself travel to South Africa from Newfoundland, Canada to enter the Momentum 94.7 - a ride for a purpose with our Bike Friday Tandem Two's-day. We chose to ride with the Cows, a group of over 400 cyclists dressed in Cow spots to raise funds for children with cancer in South Africa.

We helped raise 3,200,000 rands for the cause on the day. There were over 250 tandems in our original start group. We received many looks on our Tandem Two's-day. There were such questions as, "Do you have to peddle twice as hard? How did you manage to bring the tandem on the plane?" etc.

The ride consisted of 94.7 km around Johannesburg at 5,000 feet above sea level with a further 5,000-foot climb throughout the ride in 35 degree heat.

Some of the downhills we reached upwards of 70 km per hour. It was a beautiful day and to ride in suburbia, downtown Joburg and on the motorways with all the roads closed to only the cyclists of the day was an experience we shall never forget.

Travelling back and forth internationally and regionally, the Tandem Two's-day stood up to all the abuse the airports could give in their travel cases.

We assembled and disassembled the bike on more than one occasion with little if any adjustments.

We visited Plettenburg on the East Coast with the breeze of the Indian Ocean on our backs, the Stellenbosch wine regions and finishing off in Cape Town.

In the two years we have owned our Bike Friday Tandem Two's-day, we have travelled throughout Canada, Florida, the UK and now South Africa - always taking our Downhome with us to read on our many travels. I would recommend it to anyone.   Submitted By: Steve watson