LOCAL CYCLING CLUB DOES WELL AT DOUBLE CENTURY

The sixteenth annual Double Century cycle event was held on Saturday 22nd November in the Overberg area which took in a circular route of 204km from Swellendam via Montague and Bonnievale.Over two thousand cyclists participated in teams of between six and twelve members were once again, like last year faced with gruelling conditions and it is no wonder the event is dubbed as the "comrades" of cycling. While the first 120km were realitively wind free and riders enjoyed cool conditions after a week of heavy storms, the last 80 km from Robertson the cyclists battled challenging side winds to the finish line. There were eight teams in total from the Basin, five of which were from Cycling Club Helderberg. Local rider, Ryan Kemp was part of the winning team, Daiken- Gu who finished in a blistering 5hrs 29min to beat the favourite all proffesional Neotel team who finished third. Helderberg Ladies team won the Ladies Racing category in 6hrs 56min. The first "C2HW" club team home led by Henning van Wyk completed the route in 6hrs 35min followed by Henri Meier's "Wannabee Faster" team, Michel de Clippel's "Wannabee Better" team, John Arnold's "C2H" team and last but not least the "Wannabee Slow Spokes" who finished just under the ten hour mark. In the picture the "slow Spokes" enjoy a most welcome feeding stop after ascending Trudouw pass.