Saddle Your Ponies

Joburg's toughest race; Joburg's safest race; Everybody's race. Call it what you like but clearly it is Joburg's favourite race. As the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challeng draws nearer all us cyclists "From the Average Joe to the All-Time Pro" as they say begin to dust off our bikes, pump up our wheels and get pedaling in preparation for the 18th November. This is a race which seems to puzzle me more and more from year to year. Despite the gruelling final 30km's  that we all hate so bad and curse with words which I can not say on a mass communication platform like this. The 'Ninety Four' as I like to call it  has us all coming back year after year and and each time bringing more people along- from spectators to particpants. This really is everybody's safest, toughest, favourite race. So, to all involved in this Huge event, good luck, thank you and we can't wait to see you there. Big Ups to 94.7 and Momentum.

Keep Pedalling- all the way on the R28 too ;)

Taking the Streets Back

So, the latest trend in the cycling industry has it South Africa with a bang and Johannesburg with an even harder one. The trend you ask? Well, it is called Critical Mass. I too raised an eyebrow when I heard that term; it might sound like some kind of cult, but no. Critical Mass seems to be one of the fastest growing phenomenons in cycling that i have seen in a while. People are now expressing their views through bike riding! Basically, critical mass is all about taking the streets back, taking back public space, or at least what should be. I’m sure you will agree with me that the biggest challenge a cyclist faces is the automobile and its raging driver behind the wheel. These events are the perfect way to voice your opinions as a cyclist. It first started in the United States as a protest against the insufficient facilities for cyclists in the roads and has continued to develop into an opportunity for communities to express themselves. But here in Johannesburg it is not so much about creating an uprising. So, instead of violent protests, participants get to re-discover the streets of the city at night time, after rush hour traffic. It has become a totally social event inviting anybody and everybody- you determine your pace and style. Checkout their Facebook page - Critical Mass Johannesburg to find out about the next ride. Big Ups to the organizers of this iconic movement.

Keep Pedalling, at night this time!   

                                       Check this out > > > Video

Green PR gets Pedaling



Green Together



It seems that Green Public Relations is growing faster than we think, and attacking more industries than ever thought possible. And it’s actually working. Now, if you’re not sure what I mean by “Green” PR, in simple terms it is Public Relations Campaigns aimed at raising awareness and promoting environment-friendly activity. Earlier this year, Climate cycles hosted their 4^th annual event ‘Ride to Recharge’.

Cyclists pedaled from Chicago lakefront inviting people of all skill levels and walks of life coming to help their students and schools go green. Riders could choose from a 4-mile (6.4km) route to a 125-mile (201km) route. In their first three rides, a combined 1200 Climate Cyclists raised $250,000. That’s more than R1 million, just by getting people to pedal some bikes! Thanks to their efforts, Climate Cycle awarded 13 schools with solar panel installations and seeded 15 additional environmental school projects to date. It is rare that you see organizations using this approach- using a globally loved sport to attend to the environments needs. The fact that riding a bike generates no form of threat to the environment makes this event and its cause sheer genius. From what the statistics say, clearly it has been a success and can only grow bigger. Big Ups, Climate Cycles.

Keep Pedaling- Pedaling Green that is.

Checkout Climate Cycles

Haters, Keep Hating

And yes- I have won the TdF seven times

Now, I know it is long gone and over but despite being stripped of all titles including 7 Tour de France title wins, Lance Armstrong opened his speech at the World Cancer Congress Conference in Montreal with "I thought in line of recent events, I should re-introduce myself- My name is Lance Armstrong, I am a cancer survivor, I am a father of five, and yes- I have won the Tour de France seven times.” link The angle of approach in which he is approaching this situation is rare but clearly it is effective. The fact that world authorities have banned him and he still has it in him to get back up and say something that controversial, and with such ease shows what kind of man this is- a true humanitarian. People can say what they want, it clearly only adds fuel to this guy's drive. Personally, I don’t think someone would say something that powerful unless of course they mean it. Lance’s PR strategies do exactly what he wants- Creates hype but people seem to be blind at the fact that any negativity towards Armstrong only makes him persist more. Big ups, Lance.

Keep Pedaling.

Just Do It. Walk Away



Farewell.  Livestrong. Just do It



So, it has finally come to an end. Lance Armstrong’s been proved guilty of all allegations. This for some is devastating, for others it is no surprise and for the rest it is justice. I’m not going report about what exactly the situation is. We all know what’s happened - we all hear about every movement the man makes. But all seven TdF titles? Really? Perhaps you agree with the decision, perhaps you don’t – but bear in mind, he wasn’t proven guilty for testing positive but simply for not continuing to fight the allegations. So why is it that he gets stripped of EVERYTHING and a lifetime ban whilst so many of the positive tested athletes get a slap on the wrist? Ok, let us not dwell on it, it’s done.  What really got my attention with all this is that Nike, one of Armstrong’s biggest endorsers will continue to back him. I think the fact that one of the world’s most recognised brands risking their own reputation in supporting him through this says a lot. Nike never dropped Armstrong when he had cancer and they’re not dropping him now.  The relationship between the two helps us realise that walking away doesn’t make you a loser, it doesn’t make you a quitter and it most definitely does not make you a cheater. “Enough is enough” says Armstrong. For more check out The Street Big Ups, Lance, Big ups Nike.

Keep Pedalling.

Families Pedal to the Medal

I recently discovered that one of the best ways to get the desired exposure when managing an event isn’t all about flashy advertising- but another angle one can approach is simply to make the event more family orientated. Sounds weird doesn’t it? Have a look at The Momentum Health National Duathlon series for instance; it comprised of six stages from the 4^th of March until the 19^th of August allowing athletes to compete all over the country. But that’s not what got my attention. The series organizers made it clear that as competitive as these events may be, it can still be a fun-filled family activity. The list of options ranged from:

 

Ø  A ‘Brats’ race

Ø  A ‘Kiddies race

Ø  And the main race consisting of a 5km run followed by a 40km cycle and finishes off with another 2.5km run

So from now on, bring the wife and kids along.
Check this link out: Duathlon HomePage

Sport or Business Opportunity? Perhaps Both



Anything for that Yellow Jersey


What has cycling become?  It’s no longer merely a sport one can enjoy for the beauty of what it is. Oh no, it’s a business opportunity which most big names want to tap into to get their fair share of the good stuff. Like most sport nowadays cycling is money driven- Fair enough, creating awareness is good.  But do you hear of any other sports where athletes face jail time for using performance enhancers? So that’s just what it has become-A community being developed and driven by a society hungry for action, hungry for more. Fact is- society and athletes themselves’ perceptions, attitudes, morals, ethics- all of it is so altered and shaped by the media that people go beyond all measures to get a piece of the pie- and that is regardless of whom or what gets affected negatively along the way. “As long as My brand gets the desired AVE, I don’t really care about the rest” This is the way the world is going and we must accept it for what it is- but that does not mean we can not determine the outcome of what we put in, or at least influence it. If it’s going to be money and politics that drive the sport, let’s invest in the right places and debate about the right issues.

Keep pedalling.