Remember the last time you drove 100 kilometres – tiring, right? Try cycling it!
The Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT), the world’s largest timed cycle race, is getting closer – only 1 week away! Every year 35,000 riders from all walks of life come to Cape Town to take part in this legendary event.
Whether you’re a pro, amateur or just a social rider, you can take part. You can even get a few of your buddies from work to join, like we did!
Hello Doctor’s South African MD, Andrew, tore up the streets of Cape Town with a time of 3 hours 40 minutes – back in 1991. Now, 14 years later, he’s back. Has he been spending nearly one and a half decades gearing himself up for this challenge? Let’s see:
For the love of the ride
What made you decide to take on the challenge of the CTCT this year?
“I think there are certain events that Cape Town offers that one just has to do! My main sport is paddling but I thought doing the CTCT would provide an opportunity to mix things up a bit.”
When did you start training for the race?
“I started with a ride or two over the December holiday and have had at least 1 ride per week since then.”
What type of training are you focusing on? Which areas have you had to improve the most?
“I run, paddle and cycle so I suppose my training is more of a cross training approach. I am only managing 1 long ride a week (between 60km and 85 km) which either entails hill training (strength) around Hout Bay and Noordehoek or long flat rides to Cape Point from Hout Bay (endurance).”
Andrew is definitely well on his way. For any bike ride, it’s essential that you combine strength and endurance training, but make sure you don’t overtrain or you may cause unnecessary injury.
Ride for a cause
Thinking about challenging yourself to the gruelling race next year? Great! Did you know that you can also help others at the same time by riding for a charity?
The Red Cross Children’s Hospital is very close to our heart, as this is where the dream of Hello Doctor was born. The hospital relies heavily on the Children’s Hospital Trust for funding to treat all the little children.
Steven Moran, Cape Town attorney, was one of those children 28 years ago, and, this year, he’s riding the CTCT to raise funds for them.
Here’s his story:
“The Red Cross Children’s Hospital and the Trust charity have always been close to my heart. I know people make that statement for a variety of reasons… in my case,I can say without a doubt that, without the hospital and its incredible staff, I would not be alive today. I had a T.O.F (trachea-oesophageal fistula) which means, in short, I could not swallow.They performed the surgery to repair the problem as well as the subsequent surgery to keep it intact. In short, they literally saved my life. I could never repay the incredible debt that I owe them but I will do everything in my power to raise funds. Every cent we raise will enable them to give to other children what they gave to me – life!”
And thanks to The Red Cross Children’s Hospital, he’s getting ready to dominate and raise money for the Trust, in his first crack at the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
You can help too! Have a look at the amazing work that the Children’s Hospital Trust does and get your entry in for 2016!
We wish Steven, Andrew and the rest of the Hello Doctor cycling team all the best for the race!