MTB champs Andrew Hill and Ty White completed the 95km route at Holla Trails in 3h45. © Mr Price Foundation / Pierre Tostee
THE JUMPSTART CHALLENGE at Holla Trails in Sugar Rush Park, Ballito, is providing great conditions for those wanting to ride, run or walk for a good cause.
Among the cyclists tackling the physical JumpStart Challenge on 13 March were Holla Trails manager Jasper van Vessem and Go Durban Academy head coach Siyabonga Njiva. MTB champs Andrew Hill and Ty White completed the 95km route together in 3h45.
“We were reminded that summer is still around. It was nice and hot. The trails are running nice and quick and I had a great day out with a mate,” said White, who is a high-performance coach at DriveTrain Academy in Ballito.
With premier cycling events like the Berg 100, Joberg2C and the Absa Cape Epic coming up, the 95km physical Challenge at Holla or the 100km virtual ride is a great opportunity to prep and check your nutrition and equipment.
“I’m doing the Berg 100 so I’m using the 95km Challenge as a last burn on the legs. We always train out here and it’s nice to do it for a purpose. A lot of us are very privileged and it’s good to ride and give back at the same time,” said White.
Andrew Hill, who is transitioning out of full-time racing as a professional athlete, said he enjoyed the trails and the vibe on the day. “There are great trails around here and it is unbelievable to have the Challenge back in a hybrid state. To give back as an athlete is an amazing feeling. There are real issues and real people around you that need help. This event is exactly what we need,” said Hill.
Development cyclists from Go Durban Academy’s Chesterville and KwaMashu sites were also among those cycling for change.
“This is the first time the younger cyclists from Go Durban Academy were doing single track 15km rides. It was a bit challenging and tiring but they did very well. I’m proud of them,” said Njiva.
With the physical Challenge behind us, the virtual Challenge continues to ramp up until 20 March.
Go Durban Academy riders from Inanda and KwaDabeka have pledged to do the virtual Challenge. SA para-surfer David Williams, who completed the 3.3km trail run/walk at Holla Trails, is also jumping into a virtual ride in his new custom-built hand-cycle; while White is dedicating a morning session with cyclists at DriveTrain Academy to the Challenge.
Have you got on your bike for change yet? Enter now and get moving for youth! #JustStart
