7 February

08 Feb 2012 7 February

In this newsletter:
* PPA Safe Cycling campaign
* Start times for events
* 2012 PPA project funding applications now open
* 2012 Wacky wheels entries are open!
* Tuesday training at Killarney
* Event feedback
* Forthcoming Events: February to March
* What’s happening this weekend: Reeds Chevrolet Ninety Niner Cycle Race

PPA LAUNCHES SAFE CYCLING CAMPAIGN
PPA is about to launch a major safe cycling campaign to focus attention on safe passing distance. Watch out for our branded buses, print advertising, and bumper stickers linked to a competition in which you can win one of six bicycles. Amongst others, we are looking for names of cycle-friendly coffee shops – read more on our website and send us your nomination now!

VARIED START TIMES AT EVENTS
PPA always tries to start events as early as possible and with longer routes first in order to get cyclists out in the cooler part of the morning. However, this is not always possible where routes have tricky intersections or where routes merge. In order to obtain traffic permission, officials often insist that one route is cleared before allowing other routes to follow through a specific intersection, or merging point.
While the first group per distance starts at the advertised start time, other groups will follow at 3-5 min intervals, so if you start in one of the last groups, it could be up to an hour before you start, if there are many start groups.

2012 PPA PROJECT FUNDING APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Do you need funds for a worthwhile cycling project?  The Pedal Power Association (PPA) is putting money back into cycling, making profits obtained via the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour available for the funding of cycling projects for 2012.  Your project could be big or small, new or already in existence, in the Western Cape or elsewhere in South Africa.  Visit the PPA website: www.pedalpower.org.za to read more

KILLARNEY TRAINING
Join us on Tuesdays for cycle training sessions at the Killarney Motor racing track near Milnerton. Registration commences at 17h30, with training from 18h00 – 19h00. Please give way to any vehicles exiting the pits area, and do not leave valuables in your car. PPA members: R15; non-members: R30. Read more on the website.

ACA JOE PRO CLASSIC WINNERS FROM THE ROLLER COASTER
Congratulations to the following cyclists who obtained podium positions at this past weekends’ event.

For the latest news and photos on the Aca Joe Pro Classic Series follow the link below http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100003144126777

SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR
Sat 11 Feb Reeds Chevrolet Ninety Niner Cycle Race – entries open
Sun 19 Feb Medallion Tour de Stellenbosch – entries open
Sat 25 Feb Wellington Lions Cycle Day – entries open
Sun 26 Feb Bay City Cycle Tour – entries open
1- 3 Mar Grape Escape MTB
3 – 4 Mar Cape Argus Pick n Pay MTB Challenges
10 Mar   Cape Argus Pick n Pay Tricycle & Junior Tour
Sun 11 Mar Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour
24-25 Mar PPA Wacky Wheels Fun Overnight Tour – entries open

This weekend on the PPA funride calendar:

REEDS CHEVROLET NINETY NINER CYCLE RACE 2012
Saturday 11 February 2012

DISTANCES (Road Race) 123 km; 50 km
STARTING TIMES (Road) 123 km @ 06:00; 50 km @ 07:45
DISTANCES (MTB)  35 km; 20 km, 8 km
STARTING TIMES (MTB) 35 km @ 07:30; 20 km @ 08:15; 8 km @ 08:30
VENUE    Durbanville Race Course and Meerendal Wine Estate
ORGANISING COMMITTEE El Shaddai Christian School
ENQUIRIES   Racetec – 0861 TIMING (84 6464)
EMAIL/URL   queries@racetec.co.za / www.99er.co.za
PRIZE GIVING/CUT-OFF 12h45 (Road & MTB 35 km) Prizegiving at Durbanville Race Course (safety cut off at 10:45)
PRIZE GIVING/CUT-OFF  10h30 (MTB 20km & 8 km only) Prizegiving at Meerendal
ONLINE ENTRIES CLOSE 31 Jan for early entries; late entries according to availability. Except 123 km.  All other online entries close 7 Feb 2012.  Late entries if available – read more on website

ROUTE DESCRIPTION:
Riders on the 123 km and 50 km route leave the Durbanville Racecourse and head out toward the slios (the 50 km riders turn left at this point), turning right onto the R304 and left onto the R312 towards Wellington.  Cyclists will then pedal past the Boland Agricultural School before returning to the silos. From there, the route follows the Philadelphia Road until a left turn towards Wellington onto the Van Schoorsdrift/Old Malmesbury road. Turn left onto the N7 (caution: traffic for 2.6 km) and left again onto the challenging Vissershok road. Cross the Vissershok/Malanshoogte 4-way stop and start the 3 km rise, concluding with the infamous Vissershok climb. Turn right into Odendaal Street for the last climb up to the finish, with a 2 km neutral zone back to the Racecourse.

35 km MTB:  The start for this race will be at the Durbanville Racecourse. This event offers a mixture of jeep track and about 7 km of single track, with one major and two minor climbs.  Overall it is not a very technical course.  on farmlands with gentle ups and downs ton Meerendal and Diemersdal.  Many thorn plants line the route on Diemersdal so put slime in your tyres and bring spare tubes along. A short last visit to some vineyard paths leads riders out of the farm and onto the shoulder of the tar road leading back towards Durbanville.

The last obstacle of the day awaits – the infamous 1.2 km climb up Odendaal road to the finish mats at the top.  Then a leisurely 2km cruise through the residential area back to the Racecourse. Read the route descriptions for the 20 km and 8 km MTB routes starting from Meerendal Wine Estate on our website.

DIRECTIONS TO THE VENUE:
Durbanville Race Course: From the N1, take the Durban Rd/Willie van Schoor Rd off-ramp and pass Tygervalley Centre towards Durbanville. Turn left into Tindale road. At the T-junction, turn left into Racecourse road. Pass the Durbanville Nature Reserve on your right; then follow the parking signs to the Durbanville Race Course. GPS Coordinates: S:  33°50.27; E 18°38.24
Meerendal Wine farm: Travel on the N1 from Cape Town.  Take the N7 turnoff, pass Century City and then onto the N7.  Pass the refinery on your left hand side then take Exit 22. Turn right and back over the highway until the T-junction then turn left (Contermanskloof) and continue until you reach a 4-way stop. Turn right into Vissershok Rd.  After the crest of the hill, Meerendal Wine Estate is first on the left hand side. GPS Coordinates: S: 33°47.55; E: 18°37.25. See the PPA website for interactive directions.

NOTES:
Full route descriptions on www.99er.co.za. The 123 km route is a seeding event for the 2013 Cycle Tour. Great infrastructure, medal and goody bag add to the event’s popularity. Standard PPA funride fees DO NOT apply. Late entries only if the participation cut-off has not been reached. Riders who enter after 31 Jan (if entries are still available) will not be seeded. Cyclists 10 years old and younger must be accompanied by a participating adult. Remember to bring and wear your tran

NEW RULE: 123 km Entry cut off 7 Feb, no late entries or on the day

Yours in cycling
The PPA Team