Screens 'N' Spokes has shipped its posters all corners of the world, from Sydney to Berlin to Berkeley. Now we've taken the 2009 Kollective Fusion jerseys global. Teammate Ian recently completed a charity ride in his hometown of Johannesburg. Here's the report from the field...
"Knowing that I was a cyclist and would be in South Africa the week of the ride, a friend invited me to ride in the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge in Johannesburg. I joined 25,000 cyclists for a tour of the city of Johannesburg and then out into the countryside. The ride is co-sponsored by FM radio station 94.7 and was 94.7 km in distance or 60 miles. This was a nostalgic tour of the city where I grew up. I had forgotten all the hills and one the most notable ones was past my wife Caryn's high school, Roedean. We also encountered some serious winds against us in the countryside. The route was closed to all car traffic. There was a lot of cheering along the route as this bike ride has become a big carnival-like event in Johannesburg.
I was proud of myself completing the ride just 2 days after arriving from a long flight from the US, using a borrowed bike and riding at 6,000 feet above sea level. I noted most riders were enjoying themselves. For the serious riders, this was a race with timing chips.
The ride also raises money for a number of charities including Children's Cancer (CHOC) - see team photos - many dressed up in full cow suits and rode bikes with attached ice cream carts, Homeless Talk, MaAfrika Tikkun and others. My friend rode for CHOC to which I contributed. For over 100 riders they raised an impressive $300K. The money goes to support underprivileged children with cancer and equipping the oncology section of Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.
I proudly sported my Screens 'N' Spokes jersey and was thrilled to ride on another continent and my hometown."
-Ian Harris
Under African skies
CHOC riders
