South African Single Speed Champs held in Nieu-bethesda

NIEU-BETHESDA – Unbeknownst to many, the South African Single Speed Championships took place in the sleepy village of Nieu-bethesda last Saturday.

This official event on the National Cycling Calendar took a few people by surprise as the usually quiet streets became part of the route for a few off-beat people from afar as Cape Town and Gauteng.

Deemed to be perfectly positioned ‘tussen f@*#all en nêrens’ by organisers, it soon became apparent that this was no conventional lycra-clad cycling event!

The rules for this event are simple -

Riders may only cycle on single speed bikes, or have their gears taped to only be able to ride one gear.

The recommended ‘ratio’ is two beers per kilometre.

Cyclists have to dress up and, according to the entry form, “Lycra may cost you a ‘strafdop.” The race started at The Brewery when organisers told everyone to throw their shoes into the road.

When everyone had found their footwear again, their single speed bikes had mysteriously disappeared!

A few beers and an angle grinder later, they were discovered locked up in an old storeroom, and the race began!

A bear, a tiger, ‘Where’s Wally’ on a tandem and some superheroes pedalled off (in one speed!) towards the formidable Doornberg pass.

At Doornberg they were met by the Van Heerdens who offered refreshment and refuelling before directing them back to the village via single track on their farm.

Once again, Nieu-bethesda found itself host to another off the wall, fun-filled crazy event that the village is becoming quite well known for!