Chronicle Editor
Lovemore Dube, Sports Hub Coordinator
MUNYARADZI Hwengwere was left a happy man yesterday at the end of his brainchild, the Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke Cycle Race which ended with no major headaches.
Of the 320km cycle tour only one incident was reported after legendary cyclist Wilson Dube (82) lost his balance and fell to the tarmac. He had no visible scratches from the minor incident and was routinely taken to the Zvishavane Hospital for a check-up.
Dube was the oldest cyclist taking part in the event and showed resilience when he saddled for 308km and would have been the history-making finisher at the age of 82. Hardly was he a back cycler throughout holding his own and eager to cross the line before an expectant crowd which generations from 1966 have seen him in action doing what he loves best.
“I have been cycling for 57 years. This has never happened to me, it’s the first time,” said Dube as he was attended by medics from the race’s partners Cimas.
Hwengwere was a happy man at the end of the event praising all who had worked themselves to a standstill to ensure the event ran up to the end smoothly.
“The support from schools was tremendous, support from the Police, support from the communities and the cyclists was amazing,” said Hwengwere.
He said they were now intending to make the event a global event with some extra activities like a high school quiz to educate children about the Great Dyke and the opportunities it offers throughout its 520km stretch.
“We need to use this to educate our young people about the Great Dyke. A number of events have come up like The Great Dyke quiz and combine it with walking and doing more throughout the year to popularise the event,” said Hwengwere.
Great Dyke is a geological occurrence from volcanic activity millions of years ago. The belt is the longest in the world measuring 520km and is 14km wide. Along its stretch which starts in the south and cuts across to the northern part of the country near Mount Darwin, it is dominated by the platinum group of minerals platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), osmium (Os) and iridium (Ir). There are minerals like chrome, lithium and gold along the belt which are key to Zimbabwe’s economy.
Cyclists got a chance to engage in an absorbing race that tested to the limit their physical strength and mental ability to handle pressure. Gifted Children Foundation were the beneficiaries of the proceeds.
Top cyclists like Rodrick Shumba, Nkulumo Dube and Enock Phiri participated. The sponsors of the event were Nedbank with Econet, Cimas, Sterling Hotels, Blakefield Lodges, Aqua, Aquifer Drilling, Exide, Simbisa and Utande among the partners of this colourful event.
Organisers have promised a bigger and better event next year.
Online Reporter