Cycle through the cradle of humankind

If you havent already booked your number for the Liberty Life Cradle Classic Cycle Race, now is the time to do it. The race, which takes place on Sunday 24th September, closes for entries on 8th September.

Cyclists from all over the country are invited to take part in either the 97km or the shorter 75km race, both of which kick off at the gateway to the Cradle of Humankind, the Maropeng Centre, on the Magaliesburg Road. The 97km route is a seeding event for the Pick n Pay Cycle Challenge, while the 75km route aims to attract less serious, more social, cyclists.

Whatever your preference, you will be rewarded by a ride through some of Gautengs most scenic and historically sensational spots. The Cradle of Humankind is a World Heritage Site that occupies 474km, encompassing the Sterkfontein Caves where two of the worlds most important hominid remains were found the 2.3 million year old fossil nicknamed Mrs Ples, and the 3.3 million year old Little Foot. Forty percent of the worlds human ancestor fossils have been found in and around these caves, which also lay claim to being the site of the earliest known deliberate use of fire. Today, the Sterkfontein Valley plays host to around 40 fossil sites, including Bolts Farm, where the remains of three sabre-toothed cats have been found, as well as Haasgat, where the fossils of early forest-dwelling monkeys were found.

Depending on your route choice, participants will cycle past the Lesedi Cultural Village, the Wonder Caves, the Rainbow Trout Farm, and the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve (although, of course, neither of the routes will require cyclists to ride through a hungry pride of lion!)

Organisers are hoping that the winning purse of R5 000 (for the winner of the Mens Elite section) and R2 500 (for the winner of the Licensed Ladies category) will be incentive enough to push down on those pedals.

But if for nothing else, do it for charity. The race is organised by the Rotary Club of Rosebank and Northcliff, with the funds raised being donated to key charities in and around the Johannesburg area.

For more info - http://www.libertylife.co.za/and to enter - http://www.cyclelab.com/

The closing date for online entries is at 23h00 on the 8th September 2006 and entry fees are R150 for 97km and R90 for the 75km race.

Number collection will happen at CycleLab on 22nd September from 09h00 till 17h00 and then again on the 23rd from 09h00 until 12h00.