I have a friend (let’s call her C) who had grown up in an apartment on the 3rd floor of a building in a densely built city, and therefore was never offered the small luxury of learning to ride a bicycle. For her 30th birthday, C’s husband bought her what was to be her favourite gift to date; a new mountain bike. Wobbling and wavering around her neighbourhood with little confidence, C doubted that she would ever be able to make a convincing cyclist. Yet with perseverance and resolve, a year later C would be grasping an Amashova medal, proving that she was capable of pedaling from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, a route of 106km.

Dubbed the safest cycle race in KwaZulu Natal with full road closure, and with a rich and colourful history spanning 27 years, the 106km Amashova Classic Cycle Race follows a similar route to that of the Comrades Marathon. The Amashova is a mass participation cycle event that attracts over 10 000 cyclists nationally. Held during fairly humid conditions, although not Durban’s stickiest time of year, the MTN Amashova 106km race stretches from the Pietermaritzburg City Hall to Durban. Alternatively, early birds on the lookout for a sporting chance to enjoy the outdoors and KwaZulu Natal’s beautiful spring weather can sign up for the Sunday Tribune Amashova family fun ride. Starting at Hillcrest High School, it covers 38km to finish at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Expand a Sign has enjoyed a relationship with Amashova over the years, and this year we also sponsored the race with 32 Wing Banners that were used as route guide markers from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Start and Finish Plain Banners were also supplied by Expand a Sign. Much branding could be seen at the finishing point of the race, with BMW Feather Banners and Ex-Domes, Sir Juice Flying Banners, an Expand a Sign Ex-Star tent, and more.

Whether 7 or 77, a rider or a roadside supporter, the Amashova Classic Cycle Race is enjoyed by so many each October. If you think you’re the next Lance Armstrong (minus all that funny business), then visit http://www.shova.co.za and sign up for the 2014 race as soon as entries open. After all, nearly all of us can handle adversity. But to truly test someone’s character, give them a bicycle.

Thanks

Expand a Sign.