The route for the 2007 PowerAde Dome2Dome Cycling Spectacular is possibly more scenic than any other race in Gauteng , and the route will offer the safest edition to date of the Dome2Dome, which takes place on 16 September this year.
The start and finish moves to underneath the Coca-Cola Dome’s bridge over Northumberland Road and the one side of Northumberland will be closed to traffic, as will Hans Strijdom, which takes riders out and back towards the Cradle of Humankind.
The Cradle of Humankind and its beautiful new roads present the backbone of the Dome2Dome route. The past eight months have seen a mass scale resurfacing of the roads and the tarring of previously gravel roads in the Cradle of Humankind on the outskirts of the West-Rand.
The route passes by two nature reserves and 80 percent of the route runs on roads that very few motorists are aware of, and actually have a need to use.
The roads have been laid with a view to the future tourism value of the Cradle, but at the moment all they service are some stunning new restaurants, bed and breakfasts and scenic spots.
After the route has passed through the Cradle, it goes out towards the other side of Krugersdorp and back again through the Cradle where you will again be met with some picturesque nature scenes past the Rhino and Lion Park.
The route also passes by The Cradle, one of the most acclaimed restaurants in South Africa, and Kloofzicht Lodge, a brand new five-star conference and accommodation venue.
The Dome2Dome this year offers an extra road distance to bring the total distance options on offer to three.
For the serious riders the long route covering 115km is 10km longer than last year while individuals wanting a gentle training ride leading up to some of the later year classics can enter the 80km.
If you fancy getting into cycling and want to do your first longer ride, look no further than the 40km event.
The big changes that have been done predominantly for safety’s sake have meant the event won’t run on Hendrik Potgieter and Nic Diederichs back towards the Dome.
Instead riders will be led back on Hans Strijdom, of which the one side will be totally closed to traffic, and then onto Northumberland to finish in the opposite direction to last year’s race finish.
The change in direction and the finish will see riders able to park in the Dome Parking lot where the race finished last year. These changes make the event a lot more user-friendly and, dare we say it again, safer for cyclists and motorists.
The Dome2Dome, only in its third year now, attracted more than 5000 cyclists last year and has earned a reputation as one of the most vibrant new races on the South African cycling calendar.
With a route to fit the spectacular hosting venue at the Dome, the finishing touches are being placed on all the lessons race organiser, Leandro le Roux, learnt in the first two editions of the event.
"I am very happy with the route for the 2007 edition and I believe we’ve finally got it right to negotiate a safe a scenic passage for cyclists through areas that have presented very difficult logistical challenges in the past," he said.
PowerAde Dome2Dome Cycling Spectacular – Quick Facts:
Date: 16 September 2007
Venue: Coca-Cola Dome, Northgate, Johannesburg
Distances:
Road: 105km and 48km
MTB: 15km, 30km, and 60km
Ladies Prize Money: R9000
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