2025 Ride Joburg

Photo source: www.ridejoburg.co.za

It has been a long time coming. Actually, it started 28 years ago and this year's ride Jo'burg is back.

Is bigger and better and powered and supported by City of Johannesburg and 94.7FM. This jolly ride will showcase the beautiful city of Johannesburg to all a sundry; by giving cycling enthusiasts from around the world the chance to take to the M1 highway and own the streets of Joburg.

Ride Joburg, formerly known as the 947 Cycle Challenge, is an annual cycling event held in Johannesburg, South Africa. It's known for its road race, which is one of the largest timed cycling races globally. The event also features mountain bike and children's races, showcasing Johannesburg's vibrant atmosphere and offering a unique experience for participants.

Photo source: Tread Media

History and Background: Inaugural Event: The event began in 1997 with 4,500 participants, quickly becoming the biggest cycling event in Gauteng. 

Growth and Partnerships: The race saw rapid growth, doubling its participant numbers in the following year. In 1999, a children's race was added. 

City Integration: A partnership with the City of Johannesburg in 2005 allowed the race to include routes through the city's streets, adding to its appeal and making it a major event. 

Mountain Bike Event: The 2005 addition of a mountain bike event further expanded the event's reach and popularity, making it the biggest mountain bike event in South Africa, according to TREAD MEDIA.

Scale and Impact: The road race has accommodated up to 30,000 participants at its peak, demonstrating its significant impact on the city and the cycling community, according to TREAD MEDIA. 

COVID-19 Impact: While the pandemic caused disruptions, TREAD MEDIA reports a revival in cycling is being observed. 

New Ownership: In 2020, the event was acquired by Faces (formerly Advendurance). 

Date Change: For 2025, the event is moving to a new date, October 26th, and will feature a new route and start/finish venue. 

Focus on Elite Riders: The date change is also designed to attract top-tier international and local elite riders by aligning with the global cycling calendar. 

Charity Element: The "Ride for a Purpose" initiative has raised over R103 million for various charities since its inception in 2011. 

Free Ride Initiative: Ride Joburg also offers a Free Ride initiative to provide access to the event for individuals facing financial barriers.

Please not that registration is free and the Faces Ride Joburg is of two kinds; register here!

By Olagunju, Success Taiwo