The Habit 320K Cyclothon

We depart Durban - NMR Avenue (Mr Prices Head Office) via coach bus on Sunday 7th December at 11h00. Please be there between 09h30 and 10h00. Phil Liggett/Another will entertain us on the trip. Arrive at Little Switzerland Resort and enjoy shared chalet accommodation there. We have a traditional banquet on Sunday evening. This is all included in the entry fee. Drinks are for your own account.

Mr Price Cycling support crew who will arrange fluids, energy drinks, food and protein intake for ALL the entrants. They will be the only vehicles on the road looking after the batches. Other supporters must wait at the REGROUP points.

Remember it is NOT a race but an EXTREME event costing R1,960. (Early birds pay R1,690). R1,000 is transferred directly to HABIT a registered TRUST and NPO.

The large percentage of the entry fee of R1690 being R1,000 was be donated to HABIT Baby House per entrant for 2007.

The Mr Price Youth foundation sponsored eight entries for the Mr Price Group’s cyclists who volunteered to enter the ride. In addition to this donation Mr Price cyclists raised R130 000 in support of this cause. The Mr Price Group’s cyclists who have visited the baby house were extremely motivated to tackle the 320km ride in one day to save innocent lives.

National Brands donated R30,000
Mr Price Youth Foundation donated: R13,520
Nedbank Local Hero’s awarded R10,000

The balance was made up of many other wonderful contributors. Many of whom have asked to remain anonymous.

Total raised: just over R300,000

The Cause

Baby House is a transition home for HIV affected, abandoned and orphaned babies. The babies are between birth and 1 year old and are placed in loving homes within 6 months of being taken in.

HABIT (HIV Abandoned Babies & Infants Trust) is registered as an Non-Profit Organisation NPO (056/364). Our aim is to care for HIV/AIDS Affected & Abanoned Babies, providing them with a caring Christian environment in which they are nurtured physically, emotionally & spiritually. We invite you and your organisation, to join us in our work.

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The Challenge

KwaZulu Natal is certainly the home of many prestigious cycle races and challenges throughout the year. From the Potgieter Trophy, the Newcastle Challenge, Belgotex Carpets Classic Hillclimb, Wartburg Classic MTB, Nola Stormberg MTB, Mr Price Challenge, Geoghegan Trophy, Baynesfield Classic MTB,St Patricks MTB, Karkloof Marathon MTB, Greytown MTB Festival, Mntunzini Super Classic MTB, Pondoland Stage Race MTB, Tiago's Sardine Classic MTB, Howick Classic MTB, Glengarry Classic MTB, Pick & Pay Family Toti 69er, The Howick Highllander and Classic MTB all the way through to Pick 'n Pay Amashova National Classic.

Here's the rub, the Habit 320K Cyclothon is not a ROAD RACE...it's a challenge. A challenge against yourself and the long road to Durban...320 Kilometers in 11 hours. This is the 10th Year of the challenge and we are looking froward to seeing some of the same faces and dedication that has seen the habit 320k from from 6 riders to 100 rider. We recommend the 320 km for seasoned cyclists only. We will also consider having relay cyclists to join us for portions of the ride. There will be 3 unofficial "seeded" batches with support vehicles & an ambulance on route.

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Our Friends

As far as cyclists go, Phil Liggett (the voice of cycling) plans to join us for the long trip (320 km).Recently awarded the M.B.E. (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his contribution to cycling, Phil is universally known as "The Voice of Cycling," and is an integral part of VERSUS' cycling coverage. Having worked as a TV sports commentator since 1978 and having covered seven summer and four winter Olympic Games, Phil brings plenty of world-class experience to VERSUS' cycling programs. In his 34 years of reporting on the Tour de France, Phil has yet to spend a July at home since 1973. Phil hosted and scripted an Emmy award-winning program on the Paris-Roubiax classic. He also received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Sports Personality in 2002.

Sharing his award-winning style on programs from World Cup Ski jumping to speed skating, from triathlons to four-man sledding, Phil is sports reporting's jack-of-all-trades. At 29, after 12 years as an amateur racer, Phil became the youngest International Cycling Commissaire (referee), and worked at the Tour of Zambia, Egypt, and the 1975 World Championships. With plenty of experience both behind the scenes at cycling events and in front of the camera as a journalist, Phil has a personal perspective on the race and the riders like no one else could.

We have groups of Celebrities who will also be joining us for either the full 320km, or to ride portions of it. Adrian Garvey (Ex Springbok Prop) and John Slade (Ex Shark) will be there co-ordinating the other Celebrities which include Jonty Rhodes (Cricketer), A.J. Fenter and Butch James (Sharks and Springboks), Terrence Mitchell (Triathlon) . The event will get Supercyling TV exposure