Sometimes it is about the bike. When you get a new bike, then it is all about the bike. For MTN-Qhubeka it was all about the new bike they revealed last night, shiny and bright and a little unusual. Cervelo, the bike manufacturer, are not a usual bike company. They do things differently.
For the Tour de France, MTN-Qhubeka powered by Samsung will be on the aerodynamic Cervelo S5, painted in a special edition silver-grey with yellow accents. It was revealed in front of Rembrandt’s the Night Watch at the Rijksmuseum ahead of the Grand Depart of the Tour in Utrecht. Kevin Evans, the former South African mountain bike champion and Oakley X-Over podium finisher, says it’s the fastest bike he has ever ridden. He rode one at the Cape Town Cycle Tour and, for a spell, broke away from the bunch and almost stayed away, but was swallowed by the bunch.
His S5 was the fastest-looking thing at the Fireman’s Arms the night before the Cycle Tour, parked inside as he and I had a few leg and head loosening beers, and discussed tactics the next day. His plan was to break away on the rush into town. Mine was to stop at Forries on the way back for mid-Cycle Tour hydration with Michael Finch of Bicycling magazine.
Perhaps if we had had a few more he may have been able to grab the win in this, his final year as a pro. Never under-estimate the power of beer. Never under-estimate the power of a bike.
Qhubeka, the organisation that provides bikes to mobilise children and communities, know the power of a bike. Bicycles change lives, is their motto. By shortening the time taken to get from point A to point B, by having transport to move goods from home to the market, or to carry tools, or heavy school books, they change the limit-ations placed on communities.
At the Orlando High School recently, I met a young man who walked 10km one way to his school. The bikes provided would cut his commute from 90 minutes to around 30 or less. He would arrive at home less tired than usual.
Yesterday, Cervelo made a donation of 300 of the sturdy Qhubeka Buffalo bikes. Other team sponsors have also made donations. The aim of the team is a little different from other teams at the Tour de France. They want to get 5000 learners on bikes by the end of the Tour on July 26. They are a good part of the way there. MTN-Qhubeka powered by Samsung are giving power to those who do not have it. They are introducing them to the simple beauty of a bike and changing lives while they do it. They and Cervelo are doing things differently.