Gilleys at it again

The father-and-son pairing of Rod and Ian Gilley were at it once again as they took part in the Value Logistics Fast One Cycle Race last weekend.

Rod (68), placed first for the fourth consecutive year in his starting group of more than 200 riders. Ian (43) was one of 12 riders who crossed the finished line in the A seeded category, with two seconds covered between them.

More than 3000 cyclists took part in the annual 96 kilometre race starting in Meyerton and the pair raced under their team name USN-Paint Projects.

The race could have turned out differently after Ian had to violently evade an accident in progress when two riders touched wheels. The accident created a domino effect and cyclists fell around him.

Even though the Fast One is recognised as one of the fastest races in the country, small groups attempted no more than five break aways. The small groups would be hunted down by the peleton and reabsorbed into the main group.

In the latter stages of the race, a front running group of 25 riders including Ian had formed from the more than 130 riders in the A seed category.

Rod finished four minutes and 54 seconds ahead of second place and seven minutes and 30 seconds of third place.

Rod and Ian will now be finalising their schedule for the upcoming year. Ian will also participate in the Joburg 2C, 9 Day, 900 Kilometre mountain bike stage race where he has achieved fourth place overall in the solo rider category and first place in the 40 and over age group.