Cyclists ride for Gaza, raise funds

Qatar Sandstormers’ charity event saw an impressive participation

and raked in QR52,000 for war victims. By Anand Holla

Saturday’s #Ride4Gaza charity bike ride organised by Qatar Sandstormers (QS) turned out to be as impressive as the thought behind it. As 80 cyclists from various cycling communities sweltered it out in the sun, the event managed to raise a fund of QR52,000 for relief work in Gaza.

With an aim to help Gazans recover from the havoc wreaked by Israel’s recent 50-day military strikes, Qatar’s only charity cycling team invited all cycling enthusiasts to join the ride near Lusail International Circuit.

The response was heartening as cyclists from several cycling groups, including the Qatar Cycling Federation’s Women’s Cycling Team took part. The choicest of cycling enthusiasts convened for the cause – a good balance of men and women – as groups such as Qatar Chain Reaction (QCR), Malaysian Qatar Cycling Community, Pinoy Roadies, Padyak Qatar, VeloStar, Qatar Cyclists and mountain bikers, pedalled together.

The QS says that it had designed a unique race structure, as this time the distance covered didn’t matter. The ‘last man standing’ was the winner. So the participants were asked to keep up with the cycle-pacing vehicle – a cool Harley Davidson mean machine ridden by HOG (Harley Owners Group) Qatar Chapter’s Road Captain Mohamed al-Jundi.

Starting at a speed of 20kmph, they had to stay with the Harley. The cyclists weren’t allowed to draft the vehicle, only draft each other (Drafting in cycling is to move, ride, or drive close behind a fast-moving object so as to take advantage of the slipstream, especially in a race).

Of the two race categories — road and mountain — Jock Hughson from QCR won the road cycling category by exceeding a whopping 55kmph, while Les Brown clinched the Mountain Bike category with an amazing speed of 53kmph. Winners were given prizes from FinishLine, a top-of-the-line brand for cycling maintenance products. Riders said that the weather wasn’t humid but that it got a bit hot towards the end. Managed by Sheikh Eid Charity Association, the charity project called All of us for Gaza (Kuluna Gaza) seeks to provide medical support to those affected by the recent bombings. Those interested in the ride were also able to pre-order a limited edition Ride4Gaza race jersey for QR350.

QS said that they still have a few jerseys left. So if anyone keen on buying a jersey for QR350 (the entire amount goes to the charity), can contact wajeeha@qatarsandstormers.com for more information.

Marouf Mahmoud of QS said, “I am proud of the work our volunteers have put in to make this unique charity event a success. It’s the second charity cycling competition we have held in Doha that has received great feedback from participants and spectators alike.

“QS will continue to deliver on initiatives that promote a culture of charity through sports and volunteering by keeping these events fun for everyone, regardless of their level of fitness. Bicycles can change the world — and we believe that this starts at home.”

HOG Road Captain Mohamed al-Jundi said, “I am proud to have partnered with the QS to help raise funds for Gaza. HOG Qatar chapter has previously organised a cancer fundraising ride and we were delighted to take part in a new initiative developed by the cycling community. Ride4Gaza was an amazing effort and we look forward to more of these fun initiatives during the coming season.”

Over the past three years, the QS has developed the sports sponsorship for charity model with companies such as Vodafone, Qatar Airways, RasGas, Aspire Zone Foundation and Salam International.

While the Qatar Sandstormers, which modestly calls itself “an amateur sports team” started off with seven cyclists in 2012, it now includes more than 16, representing 11 different nationalities.