For several years already, cyclists have been riding en-mass through Joburg’s inner-city on the last Friday of every month. Part and parcel of the world-wide Critical Mass movement, this event promotes the concept of a cycle-friendly, car-free city environment. In the case of Critical Mass JHB it is also a celebration of our regenerated inner-city. The event brings hundreds of cyclists to town for a fantastic night-time experience.
On Friday 30 August, Critical Mass will be staged as one of the premier public events of the Joburg City Festival. Participation of this informal cycling ride is free. You only need to pitch up with your bicycle (with light!) on the corner of De Beer and Juta Street in Braamfontein. Arrive in the late afternoon already to enjoy a meal or drink at one of the fantastic neighbourhood restaurants – Doubleshot Coffee & Tea, 86 Public Pizzeria, Velo Gallery Café or Lamunu Restaurant & Bar, before you set out on your cycling adventure.
The ride starts at 19:15, providing ample opportunity along the way to enjoy Joburg’s incredible buildings and city-scenes. Young and old – even children are welcome to cycle along. It comprises approximately 20 km of easily-paced cycling with several stops along the way. This is not a race but a mass tour of Joburg inner-city.
The route:
From the corner of De Beer and Juta streets (Braamfontein), cyclists set off for Mayfair and Fordsburg. From there they pass Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown and head towards the incredible Shadow Boxer Sculpture of Nelson Mandela in front of Chancellor House (original offices of Mandela & Tambo’s law practice, recently renovated).
Next up is a ride along Joburg’s best-kept street, the semi-pedestrianised Main Street Mall. See the famous Leaping Impala sculpture in front of Anglo American’s offices, as well as many mining artefacts telling the story of Johannesburg’s mining heritage. Also along this street is Cramers Coffee.
The ride continues to Gandhi Square, passing the sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi, depicting him as a young man when he lived in Johannesburg in the early 1900s. From here we journey through the eastern parts of the inner-city, past Ponte tower and along the edge of the Ellis Park Precinct. At the Troyeville Hotel we turn right and head to Maboneng, one of Jozi’s trendiest and sexiest, regenerated precincts. Here you can enjoy a quick drink and snack stop at Chalkboard. Also ready to welcome cyclists along Fox and Kruger Streets in Maboneng are Pata-Pata, Little Addis, Eat Your Heart Out, Sharp, House of Baobab, Uncle Merv’s and Main Street Walks’ info container. Finally the tour heads back west through town to the Reef Hotel and across the spectacularly-lit Nelson Mandela Bridge, back to Braamfontein.
The tour ends around 22:30 or 23:00 in Braamfontein. Here Lamunu Restaurant & Bar will be ready to welcome you at its Craft Beer Festival while 86 Public will surely be happy to serve you a pizza too. An epic Joburg city night – don’t miss it for anything!
