The official bike-wash sponsor to the Nedbank sani2c, Talisman Hire, wishes riders competing in the 10th edition of the sani2c, which began yesterday (May 13) and ends on May 17, all the best of luck as they take on the world’s biggest full-service mountain bike stage race.
Transporting a massive mobile bike wash centre throughout the stages and then washing approximately 4 500, mud-caked and dusty bikes that have traversed through KwaZulu-Natal’s most unpredictable terrain, with rural stage finishes mostly in the middle of nowhere, is no easy feat.
Talisman Hire’s eco-friendly, bike-cleaning system enables them to master this epic task at the end of every stage of the 265km sani2c race, which began in Underberg and ends in Scottburgh on the KZN south coast.
At the end of each stage day, riders take their bikes to Talisman’s cleaning station, signposted with a giant inflatable Talisman so riders know where to go, and raised above ground on a platform built specifically for this race in order to efficiently drain off water. Here bikes pass through a rigorous process that sees them cleaned by masterful bike washers using top of the range, high pressure cleaners, powered by Talisman-supplied generators.
Using as little water as possible, Talisman’s washing system and expertly-trained staff ensure bikes come out the other side sparkling and without damage, especially to the bearings, which can be affected during high-power washing. Once washed and dried, all bikes are expertly ‘lubed’ ready for the next day.
Staying true to the ethos of the Nedbank sani2c, which is to create a race that gives back to, and empowers, the local community, Talisman sources staff locally thus helping to create employment in the rural areas that the race passes through.
Says Colin Du Plessis, Managing Director at Talisman Hire, “We first came on board the Nedbank sani2c adventure in 2013 when we provided a much-improved bike washing system. We are once again immensely proud to be the official bike-washer at the 2014 Nedbank sani2c as it celebrates 10 years of allowing riders the opportunity to journey through KZN’s most stunning scenery. Our highly-efficient bike washing station equipped with industry-best equipment ensures a streamlined and hassle-free process for riders competing in the race. Good luck riders!”
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