By Habeeb Ibrahim
The streets of Ikorodu came alive once again as the Rye Street Cycling Championship held its 4.2 edition, drawing together cyclists, spectators, and community members to celebrate sport, fitness, and social interaction.
The competition aims to foster community spirit while highlighting the poor road conditions that affect residents daily.
Organized by Olamilekan Aliu Dada, the event has now been hosted across four communities in Ikorodu, with its latest edition held in Eketunde, Anibaba.
The initiative, according to Dada, serves multiple purposes: “I was inspired by my parents and friends like Solomon Ogbuefi and Olusola Ola. My aims are to promote social and healthy interactions among the youth, create awareness about the bad roads within the community streets, and promote cycling as a sport and exercise for healthy living.”
The event featured several competitors, but it was Abbey Alani who took home the gold, securing the 1st place prize of ₦12,000.
Abbey’s remarkable performance dethroned last year’s champion, Samod Odukoya, who finished second with a prize of ₦8,000.
Despite placing second, Samod earned the Fastest Lap award with an impressive time of 1 minute 50 seconds 22 milliseconds (01:50:22), setting a new record for the event.
Third place went to Quadri Alataniyo, a fellow Anibaba resident, who claimed ₦5,000 for his effort.
Samod, reflecting on the race, said, “It feels great to set the fastest lap, but I’ll admit that Abbey put up a tough fight this year. I’m motivated to come back stronger next year.”
He also expressed his desire for the championship to expand beyond the host locality, mentioning that future editions could involve other parts of Ikorodu and possibly even interstate competitions.
Beyond the excitement of the race, Dada hopes to use the event as a platform for social change. “If the roads are improved, the youth will have a better environment for cycling, and it will also reduce the wear and tear on residents’ vehicles,” he emphasized.
He believes that consistent advocacy, alongside efforts to source funding from family, friends, and future government support, could lead to real change in the community’s infrastructure.
Dada envisions the Rye Street Cycling Championship expanding its reach in the coming years, with hopes of one day producing Olympic gold medalists. “Cycling is a sport that activates all parts of the body.
When everything is working, there’s less room for illness. I see this competition going beyond Ikorodu, impacting even more communities,” he shared.
The event, despite its local focus, has attracted the support of several sponsors and well-wishers. Dada expressed his gratitude, stating, “I want to say a big thank you to my sponsors, the participants, and the supporters of Rye Street Cycling Championship. We’re just getting started, and I’m confident the championship will continue to grow.”
The future looks bright for this initiative, as it not only brings young people together for healthy competition but also shines a light on pressing community issues.
For the residents of Ikorodu, the Rye Street Cycling Championship is more than just a race; it’s a movement toward a more connected, healthier, and better-equipped community.
