Senior cyclist does it to raise funds

A 75-year-old local will compete in the 2016 Cape Town Cycle Tour in March with the objective to raise funds for the Rusoord old-age home flats.

Roelf du Toit will compete in one of the biggest races in the world and is asking the public to help him raise funds by donating one rand for every kilometre he will cycle on the day.

Cape Town Cycle Tour (formerly known as the Cape Argus Cycle Tour) is an annual race that takes place in Cape Town. It is a highlight on the road-cycling calendar and about 35 000 cyclists from all over the globe gather at the starting line to take part in this challenging race of 109km.

All the money raised in the initiative by Du Toit will go to the maintenance of the flats. The elderly pay monthly rent but the amount is not enough to cover maintenance. “There are a lot of things that need to be done to keep our homes in a good condition and I thought I should introduce this project to raise funds for the 31 flats,” he explained.

The elderly rider is breaking boundaries that some people who are half his age won’t even attempt to try. This will be the third time he participates.

“The first time I cycled the route was in 2014 and I managed to complete the race in four hours and 48 minutes. I was a little scared during that race because it was the first time and did not know what to expect. The Cape is well known for its windy conditions. Fortunately my son cycled with me.

“However, the second one in 2015, due to the extensive fire which ravaged Cape Town. the route was shortened to 47km instead of the traditional 109km. It took me one hour and 49 minutes to complete.”

As part of preparing for the race, he wakes up early every morning.

“I wake up at 05:00 and cycle many kilometres – comprising six circles – in an hour. I also train in the Heads area and on Saturday mornings I take on the Longtom Pass. Before I tackle the Cape Town Cycle Tour, I participate in the Ninety Niner Cycle Tour in February in Durbanville. This is also my way of getting ready for the race in March,” he added.

If you would like to contribute to this initiative, visit Longtom Cycle & Sport or call Arie Roos on 013-235-2355, Jury Schoeman of JJ’s Gym on 013-235-1539 or Jeanette Kruger of Rusoord on

013-235-2146.