Local resident and architect, Jacques Grobler, embarked on an epic 1 750 km cycle ride to raise money for children’s charities across South Africa.
Riding with the Sun City Cycle Club, who have been running this tour for the past 13 years, Grobler set out with 23 other cyclists from Sun City on March 5, riding over seven consecutive days towards the Argus Cycle Tour finish line in Cape Town.
The ride was broken down into eight stages, with the shortest leg being an uphill 150km and the longest a gruelling 280km from Kimberley to Britstown in the Northern Cape.
“The ride makes you discover yourself, you learn what you’re capable of,” said Grobler.
The tour has raised R6.5m over the past 13 years and has donated more than 200 Buffalo bicycles to disadvantaged children in that time.
This year’s tour generated an incredible R500 000 for children all over the country, with Reach for a Dream one of the biggest beneficiaries of the fundraising initiative.
United by a common cause, the riders stayed together in a single peloton the entire way.
“You must motivate each other and carry each other to keep going. The first three days are the hardest, but after day three you adapt and on day four, you just go,” said Grobler.
The team also interacted with the children they were raising money for, greeted by hoardes of little ones waving and cheering and welcomed by a full brass band on another occasion.
Grobler said that the ride was one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life, returning home with a series of moments that cannot be forgotten and about 30 new friends.
When asked whether he was interested in taking part again next year, Grobler said: “Yes, it is one of those things you just have to do again.”
“Arriving at Blouberg and seeing Table Mountain for the first time on the ride was very emotional.”
“I would like to thank my friends and family for their support, and to my two biggest cheerleaders, Liesl and Teneal – thanks for all the motivation and encouragement during the tour and training phase, you guys rock.
“Using sport as a vehicle to donate made the whole experience very special.”
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