Cyclists have been training on Constantia Nek for a 550km charity cycle race that aims to raise R2 million for organisations fighting breast cancer and multiple sclerosis.
Thirty cyclists are taking part in the race, from Mossel Bay to Cape Town, from Saturday December 3 to Sunday December 11. It is organised by Wheel to Heal, non-profit organisation founded by Dr Elias Parker, of Rylands Estate, after he lost his wife to cancer in 2018.
Funds raised from the event will support the Pink Drive and Multiple Sclerosis South Africa.
The race passes through several small towns, including Calitzdorp, Ladismith, Montagu, Wellington and Paarl, before ending at Islamia College in Lansdowne.
“Each day of the race there is an arduous inclination for us to finish as fast, as smoothly, as pleasurably as possible. However, one must remember a few factors that are going to impact very largely on this journey. December temperatures, the wind and the extreme gradient that we are climbing… There are days where we are climbing something like 1.8km in order to cover a distance of 80 or 90km per day. So that’s the effort that our cyclists are putting in every day,” said Dr Parker.
The 30 cyclists have each committed to raise R30 000, and to reach the R2 million target, the organisation is asking the public to sponsor a cyclist.
With the help of support vehicles, the cyclists will distribute 400 food hampers to the needy in the small towns along the route.
According to the National Cancer Registry, 110 000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in South Africa in 2020 along with 56 000 cancer-related deaths.
Dr Parker said supporting Wheel to Heal’s race was a chance to cherish those lost to cancer and help those battling it.
To sponsor a cyclist or help raise funds, email Wheel to Heal at wheeltohealsa@gmail.com
