Owner seeks his stolen bikes
If you have any information, call the Boksburg North SAPS on 082 319 0034.
Ravenswood resident Edwin de Beer’s plan to break the Springbok Endurance Race record he broke 45 years ago has been put on hold after criminals stole his bicycles.
This is after they broke into his garage on November 7.
The 85-year-old broke the record on December 16, 1978, when he rode from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein and back in 40:03, smashing the then-record of 46:52.
De Beer had planned to attempt the record by cycling around Boksburg on December 16 on the bicycle he rode in the Springbok Endurance Race in 1978.
“The record still stands today. I had my old bike fixed up to ride around Boksburg dressed up in my old cycling gear, which I wore when I broke the record in 1978,” he said.
The octogenarian, who recently recovered from a four-year cholesterol battle, appeals to the community to help him find his blue ROH road bike and track bike of the same make and colour.
“The road bike was complete, but the track bike needed a saddle pin. Both bikes are blue. I can’t attempt to break the record without my old bike because it won’t be the same if I use my new bicycle. I wanted to celebrate the 45th year of the record,” De Beer said.
De Beer started cycling in 1955 and still rides. He said it would mean a lot to him if both bicycles were found, especially as he plans to return to competitive racing.
“I got sick four years ago when I had cholesterol in my heart. It’s been cleared up. I’m back training and want to have my first race in February at the Ride for Sight,” he said.
He said there is a reward for anyone who comes forward with information. If you have any info, call the Boksburg North SAPS on 082 319 0034.
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