Fourways resident goes the distance for Muscular Dystrophy

A local resident will soon be using his muscles to support those who can’t.

Karan Singh from the greater Fourways area will be putting his fitness to the test for a good cause from 26 February. He and the other seven members of the Joburg to Cape Town Cycle Tour 2020, will cycle nearly 2 000km in 10 days to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation as well as awareness around the disease.

This is the third time Singh is doing the ride which he first undertook in 2017 because one of his oldest friends is affected by muscular dystrophy, a group of diseases which causes muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass.

“We’ll be leaving Joburg on 26 February and will be riding for about 10 days in total,” he said. “When we arrive in Cape Town, we’ll have one rest day before we then do the Argus Cycle Tour. Besides myself will be team leader Angelos [Frantzeskos] who has been doing this challenge for a number of years now, his wife Cindy, three other riders and two drivers.

“I’m not sure how much we’ll end up raising. I’d love to raise about R200 000 but if we make R100 000 I’ll still be happy with that.”

Preparing for the trek has been tough. Singh has been training hard since last year to ensure he is fit enough for the challenge, going on 100km rides twice a weekend in preparation.

“To get through this ride, you definitely need a passion for cycling and the strength to withstand the pain of such a long ride. My first year I was petrified, I had never done over 100km in one go before but it was definitely on my bucket list.”

The team will cycle between 100km and 200km a day on average. They’re hoping to inspire the public to donate to the foundation which will use the funds to provide wheelchairs, wheelchair batteries and other support to those affected by muscular dystrophy. It is Singh’s belief in this cause that keeps him going during such a challenging endeavour.

“Some people would say ‘why are you cycling to Cape Town, just take a flight?’ but we’re doing this for people who can’t use their muscles, something most of us take for granted.

“It’s by thinking about why I’m doing this that I can withstand the pain of the journey. This cause is close to my heart, and because [muscular dystrophy] affects someone I love so much, the cause is close to my heart.”

You can follow the team’s progress on Karan Singh’s Facebook page and the foundation’s Facebook page.

Donations directly to the organisation are welcome and any cyclists who want to ride in support of the foundation can also contact them about participating in the 947 Cycle Challenge later this year.

Details: www.mdsa.org.za

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