Legendary cyclist killed near Hazyview

The cycling community has been left in shock by the news that legendary mountain biker, Greg Anderson, 57, was killed in an accident on Sunday morning.

Various sources confirmed that Grandpa Greg as he was known, was out on his usual morning ride at the crack of dawn, while on holiday at Sabie River Sun, the Lowvelder reported.

Jacques Ainslie of LowMed Emergency Medical Services, who attended to the scene, said that the incident occurred about five kilometres out on the R535 to Graskop.

It was alleged the vehicle that hit him, a maroon Toyota Tazz, was heading towards Hazyview and Anderson in the opposite direction.

Anderson was apparently positioned on the white surface markings in the middle of the road when he was struck head-on.

Due to the severity of the impact, the bike flew through the vehicle’s windscreen, causing minor injuries to the driver’s face.

“The driver had to be transported to Matikwana Hospital to be treated for shock,” said Ainslie. He was taken into custody and appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court on Monday, confirmed Hazyview police spokesperson Constable Duduzile Malibe.

“Due to abdominal injuries caused by the impact, Anderson died on the scene,” said Ainslie.

He had no form of identification on him, resulting in hundreds of Lowvelders banding together to try and find out who he was.

A photo of his watch and a piece of his bike were shared on social media.

When he did not return to his wife and two sons, they grew increasingly concerned and started to look for him. Later that day, their concerns and the cyclist’s death were pieced together, after which the Andersons were notified.

Condolences have been streaming in on social media, deeming his passing another senseless death.

Anderson was the former supply-chain managing director at Ascendis Health in Bryanston, though some joked that he was a part- time MD and a full-time cyclist as he spent a copious amount of time on his bike.

He had just completed his 10th Cape Epic, came second in the Jeep Hill2hill in 2009, won the Berg and Bush descent, and had been the top master in races like the 50 Miler, Wartburg Classic and Dullstroom, just to mention a few.

A memorial race will be held in Bryanston on Saturday.

“The unnecessary death of any cyclist is always tragic and more so when it happens under such circumstances on roads that many of the Lowveld riders enjoy daily.

“Greg was a well-known and much loved personality in the SA mountain bike scene and one of our strongest riders in the masters’ category. The Lowveld cycling community offers our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones,” said Brett Coates, manager of Valencia Cycles and director of Mountain Biking South Africa.

– Caxton News Service

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