POLOKWANE – “I joined Polokwane Pedallers in August last year. I have always liked sport, and my first taste for cycling came when I rode from my home to school while in Gr 12 to get some extra school lessons. I’m not quite sure about the distance then, but I know it was quite far,” he explained.
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After moving to Polokwane in 2015, Ramashia started and completed his civil engineering studies at Capricorn TVET College, and remained here, due to his reasoning of more opportunities being available within the city.
As one of his pastimes, he watches sport on television and it was on this very platform that he witnessed mountain bikers taking on the famous Cape Epic cycle race which further sparked his interest in the sport.
“After seeing these cyclists on television, I thought to myself, I can do this. After some research I found the Polokwane Pedallers Cycling Club (PPCC) as the most suitable for my mountain bike racing ambitions,” he shared.
He then purchased a mountain bike and the needed gear to compete in races, and took to the sport like a duck to water. Although unemployed and having to rely on various forms of small jobs like painting, electrical work and building construction among others, he managed to participate in cycle races.
Due to his employment status, the mountain bike which he was able to afford, was one which wasn’t too suitable for mountain bike racing. This is, however, where the PPCC cyclists came to the fore, a few of the cyclists helped him in acquiring mountain gear and Neels Lourens, was the one who built a suitable mountain bike with which he could race.
“I was struggling at first, mostly because of my inferior equipment, but the cyclists of PPCC kept encouraging me to keep going and to stay strong. I really appreciate their kindness and care for me, making me feel welcome and a part of PPCC. It is also the way they live for one another in the club which stands out for me and makes this cycling club very special for me,” he explained.
He has since become good friends with a few of the cyclists, and he encourages those with their dreams set, to pursue these. “To the youth who finished school or their studies, don’t wait for opportunities. Go and find those opportunities, and work hard for it. Tell yourself that I can do it,” he concluded.
