SLC cyclists to take on Cape Epic race

POLOKWANE – Cyclists from Stanford Lake College are competing in the Absa Cape Epic, a gruelling seven-stage mountain bike race covering over 700km of challenging terrain.

The race started on Sunday and will end one week later this coming Sunday.

Initially, two Stanford Lake College teachers, Rhoan Abbott and Steven Willson, had teamed up to ride for the school’s outreach programme, the Dream an’ Do Foundation.

Unfortunately, Willson was injured during a training ride four weeks before the event, but a former Stanford Lake College parent and a past Epic finisher, Gary Middleton was available to step in.

The Dream an’ Do Foundation enables groups of less fortunate children to experience a week-long programme at Stanford Lake College each year, where they are introduced to thinking skills programmes, as well as various adventure activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, trekking and mountain biking.

The programme also covers environmental issues and conservation, and culminates with the students spending a day at the Kruger National Park.

Stanford Lake College marketer, Rona McGaffin, said: “as outdoor sport enthusiasts and teachers, we have seen first-hand the benefits of outdoor education. Children who are pushed out of their comfort zones through adventure activities become more confident adults, and it is our aim to provide this opportunity to less privileged children in our local communities”.

McGaffin said through the Absa Cape Epic, Abbott and Middleton hoped to raise R50 000 for the foundation.

“Some of the proceeds will also go towards the development and training of an adventure racing team which will take part in the annual adventure race for schools,” she said.

Anyone who is willing to support Abbott and Middleton can visit https://www.doit4charity.co.za/dreamando to make donations.