9th of March 2026 in Cape Town A determined group of 36 cyclists has completed an inspiring 1,057km journey to raise funds for children in the Eastern Cape, finishing their ride with an impressive R800,000 raised for life-changing medical care.
The riders took part in the 11th Grandads’ Army Memorial Ride, setting out with one clear objective: to support the Eyabantwana Trust, an organisation that funds vital surgical procedures for children in the Eastern Cape.
The cyclists divided themselves into three relay teams for the demanding trip. Each team covered two 50km legs per day, riding a total of 100km daily. After four days on the road, the teams arrived in Cape Town just in time to participate in the Cape Town Cycle Tour, marking the final stage of their journey.
During the ride, participants and their support crews stopped overnight in several towns, including Cradock, Willowmore and Montagu. From Montagu, the cyclists travelled to Hermanus, where they stored their bicycles before driving to Arabella Country Estate. There they reunited as a single team, collected their bikes and rode together toward Bikini Beach in Gordon’s Bay.
The final stretch of the journey was escorted by emergency and traffic services.
“On the route, the riders were joined by three traffic officials from the Western Cape Provincial Traffic Department, on motorcycles, and members of the Western Cape Provincial Fire Department driving a fire engine, fire truck and a fire support vehicle, and were escorted all along Clarence Drive to their destination,” said Eyabantwana’s PR Officer, Bronwyn Claridge.
Like many ambitious undertakings, the ride presented several logistical challenges along the way.
“We experienced tyre issues with one of the buses, turbo boost pipe problems on another bus, and a tyre blowout on our food trailer. Fortunately, all of these issues were resolved timeously and didn’t cause too much of a delay,” Bronwyn said.
Despite the setbacks, the journey offered breathtaking scenery as the teams travelled across mountain passes, verdant valleys and picturesque small towns. The riders also experienced the warm hospitality of communities across the Karoo.
“The people we encountered at every town we drove through, and at every accommodation establishment we stayed at, were incredibly friendly, kind, hospitable and willing to help at a moment’s notice, always going above and beyond the call of duty to assist.”
While the landscapes and camaraderie made the journey memorable, the greatest achievement came in the form of the funds raised. The R800,000 collected will go to the Eyabantwana For The Children Trust in East London, helping to settle the cost of a paediatric gastroscope purchased by the organisation last year.
Driven by their mission to help children receive life-saving surgical care, the riders completed their journey with pride and determination.
“A feat which we definitely look forward to repeating again next year,” Bronwyn concluded.
