Cyclists dedicate Trans-Baviaans to honour late Stefan Foord

Date: 06 September 2024 By: Andries van Zyl

Readers may recall the adventurous exploits of Louis Trichardt mountain-bike cyclists Jernay McLeod (58) and Johan van Dijkhorst (62), who completed the gruelling Trans-Baviaans mountain bike race, covering more than 230 km in just over 17 hours on 10 August this year. This race is considered one of the toughest single-stage mountain bike races in the world, with an elevation of some 2,500 metres and cyclists having 24 hours to complete it.

The duo, both teachers at Louis Trichardt High School, entered the race to raise funds for the school’s mountain-bike team, as well as for a new cycling bike trailer. In this respect, they achieved their goals.

On a personal level, Jernay also cycled to raise funds for another cause close to her heart, namely the SPCA Louis Trichardt. The duo’s participation was also in memory of well-known and much-loved Louis Trichardt resident Stefan Foord. Stefan, an animal lover and cycling enthusiast, suddenly passed away on 21 December 2023, after collapsing while cycling in Stilbaai. He was only 52 years old.

In the run-up to their competing in the Trans-Baviaans, Jernay said that they wished to dedicate their participation to Stefan. He was going to ride the Dullstroom 200 km Recce with Jernay and Johan earlier in the year, but after his sudden death, Jernay and Johan decided to ride the Trans-Baviaans instead.

“Stefan was an avid supporter of the SPCA and loved all animals, great and small. We thought it would be a wonderful way to honour him, by creating a small fundraiser for the SPCA, or any local animal shelter of your choice. If we get R1 per km, that is a R230 sponsorship,” Jernay stated.

And the support they received has been overwhelming!

“We once again stand humbled and completely blown away, not only by this kind and admirable gesture but by how it was received and how many honoured Stefan by joining in. Stefan touched many lives, especially in the cycling community and the Louis Trichardt cycling family,” said Alicia Thomas of the local SPCA.

Jernay and Johan managed to raise a whopping R20,000 for the local SPCA. “This means the world to our SPCA and our animals, and we are quite sure it would mean the same to Stefan and his family as well,” said Alicia.

In other positive news, the local SPCA also got a name for their new donation dog. “Some of you might remember that our donation dog, fondly named Betty, was recently adopted by Tshipise Forever Resorts, and so we welcomed a new donation dog into our SPCA family. Of course, he had to get a name too and yes, this time our donation dog is a male,” said Alicia.

The decision was taken to name the donation dog Fanna. This name has special meaning as it was Stefan’s nickname. “This is to honour him, his family, and the whole cycling community for the funds they raised for us,” said Alicia. She added that Stefan’s legacy could now live on and would even bring in more donations for the SPCA through their donation dog.

“Thank you, Jernay, Johan and the whole cycling community, for what you achieved and for honouring your friend in such a special way,” said Alicia.

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Andries van Zyl

Andries joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in April 1993 as a darkroom assistant. Within a couple of months he moved over to the production side of the newspaper and eventually doubled as a reporter. In 1995 he left the newspaper group and travelled overseas for a couple of months. In 1996, Andries rejoined the Zoutpansberger as a reporter. In August 2002, he was appointed as News Editor of the Zoutpansberger, a position he holds until today.

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