14 June 2007 4 min

Cape Town adventurer completes 2400km cycle across South Africa

Written by: Ray Chaplin Save to Instapaper
Image{pp}Having recently completed the Two Oceans Half Marathon pulling a small shack, up and coming adventurer Ray D. Chaplin changed discipline and took on the challenge of cycling across South Africa without support.
Departing Cape Town on Friday May 4 in relative warmth, his route took him along the scenic Route 62 towards Port Elizabeth. The foul weather took its toll and blew Ray off the road between Jeffreys Bay and PE, where he sought refuge in his tent for 18hours. But, in true fighting spirit, he followed his motto of "The storm always looks worse from inside the tent" and got back on the bike to cover the 80km distance in the pouring rain.From there his journey took him north towards Bloemfontein, slowly climbing the escarpment and encountering snow, ice, and freezing cold temperatures... sleeping anywhere from farm fields to restaurant couches. After a day off in Bloemfontein to regroup, Ray entered the third and final stage to Pretoria... now being used to the cold and rapidly getting used to the altitude, although the legs were taking strain.ImageElated but exhausted, Ray reached his destination on Wednesday 13 June after 41-days and over 2400km in the saddle. He had this to say: “It has been the most amazing journey during which I have experienced so much. It has certainly changed my life, and I hope that my travels have inspired others to get out their and live their adventures.”His attention now turns to "TheLifeCycle 55-hour CycleThon", where he plans to cycle non-stop for 55 hours!!! His objective is to get the public, celebrities and government officials alike to join him in cycling on stationery bicycles and raise at least R1000 per hour of cycling in order to build a house [or more] with Habitat for Humanity.If you are in the Gauteng area and would like to get involved, please e-mail ray@thelifecycle.co.zaIf you are interested in hearing more about Ray’s epic adventure, visit www.thelifecycle.co.za or e-mail him – ray@thelifecycle.co.za – to reserve seats for his presentation in Bryanston on Tuesday 19 June at 19:00.Contact Details:www.3poles.co.za Tel: +27-72-637-2866E-mail: info@3poles.co.zaFax: 086-517-2069
Total Words: 615
Published in Sports Range