With their 600 km cycle challenge completed, Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) lecturer Dr Marietjie Lutz and her team of cyclists have their eyes trained on the ultimate finish line – raising at least R100 000 for science students in need.
They have already raised R92 000 with their Wheels of Opportunity (WOOP25) campaign, surpassing the R75 000 raised last year. “This campaign has not only raised awareness about the financial challenges many of our students face but has also become a powerful investment in the future of hardworking and deserving individuals. We plan to keep the GivenGain platform open until the end of April."
Their bodies may still be recovering from the gruelling cycle, but Lutz says the team never faltered in their dedication to the cause. Her four children completed the full distance with her over six days – even the youngest, Dani?l, 14, who is in Grade 8 at Paul Roos Gymnasium. “He was unsure (at the start) of what distance he would be able to cover, and he ended up doing the whole thing." She said everyone involved in the cycle kept their focus on the goal. “No one ever asked 'why are we doing this?', we all just kept moving forward."
Lutz says the experience was about so much more than just pushing limits and completing a challenge. “For each of the riders, it was a journey of personal growth. It was about paying it forward for someone else." The objective to raise funds for talented but underprivileged students resonated particularly with her two eldest sons, Ben and Jan, who are both studying at SU.
As in 2024, the cycle was not without its challenges. Long distances took their toll and on Day 2, the group cycled a demanding 125 kms, spending over seven hours in the saddle. “We were all exhausted," recalls Lutz. The curious kudu from last year made a repeat appearance, says Lutz, and this time the group was joined for a short distance by an energetic eland. Fortunately, her torn hip labrum did not play up. “Amazingly, I had no issues. I think because I was better prepared physically than before." She adds that better planning made it possible to expand the group to include her whole family and four additional cyclists. Fuelled by salted potatoes and diluted Coca-Cola, they pushed through the heat and hills to complete the distance.
The support – both financial and motivational – was overwhelming, she says. Lutz initially wanted to cap the fundraising goal at R75 000 again. But, encouraged by her husband to aim higher, she set a target of R100 000. The donations that started even before the first kilometre was cycled made her realise that “if we decide the outcome at the beginning, we limit ourselves and then how will the impossible come true?". Ultimately, adds Lutz, she decided, “If we want to do good, we should not limit ourselves. And this applies to anything in life – a student studying for a degree, for example. We should not limit the outcome of any such dream."
Lutz carried the dreams of many students with her throughout the six days, and a miniature version of SU's mascot Pokkel was attached to her handlebars as a reminder of the campaign's goal. “When things got tough mentally and physically, I looked down at Pokkel and was reminded of the reason why we did this."
Captions:
The Lutz family, of which all four children completed the full 600km challenge.
Exhaustion after the second day's 125km stretch.
Beautiful scenery on the WOOP25 campaign cycle.
SU's Pokkel provided motivation when things got tough.
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