Cycling prodigy, Travis Stedman, to ride another gruelling 606 km for the upcoming Ride for MRP Foundation
Seventeen-year-old cycling star, Travis Stedman, is excited to take part in the 606 km Ride for MRP Foundation for the fifth time. Image: MRP Foundation / Tim Lubbe
The Ride for MRP Foundation, a 606 km cycle ride from Johannesburg to Durban on Dec 1- 2, is filled with extraordinary people all striving to make a positive impact on South Africa by raising funds and awareness for the MRP Foundation.
KZN road cycling champ, Travis Stedman, will once again be taking part in the Ride for MRP Foundation, a gruelling two-day stage Ride, this year for the fifth time. Travis is no stranger to the cycling community, with the Grade 11 learner already completing an International tour of Ireland, where he placed third. Travis first became involved with the annual Ride for MRP Foundation four years ago when he was just fourteen years old. When he was approached to join the peloton, he was the youngest rider. “When I first got involved I saw it as a great opportunity to spread awareness for the Foundation as it helps people get the opportunities that they deserve in school and after.”
Travis has steadily moved through the ranks and last years was crowned ‘King of the Hill’, during last year’s event for being the first to reach the top of the infamous Warthog Hill, part of Griffin’s Hill Mountain Pass, near Mooi River. With 240 km in their legs on day 2, riders have to tackle the punishing 3,76 km climb with a 24 4m elevation.
Part of the enjoyment of the Ride stems from the fact that Travis pedals alongside his father, Greg Stedman. “We don’t often ride with each other so the Ride for MRP Foundation is definitely a long one to make up for it. During the ride, it’s always really nice to be able to chat to someone you know and have him there to push you along when you are going through times where the fatigue starts to settle in.”
Luckily, the timing of the Ride means that the two-day challenge is between his base training. However, he further prepares by completing as many long rides as he can.
“I am really passionate about the Ride for MRP Foundation as it is a really unique way of creating awareness. It is just such a great thing to see and be a part of especially when everyone is so passionate about riding and helping out the Foundation.”
About the Ride for MRP Foundation
The 10th edition of the annual Ride for MRP Foundation from Secunda to Durban will take place on December 1 and 2. All proceeds go to MRP Foundations education and skills development programme. The 2019 Ride for MRP Foundation edition partners are: Absa, CMH Nissan Durban, SPAR, Maxed, Expand-a-Sign, City Logistics, Zapper, Trader Plus, Corruseal, KTM, Westville Cycle Club, Giant, Cyclesphere, SA Rugby Legends and Hirt and Carter.
Interested cyclists and teams are advised to enter immediately before the limited quota of 100 entries is reached.
The peloton tackle the infamous Warthog Hill in Mooi River. On Day 2 of the Ride for MR Foundation, cyclists take on the punishing 3,76 km climb with a 244 m elevation
