KMMC ‘Grace Riders’ overcome obstacles to help radio station

Seven cyclists set out on the Amazing Grace Ride from Port Elizabeth to the Karoo Mighty Men Conference (KMMC) on Tuesday to raise funds for the repair of a Christian radio station’s signal.

When Gateway News called them on the road yesterday (. Thursday) they were in high spirits and on track to complete the 360km journey by lunchtime today despite a stiff wind against them and hot conditions. They were approaching Graaff-Reinet, their last overnight stop before the KMMC.

But last week two of them were nearly knocked out of the ride — by a spider and a rock mussel.

Bitten
Johan Meyer who instigated the ride after the Lord laid it on his heart during a prayer time, said he was bitten on the knee by a spider and had a nasty experience in a hospital which nearly cost him his leg. After he saw another doctor his leg started improving but it was touch and go until days ago whether he would be able to join the ride.

Another rider Gavin Lloyd jumped of a rock at Knysna last week to go on a beach run in preparation for the ride. But he slipped and fell on a rock mussel which penetrated his hand, requiring six stitches at the local hospital. But at the start of the ride on Tuesday he said he was “good to go”. He was looking forward to the ride and to his first KMMC.

For another of the riders, the trip was a mere warm-up for his next conservation cycling adventure in July. Last year Wayne Bolton covered 6 000km and visited all of South Africa’s national parks, raising funds to combat rhino poaching, In July he will visit private reserves during a cycle trek from Port Elizabeth, through the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal to the Mozambique border.

Bolton said the Christian radio station Kingfisher FM had supported his epic conservation ride and participating in the Amazing Grace Ride was an opportunity to give back and to help spread the gospel via the airwaves. He was also looking forward to his first KMMC experience and a week of adventure and spiritual growth.

All the funds collected will go to Kingfisher FM. Sponsorship is either in increments of R1 per kilometre for the 360km trip, which amounts to R360, or a lump sum, which can be claimed as a tax rebate by companies!

Donations can be made directly to Kingfisher FM’s bank account, which is FNB 261050 (Branch) 53430058602 (Account) AGR SOS (Reference).

For more information contact Johan Meyer 064 751 0774; Allan Verreynne 084 959 7876; Wayne Pheiffer 082 466 7292, or Andrew Auld 082 495 2709.