Rural Cycle Project Changes Lives

Rural Cycling Project Changes Lives - The Good Newspaper

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C2R Sunday Race

The Riders -

Both Riders are National Campions in various cycling disciplines.  As a team they attained a top 10 finish in the ABSA Cape Epic

Former Tour de France rider and SA National Champion, Jaco Venter, is a homegrown hero who has raced and excelled at the pinnacle of International Road Racing. Jaco is a coach for Cycle2Ride, an EduInnov8 Foundation partner. Through Cycle2Ride, Jaco is involved in cycling development.

Sascha Weber is the current German cyclocross champion and German MTB marathon champion. Sascha competes professionally in Cyclocross, Road Cycling and Mountain Biking.

Sascha and Jaco achieved a top 10 finish in the last ABSA Cape Epic they completed.

EduInnov8 Foundation has been presented with a unique opportunity to sponsor a Professional top 10 Epic Cycling team – Jaco Venter (RSA) and Sascha Weber (Germany).

ABSA Cape Epic - The Grand Finale

The Grand Finale

Achievement!

In the CAPE EPIC, teams are often challenged to adjust their strategy and planning, due to unforeseen circumstances. Inherently, their definition of success and achievement changes as well.

Upon Jaco Venter's crossing of the finish line the EduInnov8 and C2R teams celebrated his achievement of completing a difficult 8 days in the saddle.

First Generation learners face challenges that are imposed by circumstances outside of their control, every day. The EduInnov8 Foundation's mission is to equip them with qualities they need to develop a culture of achievement.

ABSA Cape Epic - Stage 6

The Reward

It was a cool and misty morning when Jaco Venter set out on the second last stage of the ABSA CAPE EPIC. Without the pressure of riding for position, Jaco could enjoy the magnificent trail network over 87 kilometers with 2300 meters of elevation gain.
A just reward for the hard days he had to complete through perseverance, mental resilience and having a finishing mentality.

EduInnov8 Foundation aims to foster the qualities needed by 1st Generation learners to experience the lifetime rewards unlocked through quality education.

....because education involves more than the transfer of information.

ABSA Cape Epic - Stage 5

Enjoying the journey

Jaco is riding in the Lonely Leopard jersey because teammate Sascha had to withdraw after a crash yesterday. Since his results will not be considered, Jaco's focus has changed to enjoying the wonderful trails, people and scenery.

Cycle2Ride promotes cycling as a mechanism to promote family cohesion through family cycling events and cycling adventures. We equip riders especially families with the skills and conditioning knowledge to ride for recreation or competition. Mountain biking presents us with opportunities to experience nature together and see places you would normally not have access to.

Like Jaco Venter you use cycling to serve the goals and pleasures you plan for your life.

EduInnov8 Foundation aims to bring exposure to these benefits and lifestyles within the reach of 1st Generation learners.

ABSA Cape Epic - Stage 4

A Finishing Mentality

Sascha and Jaco had a wonderful start to the day, entering the first waterpoint in 13th position. Jaco started feeling himself and prospects to improve in the general classifications seemed evident. In a moment all this changed when Sascha went down as a group of riders, riding at high speed, negotiated a sharp left turn and riders collided. The cut to his arm demanded stitches to stop the bleeding and Sascha had to withdraw.

Jaco Venter finished the stage and will continue riding as an individual finisher. We wish Sascha a speedy recovery and quick return to the bike. This is not the first Cape Epic which Jaco had to finish alone. We have faith that he will complete the journey.

Having a finishing mentality is another quality you need to reach your goals and to claim any achievements. This means that you have to continue onward in spite of setbacks and you have to be focused on the final goal, finishing the race. One can only wonder how many give up before achieving their goal and what would the impact have been on their lives if they finished what they started.

A finishing mentality is an attribute one requires to be successful in attaining an education and becoming a contributor to society and the economy. It is fair to say that our youth will benefit from opportunities and guidance to develop a finishing mentality.

ABSA Cape Epic - Stage 3

The Fruit of Positivity

Today, our team finished 9 places better than the previous 2 days! They reached the finish line in 32nd place, after another difficult stage from Tulbagh to Wellington. They are slowly improving in form and their highly developed mental strength is currently pulling them through.

It seems having a positive mindset and not giving up helped the team to improve their standing today. These are qualities that our parents can illustrate in facing daily challenges. Taking part in competition in an environment where learners can be mentored and guided through the eb-and-flow of life, is an investment in the resilience of our youth. Something they will need to continue on their course to victory. Whatever that may be.

In environments where learners are not exposed to activity and opportunities to participate and compete, positive mindsets are rare. Learners who experience this development and exposure in their homes, reap the benefits, when facing the challenges of learning. The EduInnov8 Foundation will focus our efforts on creating opportunities for 1st Generation learners to develop these attributes, such as a positive mindset.

ABSA Cape Epic - Stage 2

Determination

Our Team faced another long stage today 93 kilometers with an elevation gain of 2200m. All of this, in the Witzenberg Valley, where trails are rocky, powdery and loose. No easy rolling on the single track or jeep tracks. After a traditional brutal stage 1, you need the determination to overcome the mountains you are facing in a literal sense on the day.

With the biggest UCI Elite Men category in the field in Cape Epic history (54 teams), Jaco and Sascha finished 41st today. Although Jaco did not suffer from more cramping, he still felt low on power during the climbs today. Tomorrow’s stage may be more suitable for our two seasoned riders.

Determination can be defined as “the ability to keep doing something difficult”. It is a quality you find in successful athletes and one our youth are to develop to attain success in life. Some are naturally more determined than others, however determination can be fostered.

Through community based competitive events and the Out of the Blocks physical development program, EduInnov8 Foundation fosters these qualities in 1st generation learners.

ABSA Cape Epic - Stage 1

Resilience

Amongst other definitions, resilience is defined as “the quality of being able to return quickly to a previous good condition after problems or difficulties”.

In Stage 1, our team faced a fanatic start by the “Elite Men” on a day when they had to climb more than 2400 meters. The team lost 19 positions today to finish 42nd on GC.

Resilience is an essential quality one requires to take part in the ABSA CAPE EPIC. It is also an essential quality one needs on your journey towards attaining your personal goals in life. Physically we can improve the resilience of our form and fitness by exercising and following a progressive training plan. Being consistent and disciplined in our training helps to build resilience. Mental resilience is an essential quality one needs to develop to succeed and persevere in our life journey. In our efforts to foster and mobilize 1st generation learners, EduInnov8 Foundation creates opportunities for learners to develop resilience. By creating competitive events for children at their schools in their communities, we create an opportunity for successful students to become resilient.

Tomorrow is a new day with new opportunities for our Jaco Venter and Sascha Webber, similarly a new day awaits us to continue onward toward our goals.

ABSA Cape Epic - Prologue

Absa Cape Epic - 17 March 2024 (Prologue)​

The EduInnov8 Trek team (Jaco Venter (RSA) and Sascha Weber (Germany)) started in 24th place and gained two spots to finish 22nd at the end of the day.