Sponsors stepped up to the plate and the 60 participants didn’t blink over the R20 000 entry fee - although knowing little other than that they would be based on the luxury Rovos Rail train, cycling for four consecutive days on road bikes. This year’s Mystery Tour, really did remain a mystery despite a dizzying pre-calendar of events, newsletters, training rides and a marketing campaign dispensing tantalising hints at the possible location of each day’s ride.

Words cannot do justice to the stately sway of a Rovos Rail carriage, and even the most stressed out executives soon surrendered to crystal-clad drinks and the clink of silver on bone china in the dining carriages. Daylight brought a thermometer showing 1 degree celcius, and kilometre after kilometre of quiet roads with good tar surfaces leading the cyclists away from a railway siding in Moerengon!

Road signs pointing to towns like Hopetown, a hundred windmills and even the lunch stop at the vast Vanderkloof dam did not really pinpoint the location. Apart from enjoying koeksisters in the right wing settlement of Orania, much of the day was spent sorting out the pecking order within the three cycling groups on the remote roads of the Northern Cape. That night, the train’s journey was interrupted for a spectacular track-side feast on a bed of carpets and brocade cushions under a zillion stars.

Sumbigriver was the following day’s destination, which turned out to be the Gariep Dam (Gariep is the traditional name for the Orange River). The southern Free State brought smooth tar, quiet roads and just enough wind and undulation to keep us focused, whilst we entertained ourselves with a ghoulish game of identifying the road kill. No expense or effort was spared in preparing the spectacular tea and lunch stops, and that afternoon the stand-out moment was the radio broadcasts ringing out from the support vehicles that the ‘Boks had won the Tri Nations series!

That night’s route briefing was again vague about where the next day’s ride would be, but the altitude charts said it all: with more than 300km already in the legs, 2 300m of altitude gain over less than 100km was going to hurt! Daybreak left the cyclists anxiously looking up from Maseru into the huge mountains of Lesotho. Tracing the Makhaleng River along the A3 road to the Mohale Dam, they faced the appropriately named God Help Me Pass (2318m) followed by Blue Mountain Pass (2641m). Although the first lot of cyclists reached the Mystery Lodge at the top well ahead of predictions, the real story unfolded in the triumph of determination over gravity for those further back in the field who doubted they could do it, but did!

The last day’s riding started among more familiar towns in the Free State, and with “only” 60km to ride. The climbers had their moment of glory the previous day; this day’s ride was to end in a thrilling sprint against the train to the end point of the tour. It was touch and go, but SA cycle champion Malcolm Lange managed to add another victory to his career tally of more than 400 wins.

At the spectacular Gala dinner there was hardly a dry eye when surprise guest PJ Powers called all the hotel workers and support staff, including three of Martin Dreyer’s protégés, up on stage to join her in singing Feel so Strong. We had conquered mountains, made lifelong friends and raised R3.5 million in the process - this truly was a tour to change lives.

Computershare, the JSE, Kelly Group and Sun International were the primary sponsors of the 2009 Change a Life Cycle.  
Change a Life Projects

Computershare launched the Change a Life Cycle last year to fund anti-crime initiatives following the murder of Computershare senior manager, Mike Thomson, during a robbery in September 2007.. Computershare undertakes to match all funds raised from cyclist entry fees and sponsorships rand for rand.  This year’s cycle will see some R3.5 million being channelled into three crime prevention projects: The DNA Project, the Martin Dreyer Change a Life Academy, and I Choose to Change a Life.

DNA Project

The DNA Project was founded by lawyer Vanessa Lynch following the tragic murder of her father John Lynch during a robbery at his home in 2004. Realising the critical role that DNA evidence could play in investigating crime in South Africa, Vanessa began lobbying to create a comprehensive DNA system in SA.
 With the backing of donors, the DNA Project has already provided laboratory equipment for Pretoria and Western Cape’s Forensic Laboratories, developed DNA forensic awareness training programmes and a post-graduate forensic analyst qualification, and funded the UK Forensic Science Services review of SA’s forensic laboratories.

One of Vanessa’s most important roles has been to lobby Government to amend legislation, which currently prevents DNA profiles from being uplifted from convicted offenders and arrestees. In a major breakthrough in December 2008, Cabinet approved the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill in order to dramatically boost the collection, storage and use of DNA evidence.  It is anticipated that this Bill will be enacted by end 2009, providing the framework for a complete transformation of forensic detection in South Africa.

Martin Dreyer Change a Life Academy

Anyone who has met Martin Dreyer cannot fail to be impressed by this sporting dynamo. Known as South Africa’s multi-sport King, he is a 7 times Dusi Marathon winner as well as winner of multi-sport world events. In 2008 after years of sporting accolades, he set his sights on a new challenge – empowering youngsters in the impoverished Dusi Valley to become super-athletes too.
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In October 2008 Martin launched his Change a Life Academy, sponsored by the Change a Life Trust. He identified 15 enthusiastic youngsters in the Dusi Valley – some just 16 years old - and supplied them with canoes, shoes and equipment to begin training. His initial goal was to see 10 of his protégés finish in the top 50 in the 2009 Dusi. For four months the group’s grueling daily training regime started at 4h00am and on January 17th 2009, his ambitions were far exceeded - of the 12 Change a Life members who started the race, two romped home in the top 10 and 11 were in the top 43, out of a field of 1400 entrants.

This year Martin has set his sight on the next goal – training his Change a Lifers to become multi-sport athletes. Armed with mountain bikes, they commenced a gruelling multi-sport training regime in March and have already caused a sensation in events around the country. But Martin’s Change a Life Academy is about far more than sporting achievement. It is about creating positive role models for South African youngsters to aspire to – imbued with the qualities of discipline, hard work, commitment, courage and determination. Through his Change a Life development team - now firmly on the map as multi-sport champions - Martin is inspiring South Africa’s youth to reach for their dreams.

iChoose to Change a Life

iChoose to Change a Life is a 6-month leadership course that inspires youngsters in conflict with the law to become anti-crime champions. The programme is run by Valued Citizens Initiative (VCI), which has trained more than 3 500 educators, reached 420 000 school pupils and worked with nearly 200 of the most violent schools in the country.
 
Valued Citizens Initiative runs a diversion programme for young offenders who have been referred from the Johannesburg, Wynburg, and Randburg Childrens’ Courts. Change a Life funds a six-month leadership course focused on young offenders who have shown particular commitment and leadership potential. Through experiential learning, “iChoose to Change a Life” helps these youngsters to deal with conflict and to become agents of positive change. During the course, each youngster develops his own anti-crime project in his or her school or community.