Bok legend Joel Stransky takes on a mammoth 2,500km endurance race, aiming to raise funds for eyesight screenings and glasses for South Africa’s most vulnerable children. With a background in rugby, Stransky’s journey began when he was told he would never play again due to a persistent knee injury. This led him to take up cycling, and he has since ridden the Absa Cape Epic 14 times, raising substantial funds for charity. Stransky’s passion for mountain biking is rooted in the sense of community and shared experiences it offers, similar to rugby. He has faced challenges, including a crash during the 2017 Epic that resulted in injuries, but these experiences have taught him resilience and mental fortitude. Stransky’s charity, the LumoHawk Foundation, focuses on the educational needs of previously disadvantaged children, and he has noticed a significant issue with prescription glasses among these children. The foundation has tested around 20,000 children and provided glasses to 12% of those tested. The idea for the endurance race came from a conversation with a friend, and Stransky and his team set out on a 170km journey from Durban to Mooirivier. The race will cover 2,500km in 14 days, passing through towns like Harrismith, Ficksburg, Kimberley, and Upington, with the final stage, the ‘Desert Dash’, being a grueling 400km route. Stransky acknowledges the challenge, stating, ‘I don’t know if it’s possible to prepare.’ He is motivated by the ‘little children who struggle to see’ and aims to raise enough money to support the children for the next two years. Riding alongside Stransky is Arrie Rautenbach, a former CEO of Absa, who is also raising awareness for Parkinson’s disease. Stransky plans to continue his rugby-focused lifestyle, stating he would have preferred to stick to rugby rather than become a professional cyclist.