Biance and Daniel from ChemChamp: Cycling for CANSA Active at the Absa Cape Epic
We’re thrilled to introduce Biance and Daniel from ChemChamp, an inspiring duo taking on the iconic Absa Cape Epic in support of CANSA Active! With their dedication to making a difference, Biance and Daniel are cycling to raise funds and awareness for CANSA’s care and support programmes. Their incredible journey highlights the power of community and compassion in the fight against cancer. Biance and Daniel share below:
“In October 2018, we had been invited to cycle for cancer awareness and the theme was “anything pink”. I opted for a pink ribbon in my helmet. It felt good to contribute in such a small but important way, creating awareness. The importance of your annual checkups cannot be emphasised enough, even if you feel perfectly health. I realised that if two of the ladies, who have influenced my life in such an awakening way, had done their annual checks, they might have had a very different life.
Religiously, since that day, I have cycled with a pink ribbon in my helmet. This has grown to cycling with bright pink bottles, and in October months, I would have pink nails.
In 2024, Daniel and I decided to give more. We want to raise not only awareness, but funds for CANSA. I did my first 100miler in our new ChemChamp 4 Cancer awareness kit.
In MTB stage races, the queen stage is deemed to be the hardest and most challenging stage of a race. In an EPIC MTB race, every single stage and day feels like an ordinary race’s queen stage. You are challenged physically and mentally; obstacles are set in your way that you would at first think that is impossible; your team relationship is put to the test not just on the bike but off the bike too.
Our very first EPIC was the Absa Cape Epic in 2023. During stage 1 of 7, I got such a wake up call that this race is brutal. Time lines are almost impossible, unless you bank time, recovery time is minimal, the days are long and strenuous on the body. Partnerships are tested, only the strongest bonds will walk away together smiling.
On the finish line of stage 6 of 7, I had reached my perceived limit of exhaustion – fighting the clock to stay in the race, fighting the weather, fighting my mind and coping with bronchitis. On the finish line of the grand finale I felt so empowered and it felt so surreal that we have conquered our first storm and we walked away feeling like champions.
A new standard has been set of coping and what is actually hard. We have since done 3 international Epics and another Absa Cape Epic.
Not one was an easy race, and we thought that if we are going to suffer, let’s suffer together for a cause. No matter how hard we suffer on any given day, the person with cancer fights a much harder battle. This is why we create awareness. If we can save only one person from this suffering, we succeeded in our cause.
We have connected with CANSA and will be riding the world’s hardest MTB stage race for cancer awareness. We have committed to raise R250 000 by February 2025.”
Join Biance and Daniel in raising funds for CANSA Active. Your donation will make a real difference in the lives of those affected by this disease.