But this is no ordinary road trip. The Thirsty2Sea (TT2Sea) is a charity ride with a difference, combining a passion for two wheels, good company, and a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

The riders fund the trip themselves and bring along their own scooters, which are auctioned off at the end of the journey. Every cent raised through the auction goes towards supporting Beaudene Daycare, a specialised facility in Bloemfontein.

The scooters are auctioned off after the bike run. Photo: Morgan Piek

The centre provides essential therapeutic care, daily interactive stimulation and opportunities for social development for children and adults living with moderate to severe special needs and intellectual disabilities.

Over the years, the group has raised an impressive R1.5m for the facility. This year, the riders are hoping to add another R300,000 to that remarkable total.

Speaking to OFM, Wayne Thompson of Thirsty2Sea said preparations for the annual adventure begin months in advance, with almost a year of planning going into making the event possible.

However, rising fuel prices and the global fuel crisis have presented a few additional challenges, forcing the organisers to adjust their costs. Nevertheless, the spirit of the event remains firmly intact.

“It’s been ten months of planning to get everything organised, and we’ve also got some international boys who have flown in specifically for the trip,” said Thompson.

“Fuel has been an issue, and we’ve had to increase our entry fees to accommodate the rising costs. However, we’ll make it work between us. Hopefully, at the end of it all, Beaudene will receive a nice little Christmas present from us.”

Stiffie Stevenson has come all the way from England to be a part of the TT2Sea. Photo: Morgan Piek

“This is now the 12th edition of the event, and we’ve raised more than R1.5m for Beaudene over the years. That’s a fantastic achievement. It really is. The nicest thing about it is that we’re all mates and get on like a house on fire. We’ve built some great friendships along the way.”

Among those overseas riders making the journey is Bloemfontein-born Stiffie Stevenson, who now lives in England but has made the trip back to his hometown to join the annual ride.

David White’s scooter is predicted to be the first to break down. Photo: Morgan Piek

For Stevenson, the event is about much more than the kilometres covered or the adventure of travelling on two wheels. It is an opportunity to combine something they love with a cause that genuinely matters.

“Yes, we’ve had quite a few over the years. We’ve got a couple of guys from the UK and Czechia joining us this time. It’s always great to have them back here,” said Stevenson.

“This place is home. I’ve been here since it was built, and we keep coming back because we love it. It’s a fantastic event and a great place to get together.”

This year TT2Sea are attempting to donated R300,000 to Beaudene Daycare. Photo: Thirsty2Sea

The journey from Bloemfontein to Port Alfred covers more than 600km, with a large portion of the route taking the riders along gravel roads.

It promises to be an adventure filled with dusty roads, plenty of camaraderie and, most importantly, a shared mission to put smiles on the faces of those at Beaudene Daycare.

For the 15 riders, the destination is Port Alfred, but the real reward lies in the difference they hope to make along the way.

OFM News/Morgan Piek  dg