Dr Marietjie Lutz, a first-year Stellenbosch University (SU) chemistry lecturer, is back peddling for a purpose, this time to raise funds for students in need.
But this time she is tackling the 2026 Absa Cape Epic, a gruelling 707 km ride of “raw wilderness” and 15 900 m of climbing from Sunday 15 to Sunday 22 March.
“It will be tough,” she said, it will be a beast”, but we are excited and we are ready!” She and cycling partner Juanita Kruger departed from Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville on Sunday 15 March for the prologue.
Kilometres for a cause
The full-time lecturer and mother of four meets the demands of this premier mountain bike race by riding at 05:00 during the week. Her daughter, Isabel, a in Grade 12 learner at Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof, often joins her on the morning rides as support and motivation.
Lutz also spends up to 10 hours on the bicycle on weekends. Fortunately, this challenge is a “team effort” and her family pitches in where needed if mom has to train.
Lutz is no stranger to cycling for a good cause, having twice ridden 600 km from George to Cape Town as part of the Wheels of Opportunity – WOOP initiative.
The idea of WOOP was born in 2022, when she discovered one of her students faced homelessness because of financial need, yet was still achieving academically.
She decided to support financially struggling BSc undergraduate students through a fundraising cycling challenge.
This year Lutz will once again support the Maties #Move4Food initiative through WOOP, and she hopes to raise at least R100 000 for students in need. Last year WOOP surpassed its target, raising R180 000 in total over the past two years.
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Celebrating milestones
Turning 50 last year Lutz said the Epic is the ideal way to celebrate this milestone; by celebrating life and giving back to those who need it most.
It won’t be the first time she tackles this highlight on the MTB calendar. Having completed it in 2016 and 2017, this third race will grant her membership of Amaubesi, the Absa Cape Epic Finisher Club. Amabubesi means “pride of lions” in Zulu.
Kruger, Lutz’s cycling partner, is also celebrating an important milestone – being 10 years cancer-free. A theatre nurse from Somerset West, Kruger will also become a member of the Amabubesi when the two complete the course on 22 March. “I cannot think of someone better to do this with than her.”
Changing lives
For Lutz the challenge once again allows her to combine her love of cycling with a good cause. She shared that the student her WOOP initiative helped last year is now in her final year.
As one of the so-called “missing middle” students who did not qualify for government funding Lutz’s support enabled her to register for her studies.
Blessed Muyanga, the student who inspired the WOOP fundraiser four years ago, graduates from SU this month. “It is important to not just focus on yourself, but to make a contribution, no matter how small, to someone else’s future,” says Lutz.
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With the iconic race well underway, Lutz admits that there are some nerves.
“Growth rarely happens in the comfort zone. Challenges like the Cape Epic push you physically and mentally, but when you are riding for something bigger than yourself, the motivation becomes stronger than the discomfort.”
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