From being the one to trick you into thinking there's still a hand under the saddle on your first ride to being the most influential a partner and role model, whether a cyclist or not, fathers and father-figures around the world inspire us to be the best we can be. As Father's Day draws near, we've collected a few stories from a few members of the community.
Luke and Indy - Finding balance, love and rhythm on and off the bike
Becoming a father changes everything. For Luke, it was less of a dramatic crash and more of a shifting terrain – one that has demanded constant recalibration.
“Having a child completely shifts your life and the goalposts are always moving, a kind of change that seems to unfold in phases." In the early weeks, things felt manageable. “The first few months are easy because the child’s just a potato... it can’t move anywhere.” But as Indy grew and found her own rhythm, so did the challenge of balancing riding, parenting and partnership.
Before becoming a dad, Luke had the freedom to ride without strict limits. “If I wanted to do two hours, I could... but it could also change to four.” These days, everything is more structured – shorter, sharper, more intentional rides. Long, indulgent days on the bike have been replaced by routines that respect the needs of his daughter and his partner, Courtnay.
“It’s not fair for me to be the only one who gets time away to ride,” he said. “Courtnay also needs that time for herself – and to ride, too.”
The silver lining? Cycling has become something they now share as a couple. After giving birth, Courtnay discovered a love for the bike herself – drawn by the benefits and the chance to rebuild her fitness. “Now she loves it and we often ride together.”
One of the biggest successes for Luke hasn’t been a race result or a KOM, but the way cycling has brought them closer – not just as partners, but as parents. They ride together when they can, supporting each other in more ways than one.
And then there’s Indy, Luke's 13 month-old daughter. “A lot of people said to me, ‘You’ll never understand the love you’ll feel for your child.’ And they were 100% correct.” He tried to put it into words, but admits it’s hard to pin down. “It’s so pure and unfiltered. One moment, I’m begging her to just go to sleep, and the next I’m hoping she never does, because we’re having so much fun together.”
It’s a beautiful mess of emotions, happening minute by minute, day by day. Through it all, Luke has come to appreciate what cycling gives him – not just fitness or discipline, but grounding.
Now, with a structured training plan and a family who shares his love for riding, he’s found a new rhythm. One that’s tighter and more demanding, but richer than ever.
Jess & Gavin - A Bond Built on Bikes
When Jess talks about her father, Gavin, there's a calm certainty in the way she describes him. “My dad is my biggest inspiration, and riding bikes with him has given me something I’ll always hold onto. Fun memories and time spent together.” Their story is about more than just bikes. It’s about presence, patience and a kind of love that never needed explaining. “He’s never told me what to do, just led by example and let me find my own way. Through that, he’s shown me what it truly means to show up for the people you love, selflessly and unconditionally.”
Before cycling became their shared passion, it was adventure that brought them together. Road trips to the Drakensberg or South Coast, even for one night, felt like discoveries. For her 13th birthday, Gavin took Jess and eight friends up Sani Pass to stay overnight at a local school. “It was so much fun and something so different. An unforgettable experience and opportunity to explore our beautiful country.”
Her first real glimpse into cycling came while watching her dad ride the Absa Cape Epic. At the time, she was more into chasing a life as a professional chef and going for big nights out than early mornings on the bike. But when she got the chance to support him during the 7-day JHB2C MTB stage race, something clicked. “I watched him tackle each stage and loved connecting with the other riders in the evenings, listening to their war stories from the day. It was cool to see how many friends he had made through cycling.” She asked him to take her riding. A little hesitant, he agreed, and took her to Giba Gorge for her first off-road experience. Just three months later, they completed theirs first FNB Wines2Whales together.
“With an average speed of 14 km/h, he patiently rode beside me, encouraged me the whole way and stopped often to take photos. I didn’t know it then, but that was the start of the most incredible chapter of my life.” Two years later, they were back at to tackle the same race. “This time around, he had no chance to take any pictures.”
Since then, they’ve taken on events like JHB2C, Sani2C, the 94.7, Rhino Ride, Cape Town Cycle Tour and Amashova. Jess is still hoping to tempt him into one more Epic, this time with her as his teammate. “Bikes have brought me adventure, love, connection and some of the best memories of my life. I have my dad to thank for all of it. I’ll never find the perfect words to express how much he means to me but I'll be forever grateful.”
Cam and Mark - Riding with purpose, racing with memory
Cam’s love for two wheels was nurtured by his dad from young. “My dad got me riding pretty much before I could tie my laces. It didn't matter if it was on motorbikes or bicycles, riding was just what we did and I cherished every minute of it."
From the time he was three, it was always him and his dad. Not just racing or training, but sharing time in the most meaningful way. “It was our way of hanging out, blowing off steam, and making memories and that never really changed, even after losing him to cancer last year".
When Cam lined up for his first Absa Cape Epic in March 2025, it wasn’t just about the race. It was about something bigger. “Taking on The Epic was something I knew I had to do, not just for the challenge, but for dad and to honour the memory of an incredible role model that taught me so much.” Each kilometre became a tribute. “Every climb, every fast descent, every quiet stretch, he was right there with me.”
Finishing the race meant more than just conquering the route. It was about carrying his dad’s spirit with him, pedal stroke by pedal stroke.
Cam’s father was his fiercest supporter and most competitive role model. “Since he passed, riding has meant something completely different for me though, while I'll always have racing for results in my blood, it has become a constant way to remember him and live out a passion that we shared.”
Their last adventure together was a simple ride. Nothing "dramatic or headline-worthy," just time spent doing what they both loved. “We didn't need anything big or flashy, but that last time together meant absolutely everything” and while his dad isn’t riding the trails anymore, Cam still finds a way to keep him close. “I keep a small container of his ashes in my back pocket when I race, so in a way, he’s still there with me on the start line every time.”
These days, Cam still rides hard. Still races. But with a different perspective. Most recently, while guiding his friend Ross through a first stage race, he could feel his dad’s voice echoing in the background: “I’m here for a good time, not a long time.”
That reminder has become his compass. "Push when it matters. But don’t forget to laugh, soak it up, and enjoy the ride" — exactly the way his dad would’ve wanted.
Sam & Terry - One Step, One Pedal, One Memory at a Time
When Sam first heard about the chance to mountain bike the Annapurna Circuit, it wasn’t just the destination that excited him, but an opportunity to build lifelong memories with his father. “My dad was the one who told me about the trip. He was in from the start, and invited me to come along. That moment kind of set the tone for the whole journey. It was something we were going to do... together.”
Nepal had always been near the top of Sam’s list. He had recently returned from bikepacking the length of Vietnam, a formative trip with close friends. But this was different, this was the Himalayas. And this time, it would be with his father, Terry, sharing not just the road ahead, but the highs, lows, and everything in between.
"Our journey began in Pokhara where we met the rest of the group and guides. Without realising it, I quickly connected with everyone on the trip, something that has always comes so naturally to my dad and now I'd been able to take some of the lessons he's taught me and apply it so literally. One of the guides, Anil quickly became a friend. He was about my age and we clicked instantly. In a group made up of mostly older riders, it definitely also made a difference having someone to relate to, especially as things got harder.”
Those first few days were filled with chaos and adjustment and leaving the city was a wild experience. “Traffic in Nepal is nothing like Australia. It’s completely unpredictable. We were dodging scooters, dogs, trucks, everything. But once we made it into the mountains, things started to settle.” The climb to altitude was slow and demanding. As the terrain changed, so did their pace. “From about 3,500 metres, we really started to feel it. Just putting in a little effort would leave you breathless. While we were advised to take it easy over 3000m I got a bit carried away a few times, making sure I remind the old man that I'm faster than him. Nothing like a bit of father-son competition.”
Their final push came from Phedi Basecamp to Tharong La Pass, sitting at 5,416 metres. It was cold, steep and relentless. “We woke up at 3:45 in the morning and stepped into the darkness. We were lucky that it was only 0°C. The cold was challenging but the altitude made every step feel heavy. It was too steep to ride, so we walked. Slowly. Together.”
They reached the summit around 10am. There were no big gestures, just quiet pride and the sense that they’d done something rare. “Standing at the top with my dad, after all that, was something I won’t ever forget.” What followed was three days of descending through the Lupra Valley, a welcome contrast to the days of climbing. "The trails opened up, the roads smoothed out, and the moments began to settle into memory. The Himalayas is a place I’ll carry with me forever, doing something like that with my dad, it’s just one of those things that becomes part of who you are. We’ve got stories to tell for a lifetime.”
