Epic unsupported ride from Beitbridge to Blouberg
A Potchefstroom cyclist is preparing to pedal 2,600 kilometres across South Africa without a support vehicle — all to raise funds for the animals at Paws Haven, a local animal welfare organisation that has a deeply personal significance for him.
Shaun Leach, the man behind the ambitious initiative dubbed All 4 Paws, will set off from the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe on 21 March, aiming to reach Blouberg in the Western Cape by 1 April. The gruelling journey from the country's northernmost point to its southernmost tip will demand an average of 220 kilometres per day, keeping him in the saddle for between eight and twelve hours daily.
Leach's connection to Paws Haven runs deep. The organisation repeatedly came to his aid when his sheepdog, Jemma, would escape during her younger years, safely returning her each time. When Jemma later fell critically ill with cat flu, the shelter's team went to extraordinary lengths to save her — including performing a blood transfusion.
"Jemma was back on her feet within a few days. They did everything in their power to nurse her back to health," says Leach.
The route will take Leach through dust, scorching heat and mountain passes, with no vehicle following behind him. He acknowledges the first few days will be the most punishing, though he is confident his body will gradually adapt to the relentless demands of the ride.
"When you're out there in the middle of nowhere, you can't give up. You have to drive on to the next town. The goal of my project serves as motivation for me when the going gets tough. I keep the animals of Paws Haven in mind, then I pedal a little harder," says Leach.
Winter looms as shelter appeals for ongoing support
Leach is adamant that the spotlight should remain firmly on the animals rather than on himself, giving all glory to God. With winter fast approaching, Paws Haven's residents are in urgent need of food and blankets, and he hopes the All 4 Paws campaign will generate significant donations for the shelter.
"I would like to see that the donations do not end with the project, but that people will continue to support Paws Haven," he says.
Those wishing to follow the journey can do so via the Facebook pages of Leach's cycling shop, Le Tour Cycles, and Paws Haven, as well as through a dedicated WhatsApp group that will be created closer to the departure date. Details of each overnight stop and departure point will be shared publicly, giving fellow cyclists the opportunity to join Leach for sections of the route in a show of solidarity for the cause.
South African animal shelters rely heavily on community generosity to survive, and initiatives like this solo ride highlight the funding pressures smaller welfare organisations face, particularly as winter approaches and demand for food and blankets rises. The nationwide route could draw attention from donors and cyclists in multiple provinces, potentially creating sustained support beyond the event itself. Whether this translates into lasting financial relief for Paws Haven will depend on continued public engagement after the ride concludes.
