![\"ccs-62657-0-42134200-1432905037.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-62657-0-42134200-1432905037.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a>With another foray into the Valley of a Thousand Hills for the RMB Change a Life Academy at the 2015 BSi Steel dusi2c, Change a Life founder Martin Dreyer believes that the combination of Mboneni Ngcobo (left) and Sthembiso Masango (right) have a great chance of getting a podium position at the end of the two-stage race from 20-21 June. Dave Macleod\/ Gameplan Media.<\/span><\/p>\nStarting at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg and finishing at Durban\u2019s Blue Lagoon, the two day mountain bike stage race sees participants follow much of the route of the renowned Dusi Canoe Marathon, much of which passes through the homesteads of the communities in which Dreyer\u2019s charges call home.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo ride through the valley and to race in front of their family, friends and fellow community members is just so incredibly special for our Zulus; it\u2019s probably the highlight of the year for many of our guys!\u201d explains Dreyer, a seven time winner of iconic paddling Dusi Canoe Marathon.<\/p>\n
\u201cRacing in front of their very own community \u2013 who turn out in huge numbers when they hear there is a mountain bike race coming through the area and that some of their fellow community members are racing \u2013 is a huge motivating factor for our Zulus,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
While the RMB Change a Lifers look to shine in front of their home fans, Dreyer hopes the local support doesn\u2019t prove to be their undoing as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully they\u2019re not too reckless when the crowd starts cheering them on!\u201d says Dreyer tongue-in-cheek.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s almost like an aeroplane doing a flyby or a steam training leaving the station with its \u2018choo-choo\u2019; when our guys hear the crowd they almost can\u2019t help but stand and put power!\u201d he laughs.<\/p>\n
For most the race serves as a unique opportunity to explore the region\u2019s picturesque hills and valleys and experience a truly African two days of mountain biking.<\/p>\n
For Dreyer\u2019s Zulus though the BSi Steel dusi2c is far more. \u201cThe link between the race and our academy riders is almost indescribable!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEven just the route that the race follows \u2013 that is our daily training venue!<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is also so special about the BSi Steel dusi2c though is how there is nothing contrived about the route; it is such a wonderful, flowing track but Farmer Glen hasn\u2019t invented anything for the race, those are the trails that had existed in the valley already and what my guys train on daily!<\/p>\n