The Phat Ride is on
1023.19
Kilometers cycled so far
What is the point of being alive if you don't at least try to do something remarkable?
PHAT Defined:
Phat {fat}
ADJECTIVE
Informal 1. excellent. "a London crew with a really phat funk sound" - or in our case a lodge manager with a 'phat' passion for his people and equally 'phat' management skills - Synonyms: excellent · wonderful · marvelous · magnificent · superb · splendid · glorious · sublime · lovely · delightful · first-class · first-rate · outstanding · and the list goes on.
The PHAT GM Rides
This awareness campaign and fundraising initiative was created to help alleviate some of the financial pressures and hardships that businesses and employees in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry face due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions.WHO?
With a small but dedicated support team, Leon Rennison, General Manager of Lythwood Lodge, and Gerhard Botha of Rivers Labour Consultants, takes on a 1000KM expedition in aid of the industry they both work in, and the people they have grown to love.WHY?
We are riding for OUR industry. The cycle tour gives us a way to put our COMPASSION IN MOTION. We don’t just want to speak about the hardships of our people, but do something about it.WHAT?
The team will be Mountain Biking for awareness of their industry’s plight. Their main goal is fundraising to feed struggling families, tell the hard, but inspiring stories on route, and share their knowledge and skill with managers and employees on their way.HOW?
With your support and our determination.WHERE?
Lidgetton, KZN Midlands to Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape – visiting various towns and establishments on our route.WHEN?
Starting on 30 August and ending 27 September 2020
Why Now?
The Tourism and Hospitality Industry opens its doors on Wednesday, 19 August, for the first time since April when the Covid-19 lockdown was implemented in South Africa.
The impact of the last 4.5 months is ongoing and far from over. The industry faces huge loss of income, forced short-time, and countless retrenchments. Tourism and Hospitality will continue to struggle until international travel bans are lifted fully.
Hope sounds for a quick recovery, but a many anticipate that it could take period of 2 to 3 years for our economy to bounce back from this pandemic - in a new and adapted way.
Establishments in SA will lean heavily on the support from local communities and loyal South African travelers.
THIS IS WHERE PHAT GM RIDES FITS IN…
To raise funds for struggling employees in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
To utilise funds, donations and sponsorships and provide food parcels for these employees on route.
Every R300 raised will provide food for a family of 4 for 2 weeks.
A portion of funds raised will be used to fund campaign costs, travel and subsistence of the team. Funds will be managed strictly and ethically.
Our volunteers
Leon Rennison
General Manager of Lythwood Lodge
Gerhard Botha
Director at Rivers Labour Consultants
Willie Rennison
4 x 4 / Support / Motivator
September 14, 2020
Thursday and Friday, 10 & 11 September 2020. The sun just came up over the mountains at Kinmel Guest Farm close to Rhodes where we had […]
September 14, 2020
TRAVEL DIARY – DAY 8 & 9 FROM RESTHAVEN GUESTHOUSE, MATATIELE TO VREDERUS WILD TROUT FARM, MATATIELE
Sunday & Monday, 6 – 7 September 2020. This morning, Philip Rawlins of Resthaven Guesthouse showed us a hidden gem at the top of Matatiele, about […]
September 14, 2020
Friday & Saturday, 4 – 5 September 2020. We started day 6 with a beautiful, full moon sunrise at St Bernards Peak Mountain Lodge, and are […]
September 14, 2020
Coleford Lodge, Underberg – They were preparing for their big income during March and April 2020 – then Covid hit. Not different to any other tourism […]
September 14, 2020
Wednesday & Thursday, 2 – 3 September 2020. Day 4 is a rest day and boy are we grateful. At Coleford Lodge we met Esmarie and […]
September 7, 2020
Tuesday, 1 September 2020. We woke to a cold and overcast winter-spring morning in the Southern Drakensberg, and with a strong cup of Terbodore Coffee the […]
September 4, 2020
Monday, 31 August 2020. Last night our friends at Compendium Insurance Brokers shared some gifts with the Phat team – Compendium riding gear! A perfect fit, […]
August 31, 2020
30 August 2020, 9am. The PHAT GM RIDES team set off on the first leg of our 1000KM journey from the KZN Midlands to Jeffreys Bay […]
