Grant Clark and the travelling book

Cape Town cyclist Grant Clark shares how his love for cycling and reading led him on an epic journey from Cairo to Cape Town to raise awareness and funds for childhood literacy.

I am a born-and-bred Capetonian. I’m not sure if that’s a plus or not, but it is the best city in the world. My mates and family – especially my old man, with a deep sigh – will tell you that I’ve always been much better at sports activities than I have been at business endeavours. When it was clear that my springboard-diving career and then my touch rugby career weren’t going to shower me with the glory, riches and free stuff that I craved, I turned to cycling. I’ve since fallen in love with a sport that is one of the purest forms of transport you can get, and probably the most popular mode of transport in Africa.

Recently, and with a growing passion for the impact that literacy levels have on education and general knowledge in Africa, I’ve looked for ways to help inspire more children to read and discover the world of books. I am also in the process of writing a children’s adventure novel.