Two South African Teenagers. One World Championship. One Incredible Dream.
Jayden Davis and Jason Reineke. Every now and then a story comes along that reminds us why we ride. It’s not always about the latest bike. Or the fastest time. Or even crossing the finish line first. Sometimes it’s about chasing a dream that feels far bigger than yourself.
Today we’d like to introduce you to two remarkable young South Africans: Jayden Davis and Jason Reineke from Treverton College in Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal. Last year these two athletes became South African Schools Adventure Racing Champions, earning something that thousands of young athletes dream about but very few ever achieve—the opportunity to represent South Africa on the world stage.
In July they will travel to Canada to compete in the inaugural Junior Adventure Racing World Championships, where the best young adventure racers from around the globe will meet for the very first time. What makes this even more special is that they didn’t get there through luck.
They earned it.
Adventure racing is one of the toughest endurance sports on the planet. It demands far more than simply being fit. Athletes must master mountain biking, trekking, paddling, navigation and teamwork while making decisions under pressure, often over many hours of racing.
Jayden and Jason have spent countless weekends training, learning to navigate unfamiliar terrain, improving their mountain biking skills and pushing themselves well beyond what most teenagers would consider normal.
Their hard work is already paying off. Earlier this year they won the Back to the Berg 200 km LITE Adventure Race—not in the junior division, but in the Open category, competing against experienced adult athletes. That’s an incredible achievement.
Wearing the South African Colours
For any athlete, pulling on the green and gold is one of life’s greatest honours. It represents years of dedication. Early mornings. Late afternoons. Missed social events. Long training rides. Blisters. Failures. Lessons. And the determination to keep showing up. Jayden Davis and Jason Reineke now have the opportunity to wear those colours with pride in Canada.
Unfortunately, qualifying for a World Championship is only half the battle. Getting there is often the hardest part.
Talent shouldn’t be limited by finances
Travelling from South Africa to Canada with bikes and adventure racing equipment is a significant logistical challenge. Flights, entry fees, visas, accommodation, transport, racing kit and specialist equipment all come at a considerable cost.Like many young South African athletes, these two have the talent. What they need now is support from the community around them. Their families and Treverton College have been working tirelessly to raise funds, but with departure scheduled for 18 July and racing beginning on 23 July 2026, time is running short.
Help us help them ✈💳🚲
If this story inspires you, there are several ways you can make a real difference.
- Financial Sponsorship. Every contribution—large or small—helps get these young athletes one step closer to the World Championships.
- BackaBuddy Donations. If you’d like to contribute directly, donations can be made through their fundraising campaign.
- Equipment Support. Adventure racing places enormous demands on equipment. Support with items such as: Bike travel bags or boxes. Tyres and tubes. Tools and spares. Hydration packs. Cycling apparel. Other racing essentials would be hugely appreciated.
- Nutrition. Quality nutrition can make all the difference during multi-day endurance events. Any assistance with race nutrition and hydration products would help these athletes perform at their very best.
Or for more info contact Annemarie Davis on 0832353550 as Parent Representative for the South African Junior Adventure Racing Team.
Why we share their story
At Bicycle Couriers we spend every day moving bicycles around South Africa. But what really drives us is seeing where those bicycles take people. Sometimes it’s someone’s first race. Sometimes it’s a bucket-list cycling holiday. And sometimes… It’s two determined teenagers carrying the hopes of a nation to a World Championship halfway across the world.
We believe South African cycling and adventure sport has an incredibly bright future. Athletes like Jayden and Jason are proof of that. If you’ve ever believed in backing young talent, now is the time. Let’s show these young athletes what the South African cycling community is capable of. Together, we can help them get to the start line.
Good luck, Jayden and Jason. We’re all behind you.
