South Side Cycles Members Honour Laura Blake With Dawn Ride Before Cape Town Memorial
- More than 40 cyclists from South Side Cycles gathered before dawn in Westlake, Cape Town, to ride in memory of Laura Blake, who died after a cycling collision in Tokai
- Blake, 51, was struck by a vehicle near Tokai Road and Lente Street on 12 August and spent weeks in intensive care before life support was withdrawn
- Her husband Gary Pomario joined the group for the 30km route through Constantia hours before a family memorial was held to celebrate her life
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More than 40 cyclists from the South Side Cycles (SSC) group gathered in the pre-dawn darkness in Westlake on Friday to ride in memory of Constantia businesswoman Laura Blake, who died at Melomed Tokai Hospital after life support was withdrawn on Saturday.
Blake, 51, was struck by a vehicle near the intersection of Tokai Road and Lente Street in Tokai shortly after 05:00 on 12 August. The collision left her with a crushed pelvis, a broken elbow, fractured vertebrae and six broken ribs. She was admitted to intensive care, where she remained in a coma on a ventilator. After a scan confirmed no brain activity, her family decided to end treatment.
South Side Cycles dedicates regular Friday ride to Blake
Her husband, Gary Pomario, 48, said the group resolved during the week to dedicate their usual Friday morning ride to her. The 30km route through Constantia was one Blake herself had ridden many times.
"It was such an overwhelmingly great gesture that was decided upon, that we call the cycle in her honour. It was a powerful moment," Pomario said.
After completing the route, the group gathered at their regular coffee spot to share memories of Blake, who was described as someone "with so much to give" who invested herself fully in everything she pursued.
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For Pomario, the ride carried deep personal significance, reflecting the life he and his wife had built together outdoors.
"This is what we loved doing: being in the outdoors with the fresh air around us, even if it meant being on our bikes at 4 am, when many were still fast asleep. For my wife and me, this was what brought us much happiness," he said.
He described having the group around him as meaning more than words could convey, and said he was grateful to complete the ride ahead of a gathering with family and friends later on Friday to celebrate Blake's life.
Blake's final wishes and the SSC community
Blake wished to be cremated, with her ashes used as compost for a tree to be planted in her honour. Her family has confirmed they intend to fulfil that wish.
SSC founder Natalie Stacey said the group was established in June 2025 as a small circle of friends exploring Cape Town's Deep South by bike and has since expanded into a community of hundreds of riders across all skill levels.
"We believe cycling is more than just a sport. It's a way to discover new routes, challenge yourself and create a community," Stacey said.
Western Cape police have opened a case in connection with the collision.
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Source: Briefly News
