For Tyrone Flanagan, cycling has never just been about speed or competition.
At 26 years old, the Boksburg-based cyclist describes himself as disciplined and quietly determined, someone who finds clarity and purpose on the road. Cycling, he says, is where he processes life, pushes his limits, and learns what consistency and commitment can achieve over time.
In December 2025, that personal space of growth became something much bigger.
It became Smiles for Miles, a 1600-kilometre, 10-day cycling journey from Boksburg to St Helena Bay, powered by faith, purpose, and a desire to give back.
When Purpose Meets the Road
Smiles for Miles didn’t come from months of planning or careful deliberation. For Tyrone, it was a moment of clarity.
“There wasn’t a long build-up,” he explains. “It was one of those moments where you just know you have to do something.”
He felt a strong pull to use something he loved, cycling, to create impact beyond himself. The journey would test his physical limits, yes, but more importantly, it would be a way to turn effort into meaning.
Half of the funds raised would go to Mercy Haven Ubuntu House, a safe haven for women and children affected by gender-based violence. The remaining funds would help cover essential costs of the ride and support Tyrone’s upcoming racing season.
Ten Days. Endless Lessons.
From 22 to 31 December, Tyrone rode day after day through towns, farmlands, and vast Karoo landscapes, covering distances that would challenge even seasoned endurance athletes.
The ride was intense, rewarding, and very real.
“The biggest challenges weren’t always physical,” Tyrone says. “A lot of it was the logistics behind the scenes, recovery, planning, timing, and making sure I could show up the next day ready to ride again.”
Day 9 stands out most vividly: 199 kilometres between Calvinia and Clanwilliam, battling relentless wind and unforgiving hills.
“That day demanded everything,” he recalls.
Yet it was often the quieter moments that left the deepest mark, passing through small Karoo towns, experiencing the openness and simplicity of community life, waking early to see game along the road, and pushing through his longest-ever distance of 240 kilometres between Bothaville and Boshof.
And then there was Day 10.
Arriving in St Helena Bay, the final destination, after ten days on the road.
“That moment stays with you,” Tyrone says simply.
Why Mercy Haven Ubuntu House Matters
Tyrone didn’t choose Mercy Haven Ubuntu House by chance.
Their work, supporting women and children affected by gender-based violence, aligns deeply with his faith and values. To him, it’s about restoring dignity, safety, and hope where it has been stripped away.
There is also a deeply personal connection. Tyrone’s mother works as a counsellor at Mercy Haven Ubuntu House, and through her, he has seen firsthand the impact the organisation has on lives marked by trauma.
“Knowing the physical effort had a purpose beyond personal achievement made the hard days easier,” he shares. “It reminded me that endurance isn’t just about pushing through pain, it’s about standing for something bigger than yourself.”
A Journey Rooted in Social Justice
As the story of Smiles for Miles is shared around World Day of Social Justice, its message feels especially relevant.
For Tyrone, social justice is about dignity.
“It’s about ensuring that people are seen, protected, and valued,” he says.
Smiles for Miles connected awareness to action, using physical endurance to shine a light on real issues and to support organisations doing meaningful, often unseen work on the ground.
Quiet Change, Lasting Impact
The journey has changed Tyrone, not in loud or dramatic ways, but in steady, lasting ones.
It reinforced humility, patience, and gratitude. It showed him what’s possible through consistency as a cyclist, and what growth can look like when you keep going even when you’re tired, uncomfortable, and unsure.
And this isn’t the end.
“This feels like the start of something ongoing,” he says. Tyrone hopes to invite others into future challenges, combining cycling, awareness, and giving back, through rides, mentorship, fundraising, and community engagement.
Still Riding Together
To date, 44 donors have supported Smiles for Miles, helping turn kilometres into care and effort into hope for the women and children of Mercy Haven Ubuntu House.
Smiles for Miles is more than a ride.
It’s a reminder that when purpose meets action, even the longest road can lead to meaningful change, and that sometimes, the most powerful journeys are the ones we ride together.
Support Smiles for Miles on BackaBuddy:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/back-my-ride-fuel-my-dream