Update

PLETTENBERG BAY  NEWS - He had participated in many gruelling mountain bike races, but tragically, this year's Tour de Plett on Saturday 11 November would be local adventurer Ian Watt's final race.

He passed away after taking a fall during the race.

Since retiring to Plettenberg Bay nine years ago, Watt (73) savoured his long-time love for mountain biking and adventure cycling. 

"He was passionate about his cycling and participated in many wonderful adventure rides," said his friend of 28 years, Mike Braby. Watt was an active member of both the Plett MTB Club and Club 100. He also cycled with the Kwano Academy.

A man of many races

His list of races include the Tour de Tuli, a world-class mountain bike adventure through the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Park traversing South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Also, the Cycle Mashatu event through the Mashatu Game Reserve, the sanctuary for the largest herds of wild roaming elephants on private land, with cyclists covering 25km to 30km per day.

Watt had also completed the Wines2Whales race from Lourensford in Somerset West, over the Gantouw Pass through Oak Valley, ending up in Hermanus. He and a close group of friends, called the Madalas, rode on many special getaway events organised by Colin Shave of Kwano Academy.

Last ride

He passed away doing what he loved. According to Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk, Watt lost control and rode into a ditch next to the designated track. "He was found unresponsive. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death," said Van Wyk.

Race organiser James Stewart described it as a tragic event. He said the mid-morning incident took place on a rural farm in Bitou. 

"Sadly, despite many riders having a fun day, the day was marred by the tragic passing of local cyclist Ian Watt. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and the local Plett cycling community. My sincere condolences to all who knew him," said Stewart.

A brilliant medical professional

Braby said family and friends were deeply shocked and devastated at the news of Watt's death. He was a very well-liked and talented personality who had grown a large social circle of friends since moving to Brackenridge in Plett nine years ago.

Braby met Watt in 1995 when they were neighbours in Morningside and their families knew each other very well.

Their children went to school together and the families spent countless holidays together.

Braby described Watt, who was born in 1949 and qualified as a dentist at Wits University. "[He was an] excellent specialised medical professional, who helped pioneer and bring implantology to South Africa," he said. "Ian was always at the forefront of technology in his practice and was recognised as a leader in his field, setting very high standards. He drew many people with those attributes in implantology to his practice. He was very conscientious and always on top of his game."

Ian Watt was an active member of the Club 100 cycling group. 

A wild passion

Watt was also passionate about the Lowveld bush and had an impressive knowledge of trees and birds. "Ian spent many happy years at their property at Ingwelala in the Lowveld, where he hosted many friends and shared his love of nature with them," said Braby.

Another attribute of Watt was that he and his wife were accomplished chefs and created many special meals, which they shared in a culture of a wider social family of special friends in Plett.

Ian Watt leaves behind his wife Nadine, two daughters Jessica and Tiffany, son Dustin and two grandchildren.

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