From Heart Transplants to Bucket List Mountain Bike Race: Billy Macleod and Pedro Basson's Inspiring Ride

“It’s not about taking the easy route, it’s about taking the possible route.” – Billy Macleod.

Billy Macleod (56) and Pedro Basson (20) became heart transplant recipients in 2022. Both were competitive athletes before their illnesses that led to heart transplants, and each made a return to sport as soon as they were medically able to. In 2024 Billy returned to the KAP sani2c, an event he loved and had long been associated with, and completed it successfully on an e-bike.

The third and final day of KAP sani2c takes riders through the Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve. Photo Anthony Grote

In May 2025, Billy and young Pedro joined forces with seasoned sani2c riders Steph Bester and Guy Dudley, to form "Team Change of Heart", with the aim of raising awareness around organ donation with the Hero777 organisation. After a cumulative time of 17 hours, 22 minutes and 28 seconds over the three days, Billy and Pedro crossed the finish line with Steph and Guy, who had stuck with them and worked as a team to finish the race.

In early 2022, Pedro was a promising young tennis player from Johannesburg, but he ended up with an unexpected health crisis. After pushing through intense training while ill, he experienced a rapid decline in heart function, leading to a diagnosis of myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. This necessitated a heart transplant at Netcare Milpark Hospital, under the care of Dr Graham Cassel.

Post-surgery, Pedro was able to return to his studies and gradually resumed physical activity under medical supervision. By early 2023, he was back on the tennis court and exploring mountain biking, a sport he had enjoyed recreationally with his father. Pedro became confident in his athletic capability again when he secured a gold medal in the men's singles tennis at the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth, Australia.

Pedro and Billy have a special bond, now strengthened by three tough days on the bike together. Photo actionphotosa.com

Billy says he met Pedro through the doctor who performed their surgeries: “It started with a joke between me, Pedro and our doctor, Dr Cassel. Now, to actually have completed sani2c with Pedro is incredible. To see him experience the event for the first time with so much wonder - that was special. Pedro is so young and full of energy. On the first day, he was pushing at the front - until the cramps hit! But we worked as a team and got him through it. We rode the last 15 km of Day 3 together, all four of us. That moment will stay with me forever.”

Pedro says that finishing sani2c has been a major achievement for him: “I didn’t think it would be that hard, but after Day 1, I realised what I was in for. I’m young for an event like this, but I had amazing mentors: Steph, Billy, and Guy - they’ve each done sani2c at least three times, and Steph has done it eight times! They knew what to expect and coached me through it.”

Billy and Pedro’s journey from hospital beds to conquering one of South Africa's most demanding mountain bike races serves as a story of hope. Their achievement underscores the incredible feats achievable with resilience, support, and an indomitable spirit.

“I started exercising almost immediately after my transplant - under supervision at first. Six months later I was back on the tennis court. A year later, I was back on the bike,” says Pedro.

Mandy Haw, the ‘mother of sani2c’ and the family that organises sani2c, says that Billy has been involved with sani2c for over 18 years, as he used to transport riders’ bikes from Johannesburg to the event: “Billy has been with us forever. He was part of the sani2c fabric, a real character among the riders. When we heard how sick he was, it was such a shock. He was so unwell - no energy at all, and in hospital for a long time. Seeing him back and thriving now is incredible to see.”

“Some people say they’re too sick or too unfit to ride. But here you have two people who had full heart transplants. They’ve recovered, trained, and now they’re riding sani2c. Even on an e-bike, it’s still a serious challenge - the event is hard, it’s long, and it’s demanding. Their presence was such an inspiration. We’re really proud to be associated with them,” she says.

Billy explains the challenge of a stage race on an e-bike: “You can’t just go flat-out on an e-bike. You have to manage your effort and your battery. People think it makes the ride easy - it doesn’t. It just makes it possible. E-bikes are a game changer. They make it safe. You’re still working hard, but within your limits.”

Pedro says he has had to adjust to his new heart and learn its strengths and limitations: “My heart doesn’t like sudden pressure. It needs time to warm up. That’s why stage races are a better option for me - they suit my body better than short, fast events.”

At the finish, Billy and Pedro were each given an extra medal, for them to send one to each donor family. Photo Maryann Shaw

Billy echoes this sentiment: “Coming from a racing background, I was just eager to get back on the bike. But we don’t run off normal heart rates anymore. Our bodies don’t respond to adrenaline like they used to. That’s why short distances are so tough, and long events like sani2c suit me much better.”

Pedro is still buzzing from the experience: “The singletrack downhill was incredible - it was pure joy. I wasn’t stuck behind anyone on the Umkomaas descent, so I could just fly. Even though we didn’t stop, we were never going so fast that we lost sight of the beauty around us. And riding past the schools and hearing the kids cheering was unforgettable. Their energy was amazing.”

Mandy continues: “One of our slogans is “Life’s not all downhill”, and Billy truly lives that. After a heart transplant, he got fit again and came back to ride sani2c. Billy and Pedro have shown us that anyone can do it - they live that slogan. They’re also a huge inspiration to their families. Billy has a daughter, and one day he’ll ride with her. The kids look up to them and think, ‘Wow - they were so sick, and now they’re doing sani2c.’”

Billy says: “Our goal was to set a benchmark - to show what’s possible for other transplant recipients, and to inspire more people to become donors. Last year, at first I was told I shouldn’t ride sani2c, but I was able to convince my doctor, and I did it. This year, I finished it with another heart transplant recipient by my side. There are so many recipients who are afraid to even try. I want to show them: with the right technology, mindset and support, you can do this.”

Mandy says: “For us, sani2c is about more than just riding. It’s about inspiring people and uplifting communities. But most of all, it’s about encouraging young people to get out there, to get off the couch, away from the malls and the screens - to experience the outdoors. Ride bikes. Be healthy. Feed your soul.”

Billy and Pedro are doing just that. Thanks to their donors — and the families who said yes — they got a second chance. And they’re using that chance to live fully again.

You can register as an organ donor via www.hero777.co.za and www.odf.org.za. AllLife sponsored Billy and Pedro's participation in KAP sani2c. Steph Bester is CEO of AllLife and was inspired to be a part of the team and support Pedro to join Billy in the race, to help raise awareness around organ donation.