When a French traveller arrived at a South African police station asking if he could rest for the night, he was not met with suspicion, but kindness.
South Africa (21 October 2025) – It is not every day that someone shows up at a police station asking for a place to sleep. It’s even less common when that someone has cycled all the way from France.
That is exactly what happened when a French cyclist, Theotime Massot, after a year on the road, rolled up to a South African police station with nothing but his bike, a sleeping bag, and a humble request: a safe spot to rest for the night.
He had first tried a gas station, where attendants suggested he try the police station instead. The exchange that has since captured hearts online. A traveller explaining his story, and local officers meeting him with patience and curiosity.
Theotime has spent the past year pedalling across the continent. Covering more than 20,000 kilometres from Paris to the Cape of Good Hope. His journey took him through the West Coast of Africa down towards Namibia before reaching South Africa in just 335 days. He arrived in nothing but his trademark Faf de Klerk underpants.
Beyond adventure, his ride carried a deeper purpose. Funds raised through his journey are supporting research and families affected by cystic fibrosis, a cause close to his heart after seeing its impact on people he’s met along the way.
The video sparked a wave of personal stories, as South Africans remembered their own positive experiences with the police.
Theotime even joked that back home, he was not sure if the response would have been as kind. But here, in true South African spirit, he found that a small act of generosity speaks volumes.
Sometimes, the road leads you to new places, but also serves as a reminder of how good people can be.
Related Story
View this post on Instagram
by 