The 2024 Version of the 1965Ride can justifiably be considered the finest ever for a number of reasons:
- We had no untoward delays of issues with the traffic authorities. Only friendly, efficient service.
- Except for a fairly extended piece of road between Ladybrand and Hobhouse, the roads were fairly good and allowed for pleasant cycling. (Unfortunately, this also happened to be the one cold we day we experienced).
- Our accommodation establishments all pulled all stops to make our stays pleasant and comfortable. The food was top notch throughout the journey.
- Some exceptionally memorable meals were produced at Niki’s and at Lord Fraser. These two somehow produce special fare for us and we are so grateful for that.
- Although we urge cyclists to have their bicycles serviced before the tour, we still experience problems with bicycles which would not occur if this had been done.
- We had an outstanding support crew this year. Nathi and Jordan along with Mxolisi were outstanding in making sure we had everything we needed when we needed it and oftentimes even better than that.
- The usual band of willing motorcyclists who have helped us out of Heidelberg over the years withdrew the night before our start which was a but traumatic but Nathi, Jordan, Mxolisi and Jen did an excellent job of keeping us safe until we were out on the open road.
- We had no serious bike failures although Hedley’s could have been catastrophic if he had not managed to bend the hangar back into position. Thankfully, Kush not being able to ride for much of the way afforded us the opportunity of swopping parts about to keep everyone on serviceable machines. Big thanks to J9 and her Dad, Noel, for organising loan bikes for Hedley and Kaya for the last day.
- Thanks again to Mellow Velo Cycles, Broadacres for consignment stock of tubes and tyres and for fixing and packing Hedley’s bike for its return to OZ. Fortunately this year there was no great call on this stock so most of it will be returned.The Route2024 had us riding on much better roads than 2023 thanks to the major work done on the roads by SANRAL around Fouriesburg. Work is urgently needed on the road between Ladybrand and Hobhouse.The 2024 Team
This year’s team was, without doubt, the most cohesive and united. There was vast range of diversity in all respects and made for most interesting conversations and post-daily ride activities.
The experience of tours completed by this group looked like this:
First year: Janine, Lauren, Sandra, Nopasika, Siqgibo, Cush, Kaya, Morris, Mxolisi.
Second year: Hedley (all the way from Sydney, Australia), Arno, Herman, Lungisa, Jordan, Nathi.
Third year: Jan (her Majesty Queen Phelani)
Fourth year: Sili, Setu
Fourteenth year: Tony
Great to have NoPinky (Chanelle Houston) join us for the Pinky longest day; and for the last two legs from Aliwal North we joined by Nick Nicholls (QC Class of 1965) and Edrich Verster. This was a nice innovation and they certainly added to the diversity and flavour of the tour.
Let us start with our Fabulous Support Crew upon whom the cyclists are totally dependent:
- Nathi Tyembile: This was Nathi’s second tour. It showed. He knew exactly what to do when. He never once stopped at the bottom of a hill or on an uphill. In his quiet way he kept track of everyone’s kit that was dumped on him even when the vehicle was in motion. There was always hot water available for tea and coffee. He mixed in like the seasoned professional he is at this activity.
- Jordan Goddard: Jordan was at the back for all the 817km and at an average speed of only 21,25km/h! He was a real pleasure to have on board, just as he was in his first year with us in 2023. He is an absolutely wonderful ambassador for Alderson Ambulance and although only had minor cuts, contusions, and strains to deal with (thankfully). Arno, Kaya, Sandra and Siqgibo, in particular, were very happy to have him there. His involvement went far deeper than just being our fabulous medic. He immersed himself in all the goings-on! Come back again next year Jords!
- Mxolisi Nxangashe: Mxolisi, or Mx, as he become fondly known, arrived thinking he had only one job to do but by the third kilometre he found his job had expanded beyond what had imagined he would be doing. He became the key gap-filler, photographer (very good), motivator and keeper of sanity when things were a little tough. His positive attitude was a real tonic and an example that all of us admired and appreciated. And thanks for looking after Kush and making her feel like royalty!
And now for the cycling crew, in order of tours completed:
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- Janine Sahd (J9 to all of us): J9 went to GHS in Komani and matriculated as deputy Head Girl in 2013. She signed up for the ride and added a whole new range of positivity and fun to the tour. She is clearly a natural leader. When Kaya and Hedley were in trouble with their bicycles she did not hesitate. She phoned her father who is in the bike business and organised loan bikes for them to complete the tour on. One example of many where she jumped in to help. Her speech to the gathered crowd on the REC at the end of ride was outstanding. Hope J9 is back next year.
- Lauren Neilson: We start this review with the two youngest in the Parlotone. Lauren heard about the 1965Ride from her friend J9. She did not hesitate. She signed up immediately. She is an exceptionally competitive cyclist/triathlete who showed most of us how to ride on her stunning TREK racing tribike. Apart from her athletic ability her attitude and sense of humour shone the whole way, although she did have some sense of humour loss when her tubeless TREK suffered a puncher on the second last day. Fortunately, she also discovered that having a tube in her tyre did not detract from her bike’s ability to perform.
- Sandra de Bruin: One of three school principals on the tour, Sandra knew from the beginning that she would have her struggle times. And she did! But she was never daunted, always had a ready smile, and participated in everything. Had the opportunity to watch proceedings from the comfort of the car for some periods during the tour but pedalled strongly when on her bike. Sadly, her tour came to end at the start of the last day when she knew that she had something seriously wrong with her left Achilles tendon. It was so bad that she could not even put her foot on the ground. After Wesley, her husband, and taken her to the doctor she was immediately put in a moonboot to protect the damaged leg and the next we saw of her was limping along on crutches at the Astron garage. She will return!
- Nopasike Lilla:. Nopasika arrived in her X7 with Mxolisi. It took a little time for her to feel a real part of the Parlotone but when she did, she did so wholeheartedly. It was then that we really got to know Nopasika. She has a keen sense of humour. She is a strong cyclist and when she puts her head down and pushes pedals, she churns up the hills. She was a bit noisy when the battery fell off the back derailleur and she suddenly had no gears! Of course it would happen on the cold, wet and potholey day. But once back on her bike she was unstoppable.
- Sigqibo Sishuba: Sigqibo has been trying for three years to do the 1965Ride. This was his year. He is not a noisy type. He just gets on with the job. He cycles strongly and was usually to be seen either with the strong bunch upfront or at the back somewhere helping someone less talented than he. Always willing to help, he was usually there when someone had fallen or when there was a tube that needed replacing. A strong, deeply sincere quiet man!
- Kaya Malotana: Former rugby Springbok, the older partner in the twinship with his sister Kush. Kaya was not well the first few days of the tour, but he showed us the fighting spirit of a true Springbok. I am sure he will remember Heidelberg to Fouriesburg as a real battle. But he came out of it with a Rocky Balboa “I will overcome all odds” attitude and do what I came to do. And he did. Every now and again he would let us into his humour, wisdom, and his spirituality and in so doing revealed his natural leadership talents.
- Kush Malotana: Kush definitely does not qualify as the most proficient, nor the strongest cyclist. She did what she could, but she showed what she is capable of on the last day when she averaged over 22km/h uphill and down dale into Komani! Though she did not shine in the cycling department she certainly shone in the motivation and fun department. We had many laughs with Kush and also at her expense. It was great having her there pretending to be royalty sitting in the back of the X7!
- Morris Zack (Zack Attack, Ta Morre): Possibly the find of the 2024 tour. 8 months ago, he had a belly that a 7month pregnant woman would have been proud of. He trained, he hired a personal trainer, and he rode whenever he had the chance. He lost his belly; he gained muscle and endurance and was indefatigably strong the entire journey. He was also a belly full of laughs and those of us on the tour will never forget the “Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, And for the Stats with ……Ta Morre!”
- Hedley Coleman: The Professor came all the way from Sydney Australia to help us raise bursary funds (and he has done a fabulous job of that), to ride the 1965Ride again and to visit his Alma Mater Queen’s College of which he was Head Boy. He succeeded on all counts. He had a traumatic start to the tour when he fell without crossing even the first road. His bike was damaged – the derailleur hangar was bent and for some time it looked doubtful that he would be able to proceed. We were already scouting around for alternatives. However, the resourceful person that he is, he managed to bend the hangar back sufficiently for the bike to operate. It lasted until the end of Day 8 when it finally collapsed. At the start of Day 9 Noel Sahd kindly provided him with a loan bike for the last 66 km. It was wonderful to have him back this year and we hope that we will see him again soon!
- Arno Swart: In 2023 Arno braved the tour on a MTB. This year thanks to Her Majesty, Arno had a road bike and found the going much easier. He also discovered the amazingly soothing powers of Chammy Cream! As one of the school principals he has certainly set a splendid example and none of those on this year’s tour will forget the shining happy faces of the learners at his school Southbourne Primary as we rode past it. It was enough to make all the grown men (and ladies) cry!
- Herman Venter: Last year he was labelled the strong man of the tour. This year he definitely was the iron man. A quiet strong man, he does a superb job as Principal of WhitGap, Whittlesea. He was always around to help and to motivate. He had a kind word for everyone, and it is fitting that he received the “Most valued Player of the Day” on the last day of the tour.
- Lungisa Tshele: The Big Man, who always makes a BIG impression on those around him. It is no wonder that he is being lined up for the Presidency of the Queen’s College Old Boys Association. On this, his second 1956Ride, it is pleasing to report that he is still ‘Available’ and was constantly asking us to ‘unleash’ him. Unleashed he was between Zastron and Rouxville and again down Penhoek. He revelled in the excitement and adventure of it all and made a huge contribution to the general wellbeing of our tour group. It was super to have his wife Cynthia with us on a few occasions.
- Jan Phelan: Her Royal Majesty, Queen Phelani of KZN. Jan played a central role in everything we did from cycling, to anointing the daily Most Valued Players, to just being her lovely gentle self. She raised a tonne of money and has signed up for 2025. This is commitment from one of the more mature members of the 2024 tour! This year, to her great distress, she had a puncher!
- Siliziwe Mafika: Sili is a veteran of the ride after 4 tours. He has a wonderfully strong personality without being overwhelming and is always there to offer a helping hand whether on or off the bike. His presence and steady hand on proceedings made him a most valuable member of the Parlotone. A strong cyclist and a member of the racing snakes when the moment takes him. He is the very deserving recipient of this year’s ‘Give it Horns’ trophy.
- Setu Skepe: There was no doubt that Skeps would ride this year. He was one of the first to commit and did a decent job of raising bursary money this year even though he and Sigqibo live in a depressed town where this type of activity is tough for many reasons. Always a genuine team player. He laughs a lot and easily; he is happy to laugh at himself and is always seen helping others. We must still persuade him to give up rugby especially now that he has another child on the way any day now. He again organised a very noisy entry into and through Aliwal North with Guardmax and the local Metro Traffic Police.
- Jen Wilson: Jen is the heartbeat of the 1965Ride. And has been for all previous tours which would not have taken place without her amazing capacity for work and for spotting all the little things that need to be done…. For organising all the accommodation…. for keeping the show on the road…. for following up all the loose ends…. for tidying up the detail. She rode that first 2011 tour and now has 10 cycling tours under her belt. This year she would have loved to have been with us, but she was injured and declined the invitation to come as support saying she could support better from home on social media and that the cost of coming as support was equivalent to a bursary.
GIVE IT HORNS TROPHY
The Give it Horns Trophy is awarded by the popular acclaim of the cyclists on the tour to the person who most closely lives the values of the 1965Ride:
- Teamwork
- Respect
- Support of each other
The Winners of the Give it Horns Trophy
- 2017 Lungisa Tshele
- 2018 Pam Dorrington
- 2019 Dries Ferreira
- 2021 Rodger Webb
- 2022 Mark Berger
- 2023 Setu Skepe
- 2024 Siliziwe Mafika
The Daily MVP (Most Valued Player) Awards
These are awarded daily for the person/s who best live the values of the 1965Ride each day:
Day 1 Jordan Goddard/Nathi Tyembile
Day 2 Lungisa Tshele
Day 3 Kaya Malotana/Queen Phelani (Jan Phelan)
Day 4 Siqgibo Sishuba
Day 5 Tony Frost
Day 6 Siliziwe Mafika
Day 7 Morris Zack/Setu Skepe
Day 8 Herman Venter
That’s it, until 2025
