Blog Day 6: Wepener to Zastron 68kms
After 5 long days on the road, we welcomed the later start at 9am from Lord Fraiser Guesthouse in Wepener. Phiwe missed breakfast yet somehow escaped sanction at our traditional Fines’ Meeting after Dinner.
Injuries began to pile up: Edrich and Manelisi got some attention from Lord Lunga Dunga in his Ambulance before we set-off. Sigqibo cycled parts of the stretch with one leg due to cramps and the usual suspect, Phiwe’s lower-back tapped out for the first 5kms in the last 20km strip. He was back on the road without approval from the Road Safety Committee and was only noticed by Siliziwe who caught him rushing into the road without a helmet sneaking back in to ride. Once again, he somehow escaped sanction.
There were as many EC number plates as there have been Lesotho, GP and FS now. A Rider who won’t be named out of fear of fines counted every 22 of them and shouted “Mkhaya” when each one passed.
Our entire support Team of Tony, Ash and Chanel decided they wanted to Cycle, yet Jen, alone, delivered excellent lead support car duties even though some of our speedsters known as Dyobists, wanted to be released a bit more downhills.
We stopped for lovely photos at Edgemond Dam where Tony told us the History of the 1965 Ride “Give it horns Trophy” awarded annually to the 1965 rider who embodies the most grit and determination above all our other values.
Arrival in Zastron still felt like it came too quickly with many of us considering the 68 odd kms a quick coffee ride. Our mandatory stretch led by Tony was still necessary and relieving though this time with a new milestone: Ta Lungs, somehow was able to reach his toes in our hamstring stretch, which is no small feat (Pun intended) for a Two-Meter Man.
An enjoyable Chicken Pie Lunch and especially delicious Dinner Braai came by quick and we were soon in the 2nd part of our evening program where Jan, one of our oldest cyclist of almost 80 years old, was recognised for her unbelievable fitness levels and cycling technique. She has never shown a single sign of struggle in this cycle of 30 hours of time on the saddle and 76000 pedal strokes.
Regardless of how gruelling this has been, today we crossed the Orange River into the Eastern Cape. So there’s simply no turning back: Ours is a battle of the spirit… Because when you are fighting up a hill, drowning in a headwind, and the only reprieve is to pedal forward, that dark negative voice in your mind is silenced because the very act of continuing is real-team evidence that you are in-fact the kind of person for whom it is worth to fight. That silence gives us back our true selves: That we are Limitless and WORTHY because that power proves there is a part of God in all of us.
The Pain pales in comparison to our purpose. So please provide sponsorship. We don’t know what these roads will bring but Love always leads home. Till there are no more hills to conquer. We are coming home. 1965Ride.co.za It’s a school scholarship cycle.
By Phiwe Salukazana
