Day 9 – 24 April 2025 (Hazelmere to Komani) & Final Blog by Tony

MY FINAL FINAL BLOG

Fifteen years! It is very hard to believe that fifteen years have gone by since our first 1965Ride for Education in 2011.

And now after fifteen years, the time has arrived to move on and to hand the reins to the next generation of supporters of educational excellence who are passionate about our country.

Moving on and Change are always difficult and challenging. But life moves on and it is critical for the health of our beloved 1965Ride and especially those who benefit from it to ensure renewal, new ideas and new energy.

So, this is it.

I will cover some of the important historical milestones and as well as my perceptions of the fifteenth tour.

Some history first……

Early in 2010 my dear friend Ian Dorrington called me and asked me to come to the Queens College Boys High School Reunion in April as he was about to be inducted as the President of the QCOBA. I had not been to a Reunion Weekend since 1978. I went with trepidation because I had heard of the sad state of Eastern Cape Education. I came away inspired.

I wanted to do something.

In December 2010 a meeting was convened in Morgan’s Bay on the back of some exciting proposals by an Old Queenian Des Raymer and his wife Heidi. The outcome of this and some subsequent meetings was a resolution to create and nurture Queenstown, now Komani, to become a universally recognised centre of excellence. This provided the spark. Ian and I had spoken about what we could do to support our old school. Chris Harker, the headmaster at the time, had indicated that they needed bursaries to support boarders at Queen’s. Ian and I discussed this and the idea of a cycle tour from Johannesburg to Komani was born. At the time it was just an idea.

Early in 2011 there was a meeting of Old Boys at the Wanderers Club for Des to share his thoughts on how the school and the other schools in the neighbourhood – GHS, Balmoral, QC Junior, Hangklip Junior and Hangklip Senior could join forces to create an unrivalled educational campus of some one hundred hectares.

Big ides, big dreams.

At this meeting Des said at the gathering, “By the way guys, Tony is cycling from Joburg to Queenstown, he would be happy to have some company.” Leon Jacobs immediately said that he was in.

And so it began.

The die was cast. Now we had to do something. I was doing some work at T-Systems at the time and one of my contact people was a wonderful lady called Jen Wilson. One day when we were having coffee together, I told her of my plan, and she asked me how she could help. I told her that admin is a nightmare for me and there and then she volunteered to help. A week or so later I was catching up with a friend that I had not seen in about ten years, Ashley Truscott. We shared our experiences of the intervening time and what we were doing currently. I told her about the cycling plan. She asked whether she could help with the marketing. Of course, I leapt at the opportunity to have a professional marketing person on the little team. And so it was. A few days later she called me asked whether it would be okay if she also came and did the ride. Then there were three. Then Jen said she would like to ride too, but could only get time to ride from halfway. Four. Old Queenian and a friend from Grade 1(or Sub A as it was then called), John Ralph called and said he had heard about the tour and wanted to join. Five. A couple of weeks before the ride my youngest son, Kieran called and said,” Hey Dad, you know that ride thing you are doing, can I come?” I explained that he would have to raise some money to get in. He said it was already done. Six. The first 1965Ride Parlotone was born!

The first thing the little team resolved was that we had to find a suitable route. Early in 2011 Jen and I drove to Queenstown up and down a few of the options and eventually settled on the route that we still use today. Progress. We had a parlotone and we had route.

We needed some other support, and we needed sponsors.

There were three people that immediately bought into our idea. That is all it was at that stage. An unrealised concept. A dream.

A huge shout out to Mike Dovey, an Old Queenian and Chair for the Foundation (Gauteng) Branch of the QCOBA and Alan Leicester of Alderson Ambulance who came to us via Michael Fleming who was running the Life Hospital in Fourways. Alan gave us some first aid equipment which we actually had no idea how to use, but it was comforting to have it there. Five days before our departure Mike called and said we needed to arrange insurance for the Ford Ranger he was lending us. This came as a shock. Who do we speak to for this? I scouted around my network. I told my insurance woes to my dear friend Graeme Conlyn who said to me that I should phone Rhett Barker. There was no hesitation and Barker Insurance, Alderson Ambulance and Life HealthCare Group have been stalwart supporters and sponsors from the days when all we had was an idea. The 1965Ride would not have survived without the support of these three amazing companies. We can learn a lot from the way they do business and with whom they build relationships!

Another friend from many years back Trevor Stopforth volunteered to be our everything support. We were on!

Of course, there have been many incidents and experiences along the way that bear repeating and some that don’t. Here is a selection of some of the memorable ones:

• In that first year we were so naïve. We headed out into the wild blue yonder with little idea of what lay ahead in the next ten days. Yes, ten days is what we undertook in 2011. We brought sleeping bags with us because we thought it likely that we would be sleeping in a shearing shed somewhere along the way!
• It rained on six of the ten days. When we arrived at John and Karen Jellinek’s home near Jamestown we were wet, cold and hungry. But what warm hospitality and great food we received from people we had never met!
• Our one support person, Trevor Stopforth, who did everything for us and drove uniocular half the way because of an eye infection he picked up along the way. One-eyed Trev.
• When we arrived on the Rec only the QC grade 11 and 12 classes were allowed out to welcome us home. How things have changed!
• In 2012 about 20km outside Bethlehem we were accosted by traffic officer Joseph who informed us that our ride was cancelled because we had not applied for permission. I was temporarily placed under arrest as the organiser. This is quite a long story but after explaining to him and his boss, Chief Traffic Officer Nonsintsi, that the entire episode was being recorded for a documentary courtesy of General Motors sponsorship, we managed to resolve matters and parted on friendly terms. We remain good friends with Bethlehem Traffic and especially their boss Chief Traffic Officer Gerald Mokoena. They have been great supporters of ours for 13 of the 15 years…. we did not ride in the Covid year 2020.

We did have some unexpected and sudden route changes:

·       In 2012 we were told about a week before the tour began that we could no longer ride via Villiers as they were rebuilding the road to Frankfort….so, we had the first of three tours that went via Oranjeville over the Vaal dam to Frankfort. Those were long days 142 km was longer than most had ever ridden before!

·       In 2016 we were told on the Thursday before the tour started that we could no longer travel via Oranjeville as that road was being rebuilt! When I explained that we would revert to our original route via Villiers I was told that we were not allowed to ride on the N3. I explained that we had no intention of doing so and would travel on the old road and use the original iron bridge over the Vaal River. This was deemed to be impossible and was referred to the road engineer in charge of that piece of the country who told me there was no bridge over the Vaal. I suggested he call up Google Earth and have a look at the old road across the Vaal to see the bridge. He did and explained that he had no idea that the bridge existed. So, we even had the privilege of teaching the department about some of their own infrastructure. Part of our service to the country!

• In 2022 we were again told that we would not be allowed to travel down the R26 from Frankfort as it was being rebuilt. We were happy about that because in 2021 Chanelle rode over Sili at the start of the detour road! We examined all options and eventually decided to ride from Villiers to Frankfort and back and then motor to Warden and from there cycle to Bethlehem. It was a bit of a mission and required shuttles to get everyone to Warden safely, but it was done. In 2023 we were back to our original route.
• We undertook a virtual ride in 2020 and sat on our stationary training bicycles for one minute for each of the 850 km we would have ridden without Covid. Some of our sponsors stayed with us, most notably Barker Insurance and so even in that tough year we were able to raise some money.
• Then there was the year of the challenge between the Komani Express with the Raasch and Baxter heavy units leading the charge, and the Gauteng Express led by Rob Fleming with Danie Venter and Adelle Rizzo on the Cannondale Tandem.
• In the same year a great friend of the 1965Ride, Vata Ngobeni, set a record for the slowest 30km in our history with an average of 11km/h, way below the overall average of 21.3km/h for the whole 850km tour. However, he has much more than redeemed himself by the outstanding coverage he has managed to arrange for us over many years on national television, and especially eNCA.
• The finish now is an amazing emotional experience for all cyclists. All those schools, all those people…. the impact that the 1965Ride has had on Komani.
• Every tour is under time pressure. We just keep moving. We pack, unpack, sleep, wake up ride again, eat lots and often. Deal with the weather.
• On the 1965Ride you are in the bubble of the Parlotone. The outside world seems to fade away and you are in this special space with like-minded people who have all been called to make a difference to the world in which we live. What a privilege!
• The years fold into each other, they become blur. Various times, places and people pop into your memory unexpectedly.
• There are some people who have been absolute stalwarts – Alan and Jason Leicester from Alderson Ambulance; Bruce Janssens, Ailsa Thorpe, Siphokazi from Life HealthCare Border; Rhett and Sally Barker from Barker Insurance; Hannika Struwig from Life Hospital Rose Park, Cora Muller/Elmien Barnard/Kubashnee Naidoo/Angelique Olwage/An-Marie Loots and Ashraf Waja of the Life Hospital Suikerbosrand; the Directors and especially Jacqueline Wijtenberg of the Queenstown Education Foundation; the Heads of all the associated schools; Niki’s Stone House, Mountain View Chalets, Lord Fraser, Hazelmere, The Gallery; the Board members of the Education Endowment Fund who look after the 1965Ride money and especially those two ladies who have lived with this and me from the before the first pedal had even been pushed – Ashley Truscott (Now Chair of the EEF) and Jen Wilson  who I will say a bit more about. No-one, not even I, know exactly how much Jen does for the ride nor how much time she puts in to make sure everything runs smoothly. It would collapse without her, and no-one was more delighted than I when she was awarded the Give it Horns trophy at the end of the 2025 tour!
• We have had a wonderful succession of medics to support us over the years from 2012 (Ryan Crossley), 2013 – 2016 (Big Mike Warren), 2017 – 2022 (Mark Berger, 2023/2024 (Jordan Goddard), 2025 Lunga Dunga. Amazing men who very quickly became part of the team and the 1965Ride family.
• We have had some special cyclists join our tour. Former Headboy Hedley Coleman and his colleague, Ann Collins, came all the way from Australia to ride with us. Hedley has done this twice now!  Gavin Whindus, who still holds a Hirsch Shield hurdles record came from Equatorial Guinea to join us twice.
• And we have had amazing sponsors from all over the world, but we need to single out Carolyn Gould from the US who has supported virtually our efforts from the very beginning with a most generous donation each year. She reminds us when it is time for her to donate again!

And now for the 2025 Tour

The planning as usual started in August 2024 with our applications going to the seven traffic authorities requesting permission to tour.

The registrations to cycle started to pour in, but we know in advance that some of these will withdraw before the big day. And so, it was. The numbers dwindled from confirmed registrations of 22 to the 14 who actually took to the road to cycle the tour. This always has implications because we must always place our kit orders with the manufacturers six weeks prior to the event for the kit to be produced in time. The late withdrawal resulted in numbers of beautiful kit being manufactured but not used. We keep these for the next year in the hopes that we can use them.

There were a few other Black Swan events not least of all our inability to find a Chief of Support. This meant that Jen and I, with help from Ashley Truscott, took on the support job with Jen doing most of it.

This year Free Sate Traffic insisted that we pay for two traffic officers to accompany us. We never even saw one. Hopefully we will receive a refund.

Three months before the tour we booked at Fouriesburg Country Inn which was such a hit last year. A few months before the tour we contacted them to confirm, and they said that they would no longer accommodate us because we only booked for one night over the Easter Weekend. We offered to pay for two nights but they still refused our booking. We had to make rapid new plans. It was the Easter weekend! Everywhere we tried was full. After many calls and enquiries, we were directed to Petra van der Westhuizen at Valuta Farm. She made a plan for us, and it all ended well, even though it meant splitting the group – the Tshele’s in a Caravan and Jen and I in a tent. It was a vey different stay. But delicious meals, warm hospitality and a new adventure made up for the cold wet weather and the unusual circumstances.

The rest of the tour went well. We were escorted through Bethlehem by Chief Gerald Mokoena, no sirens and official cars on Good Friday. We enjoyed and refreshment stop at the Roadside Diner in Bethlehem thanks to Old Queenian Philip Southey. He has looked after us every year since 2011!

For the first time in fifteen years we restricted cyclist from attempting a new land speed record down Penhoek Pass. It was drizzling, freezing and the thick mist was on the deck. It was the right decision, and we all made it down safely, including Jan Phelan and her slippery brakes.

This was our 2025 Parlotone (Pelaton in normal cycling terms):

The 2025 parlotone was probably one of the most diverse whatever way you wish to look at it. It was also one of the best and nicest to be part of. Very cohesive, all happy to assist with whatever needed help.

·       Alessandra Wijtenberg

MVP Day 8. The youngest cyclist on tour. But a revelation. She soared. Her personality and maturity did her proud. Her cycling technique improved every day, and she never let the hills, or the pain and fatigue douse her enthusiasm. She always gave as good as she was given. Always ready to help. She is like a child magnet. The Tshele children loved her! She gained Legends status for having her money in first in a tie with Sigqibo.

·       Ashley Truscott

MVP Day 7. Ash has been a stalwart of the tour since the beginning. It was no different in 2025. Now she is Chair of the Education Endowment Fund and has an even bigger vested interest in its outcome. She offered to help with the support driving and assistance, and this certainly eased the pressure a lot. As always, she rode with rhythmic precision.

·       Chanelle Houston

MVP Day 7. When Pinky is around there is always a lot of energy. This tour was no different! The fact that she brought her brother David along energised her even more. Pinky day was a blast, and we all revelled in the cosmos and the accompanying photographs. Close to the top of the fundraising leaderboard.

·       David Jackson

David is a natural cyclist. He cruises along with no apparent effort and charges up hills like they don’t exist. He has been a great help in the back office with the Website and other related IT issues.

·       Edrich Verster

The second youngest on tour by just a few months. He was sick with flu for the first few days but once he was fully recovered rode like a champ. He was certainly one of the quieter members of the parlotone but made some really good suggestions and came forward with good ideas regularly. Always willing to pitch in and assist.

·       Jan Phelan

MVP Day 6. She hates being the granny on tour, but Jan Phelan is such an example of gentle but indomitable determination.  A lovely gentle personality deeply woven into the fabric of the 2025 tour. One of the top fundraisers. She has now completed four tours and always looks like she could go on forever. Even the days when she struggled, she kept that smile on her face and a good word for everyone.

·       Jen Wilson

We have spoken about Jen before. This year she played multiple roles. Chief Administrator, co-organiser, accommodation specialist, cyclist, support driver, et cetera. She enjoyed her days on her rental e-bike named, Olive; She still has her beautiful Trek so hopefully we will see on the road to Komani again next year.

·       Lunga Dunga

MVP Day 2.  We have had such a good group of Medics from Alderson Ambulance that we worried that they might be running out of the good guys. How much more mistaken could we have been! Lord Dunga-Duncan turned out to be an absolute gem, both as a person and as a medic. He completely integrated himself into every element of the tour and those who drove the support vehicle will never forget “Come in Control”, or “Close the Gap Control!”

·       Manelisi Ntayiya

MVP DAY 5. It is extraordinary how quickly and thoroughly Sgidi got himself fit and ready to ride. He cycled strongly from start to finish. He was always there, always pleasant and helpful and spoiled us all at the Gratitude Dinner with personalised mugs and goodies.

·       Morris Zack

MVP Day 3. Everyone who cycled in 2024/25 will never forget “And now…. it’s time for STATS with Ta Morra!” The daily stats feedback is an excellent innovation and must stay part of the tour. It gives everyone perspective of the amazing adventure they are part of. Thanks, Morris, for this and for being right up there on the fundraising leaderboard and doing such a good marshalling job.

·       Phiwe Salukazana

MVP Day 4. Phiwe only contacted us a few months before the tour. He had just returned from China and had a lot of work to do. He needed a bicycle, he needed to get fit, and he needed to raise the requisite funds. He did most of this. He did need more time for fitness and no doubt learned a lot from the tour. He has an engaging personality and often caused fits of laughter. He will no doubt be back again.

·       Sigqibo Sishuba

MVP Day 1. One of the stars of the show. He helped, he marshalled, he looked after the Goodie Box. He was everywhere. He generally rode at the back to support those struggling and to keep an eye on the Parlotone. He was an indispensable member of the team; he stole my bicycle! Gained Legends* status for having his money in first in a tie with Ale.

·       Siliziwe Mafika

Sili was the strong silent executive on tour. He constantly kept an eye on things and made sure we were on the right track and on time. He retained his title as the Puncher** King of the 1965Ride with four punchers this year. Only Tony gave him any competition.

He rightfully and appropriately earned his Legends status this year with five tours under his belt which means has ridden over 4000 kms in the past 5 years just on the tour. And probably more than double that training for it! You are a Champ Sili. It was great to have Pulane with us for most of the journey and she proved to be an invaluable member of the support team!

·       Lungisa Tshele

On his third tour was a strength and force in many ways. He brings a surge of positive energy and outlook, an ever-friendly demeanor and is an extremely strong cyclist. He is now one of only three to have completed the tour on a mountain bike. It was also great to have the Tshele family of ladies with us for the whole tour. The girls entertained us with their energetic interaction with Ale at every chance available.

*Legend Status = Cyclist who either gets sponsorship in the bank first and/or completes the 1965Ride Tour 5 times.

** Punchers are punctures.

2025 Parlotone Stats

Total 15 year Tour Statistics:

It has been an incredible decade and a half.  It’s been exhilarating, fulfilling and life-changing.  Thanks to everyone who made it happen!

Adieu

Tony

Ø  Legends, bursars, cyclists, support and medics