Blog written by Buhle Manitshana and Bongile “Sir Bongz” Binase:

The day kicked off on a high note with a delicious breakfast at Niki’s – well, mostly. The potatoes had a bit of an identity crisis and showed up as stiff pap rolls, but spirits were high and stomachs were full. Naturally, we had to capture the moment with a team picture outside Niki’s before hitting the road.

Not everything went according to plan though – Buhle had his own “warm-up delay” after forgetting to start his bike computer. A rookie mistake that would come back later in the fines list!
The ride itself wasted no time getting real. On the very first hill, Sigqibo made sure Tony felt properly welcomed… with a push. Not long after, karma came knocking, and Sigqibo picked up the first puncture of the tour.

The route kept us honest – rolling, undulating climbs that demanded effort on the way up and rewarded us with fast, exhilarating descents. In between the grind, coffee stops turned into mini celebrations, complete with dancing and plenty of laughter.

Of course, what’s a tour without a bit of chaos? Morris had his awkward moment grappling Jen’s breast (we’ll call that a balance issue), while Chanelle kept things lively by grabbing people’s bums – just to keep everyone alert, of course.

Tony became the people’s project for the day, with several team members stepping in to help push him up some of the tougher climbs. That’s what this ride is all about – showing up for each other when it counts.
Along the way, we paused for a meaningful moment to acknowledge where a former 1965Ride soldier, Phiwe Salukazana, fell. A reminder of the deeper purpose behind the ride.

Rolling into Reitz felt like a victory parade. We were escorted in style by Lord Dunga, sirens blazing and intersections blocked – it was nothing short of legendary.
For those who still had something left in the tank, the day wasn’t done yet. A few riders chased that perfect round number on Strava, pushing it out to 100km with a brutal climb just outside Poelanie’s Guest House.

Back at the guest house, things slowed down beautifully. Stretching on the lush lawn turned into storytelling – war stories from the road, shared with laughs, and a bit of exaggeration.
Then came a special moment: a surprise “Happy Birthday” for Mrs. Buntu Giyose, complete with cake and smiles all around.
And after that… the “sanitizing” began. Thanks to the ever-reliable Uber Eats service courtesy of Lunga Dunga, refreshments flowed, followed by showers, chats, and more laughter.
Somewhere in between all that, I was forced to watch the Masters at Augusta alone in my room—truly a tough assignment.

Dinner brought everyone back together in a stunning, artistic dining room filled with antiques and beautiful scenery. Not everyone made it on time, though, which sparked a lively (and slightly controversial) debate.

Still, the meal was enjoyed, and awards were handed out:
Rider of the Day: Sigqibo Sishuba (awarded by Yanga Giyose)
Fines of the Day: Coordinated by Buhle Manitshana
And of course… What’s the stats with Ta Moooorra!
Dessert followed, because no proper day ends without it.

We wrapped up the evening with a briefing for the next leg – from Reitz to Fouriesburg. One thing was certain: it was going to be cold. In fact, the forecast matched exactly the temperature from last year.
Same conditions. Same mission. Same spirit.
And just like that, another unforgettable day in the books.