Blog written by Lord Lunga Dunga and Sigqibo Sishuba:

There’s something about saying, “We’re cycling from Johannesburg to Komani” that sounds heroic… until you actually get on the bike. Then it becomes a mix of determination, sore legs, questionable decisions, and moments you’ll laugh about for years.

The 1965 Ride isn’t just about covering distance — it’s about purpose. We ride to raise funds for educational bursaries, to create opportunities for young people who deserve a chance. But along the way, it turns out we’re also collecting stories… some inspiring, some hilarious, and some just downright unbelievable.

-Breakfast Club (or Lack Thereof)

We woke up to a bit of a chilly morning and we were served with a delicious breakfast as always. Of course, no team is complete without that one guy and that one guy is Cwenga, who made sure we stayed humble right from the start by rocking up late for breakfast. While the rest of us were fuelling up like professionals, he was operating on vibes and urgency.

To his credit, though, he still rode. Questionable strategy — but admirable commitment.

-The Final Stretch (Came Early for Some of Us)

Even before we get to the end, some moments deserve to be moved up the list.

By the last 12km, things got real.

Sigqibo’s legs were finished, his energy was gone, and it looked his dreams had narrowed down to one very specific goal: an ice-cold beer. Nothing else mattered.

But that’s when I observed Sili stepping in with what sounded like a noble idea — “Let’s go help Uncle Tony up the hill.”

Motivated and slightly misled, they pushed up… but only to find Sili at the top playing music and not helping at all.
Leadership comes in many forms… this was definitely one of them.

-Wildlife Encounters & Other Surprises

At some point on the road, some casually spotted what looked like a cheeter. Now, whether it was actually a cheetah or just a very athletic cat is still up for debate — but in that moment, let’s just say everyone pedalled a little faster,
Because nothing improves your average speed like the possibility of being chased.

-The Art of Multitasking

Cycling long distances teaches you many things — patience, resilience, and apparently… creativity.

Dean, however, took things to another level. During one of our roadside stops, he managed to take a photo of Lord Dunga while he was on a loo break in the wild.

Let’s just say… some moments are meant to stay in the veld.

-Punctures, Pride & Proving Points

Mechanical issues are part of the game, but sometimes they turn into personal challenges.
Ta Morra got a second puncture of the tour. In that moment, Sigqibo saw an opportunity, not just to help, but to prove a point. Under pressure, with an audience, I stepped in and changed that tyre in under two minutes.

Was it necessary? Maybe not.
Was it satisfying? Absolutely.

-Support Crew Shenanigans

Now, every great ride depends on a support team… but ours likes to keep things interesting.

At one of our final breaks, the support vehicle decided to stop right on a curve. While they probably thought it was convenient, the cyclists had other opinions — mostly involving words like “Why here?” and “Seriously?”

Let’s just say communication is still a work in progress.

-The Finish Line Feeling

Despite everything — the fatigue, the punctures, the unexpected wildlife, a local BMX briefly joined the Peloton into town.

-Why We Ride

The 1965 Ride is more than a cycling tour, It’s about giving forward, investing in education, and making sure that the deserving children have access to opportunities transform their lives.
So every pedal stroke, every hill, every laughter along the way — it all contributes to something bigger than us.

-Final Thoughts

Through it all — the laughs, the struggles, the small victories and the long climbs — one thing stands clear:

We start as a team, we finish as a team, and we never leave anyone behind for as long as we can keep pedalling all the way to Komani and realise our mission.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about getting there.