What a ride! Lessons from the JHB-Sun City Cycling Tour

What a ride! I’m proud to have been one of 100 cyclists who participated in Vukani Cycling Club's annual 180km charity ride from Johannesburg to Sun City this past weekend. This year's ride supported Tswiki Preschool in North West.  

The experience offered me insights and lessons beyond just physical fitness:

Perseverance pays off: Riding between the two provinces was by far one of the most painful but rewarding experiences of my life. Cycling teaches you to keep pedalling even when the road gets rough. You persevere through the potholes (this route has many) and dig deep to conquer each hill. But pushing through the pain leads to progress. On this ride, a key takeaway was that the challenging parts are temporary; if you push through, you will ultimately find your flow.

Set smaller goals to keep you moving forward: Reach the top of the next hill. Make it to the next water stop. Make it through the next 10 seconds. Setting smaller goals helps you stay motivated. This applies to the big ride as much as to the hours of training you put in to prepare for the event.

Ride for a purpose: Having a purpose bigger than yourself can be a guiding light. Our ride aimed to raise funds for Tswiki Preschool in Rustenberg. Early childhood development is a cause that I feel very strongly about. Knowing that the ride was enriching the lives of preschoolers made every pedal and push that much more meaningful. 

Bouncing back with resilience: Cycling has its ups and downs. I recently fell and injured my knee while riding in Cape Town. It happens. I will own that I am not the fittest or the fastest rider, but I am the most persistent. This was my longest ride ever, and I pushed myself despite the setback. In that sense, cycling is a lot like entrepreneurship. You can’t let temporary failures derail your long-term progress.

Mindfulness and presence: Cycling (especially solo rides) is my time with God. Being outdoors can be a meditative experience, forcing you to focus on the present and appreciate your surroundings. The views through Hartbeespoort were magnificent – with the mountain backdrop and winding waterways. It reminded me how lucky we are to have such a landscape in South Africa – another reason to be proudly South African.

It’s always better with a team: Nothing beats the human connection of riding in a group. The infectious team spirit I felt riding with Vukani Cycling Club – the camaraderie, the banter and the positivity – is unmatched. An experienced captain and other cyclists who are as passionate as you are help push you over the finish line. It built my confidence, and the sense of community made the experience more memorable.

Enjoy the journey: Cycling is not just about reaching your destination in the shortest time possible; it's about enjoying the ride. Life is not just about achieving goals; it's about savouring the experiences and being present in the moments (the good ones and the bad ones) that make the journey worthwhile.

Here are highlights of the Sun City Cycling tour on Newzroom Afrika

Fortunately, you don’t have to ride 180km to support Tswiki Preschool. It’s a very worthy cause. 

If you would like to contribute, you can donate school materials or funds for early childhood development. Contact Busisiwe Nteyi, the secretary-general of Vukani Cycling Club, to find out how to donate: info@vukanicycling.co.za

Thank you to Vukani Cycling Club, the tour sponsors and all the generous people who helped make the Sun City annual tour a resounding success! 

Audi Center Newzroom Afrika

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