Whatshot
uBhejane Xtreme riders conquer exhausting task for rhinos
uBhejane Xtreme riders conquer exhausting task for rhinos
The pain, agony and suffering throughout the course of their 16-hour long day in the saddle was soon erased on their arrival at Hilltop Camp in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve shortly before nightfall on Saturday and replaced by a mixture of jubilation, relief and a tremendous sense of achievement.
Starting in the dark at 2am and finishing in the day's dwindling light at 6pm, the encounter's gruelling 340km Long Horn event from Cadence Cycling Performance Centre in Hillcrest to the Zululand venue challenged participants' physical and mental toughness like few others.
The day's programme of endurance cycling also included a 240km Short Horn option as the event sought to raise vital festive season funding for Project Rhino KZN's province-wide anti-rhino poaching efforts.
Not ridden as a race but rather a ride, the event concludes with a memorable 35km final stretch through the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve's bushveld, albeit a segment that includes some lung-busting hills at the end of an already brutal day.
"The camaraderie out there amongst everyone was brilliant!" explained international cycling commentator Phil Liggett who, together with his wife Trish, joined Long and Short Horn participants for the last leg to the finish line.
Global mountaineer and adventurer Sibusiso Vilane, like Smit, tackled the Short Horn event as he pushed himself well beyond his previous best of 100km in one sitting
"It was very tough, long day in the saddle, particularly for someone like me who isn't a regular cyclist, but as tough as it was, it was very worth it." said Vilane. "I had a wonderful, supportive group and so it ended up being a team effort."
"We all have a role to play; you don't have to have a certain status to get involved, any ordinary person needs to help be the voice for the voiceless - our animals!.
"The animals need us to talk - even shout - for them and to protect them for our future generations."
Former Sharks rugby player Jeremy Thomson was another to through his weight behind the cause - one very dear to him through his involvement in the Kingsley Holgate Foundation's anti-rhino poaching efforts - as too did seven time Dusi Canoe Marathon winner and regular extreme cyclist and adventurer, Martin Dreyer.
Phil Liggett is on board for next year with possible international Exposure and Riders. It will be one of the World's most challenging Rides. The event raised over R200,000 so far and donations are still coming in for Project Rhino KZN.