Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 95, June 2017 | Page 45

Entries for the 2018
Old Mutual joberg2c
opened on 1 June 20
17 – for more details
go to www.joberg2c.
co.za
TEAM #RIDING4GUGU
L
etshego Zulu and Hlubi Mboya
are now becoming familiar faces
at mountain bike races. For both
ladies, the main reason behind
this was the late Gugu Zulu. He was a
passionate rider, and determined that
everybody around him should join him
for mad adventures on the bike. That
saw both Letshego and Hlubi take on
the Absa Cape Epic, so it seemed only
right that the two should pair up to
ride the 900km joberg2c journey in his
memory.
“Hlubi and I were the perfect
partnership, and we chatted from start
to finish every day,” says Letshego. “No, I lie, Hlubi isn’t a morning person, so it would take her roughly one
hour to warm up! Then we chatted about everything under the sun, we laughed and cried together, and it
was a real jol,” And while both went into the event admittedly under-trained, they were determined that they
would not only finish the race in honour of Gugu, but would ride it like he did, a social extravaganza to be
shared with everyone!
SELFIES AND MORE SELFIES!
When Gugu rode, his followers on
social media would be treated to
many selfies, giving a virtual blow
by blow of his ride by featuring the
beautiful scenery and interesting
people he met. In effect, he took
everyone with on his journeys,
and Letshego was determined that
her joberg2c experience would be
the same. Originally this had been
planned as a ride that she and Gugu
would do together, and so riding
it the way he would have done
made her feel like she still had him
alongside her.
It is therefore understandable that riding the joberg2c not
only meant the world to the quartet, but also inspired them
even more to grow these amazing projects still further!
“Joberg2c has made us realise that we need to improve
our training programmes, and going forward we would
like to see more ladies from Soweto taking part in the
race,” says Bheki, with Master adding, “I learnt a lot as
a developing cyclist – especially from the professionals.”
And when asked what their favourite part of the race was,
all echo with the same answer: “The single track and the
downhills.”
While the experience of being newbies on a stage race
had its ups and downs, the Quartet learnt quickly as they
challenged themselves daily to get through to the sea, and
all four say that they would like to ride it again in 2018.
Apparently the proverbial ‘stage racing bug’ has bitten!
“It was the most beautiful race I have done to date, especially the fact that we took it easy and were able
to stop and take in the views, capturing them with a photo before moving on. Some places were just too
beautiful, so that a photo wouldn’t do them justice,” says Letshego. When asked what it was like to ride like
Gugu, meeting so many different people on the route, she only has good things to report: “It was great just
connecting with people from different backgrounds. One connection that stands out for me was meeting TV
commentator Alec Riddle. He shared with me how he became completely inactive after years of being an
elite athlete, then went back to training really hard and won a Half Ironman race. He is a social athlete now,
working hard to support his talented son’s multi-sport dreams, which is incredibly commendable.”
EMOTIONAL JOURNEY
Letshego’s cycling journey started eight years ago, when Gugu came home two weeks before the 94.7 Cycle
Challenge with two Scott Mountain Bikes and two entries for the race. “I had not ridden a bike in roughly 10
years, but he assured me that my running fitness would get me through, and he would be at my side the
whole way through. It was tough, and we finished just 15 minutes before cut-off,” says Letshego, adding, “it
was my worst cycling experience, but he assured me it would only get better, and true to his word, it did.”
Since his passing, Letshego has started the #Ride4Gugu campaign to keep his name alive in cycling circles,
“because he loved cycling so much,” she says. The aim is to get as many people in their custom-designed kit
and taking Gugu on their rides with them. “The ultimate aim is to grow the campaign and have it supporting
or be part of philanthropic projects,” explains Letshego.
Finishing the race this year, having ridden the whole ride with Gugu on her mind and in her heart, was an
emotional moment for Letshego. “The emotions at the finish line were a mix between sadness of crossing the
finish line without him, because we were supposed to do this together, and the joy of achievement at crossing
the finish line despite the minimal training we had done. We conquered joberg2c for Gugz,” says Letshego.
WHERE TO FROM HERE
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Letshego is set to continue her adventurous lifestyle in 2018. “I
am already working towards the Ironman Championships and the Absa Cape Epic next year. And yes, I am
well aware the two events are only three weeks apart! The training has already started,” she says with her
trademark smile!
Anyone who would like to order #Ride4Gugu cycling kit can e-mail their enquiry to
[e-mail].
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