Cycling Challenge Chronicles: Swellendam to Bredasdorp, a Test of Resilience

After an enjoyable stay at Reitzhof and a delightful braai organized by Gerhard Uys, the chairman of the Swellendam cycling club, and a hearty breakfast generously sponsored by Bev at the Grace & Mercy, we embarked on the next leg of our cycling journey. The starting point was the Swellendam Historical Drosdy Museum, where we were welcomed by a warm reception from the local community.


Mayor Francois du Rand, Helena de Jager, and Anja Smith, the museum curator, greeted us with open arms. Handshakes were exchanged, and words of encouragement set the tone for the day. Gershan Jansen from the traffic department and his efficient team of traffic officers joined us to lead the way out of town, ensuring our safety on the road.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Lynita Stander and Charl Bernard from Spar for providing a scrumptious lunch and refreshing beverages, thoughtfully packed for the riders. It was a welcome treat on this challenging day.
The first 14 kilometers led us out of town with a slight 3-5% gradient, which proved to be quite demanding on our still-cold legs. As the day progressed, it became evident that cycling from east to west on the N2 meant facing the full force of the southwesterly winds head-on.
Riding alongside Vussi, Pieter, and myself, we could all feel the effects of the previous two days of battling against the wind in our arms and legs. A big thank you to Morne & Roulof and the members of the Swellendam cycling club who joined us for the first part of the journey. The camaraderie and conversation helped distract our minds from the relentless wind.


Upon reaching the turn-off to Bredasdorp, we felt like we had hit a metaphorical wall as we turned directly into the relentless wind. We had hoped for a mostly downhill route, but the undulating hills of the Overberg served as a stark reminder that there’s no such thing as a flat road under human power.
This 74-kilometer stretch against the wind, with an 803-meter altitude gain, was undoubtedly a mental challenge. Vussi’s determination and resilience shone brightly on this day. Not once did he utter a complaint or a word of giving up. There was no sign of negativity or despair—just a relentless determination to keep pushing forward kilometer after kilometer.
The kilometers seemed to pass by agonizingly slowly as the day unfolded, with a strong 50-kilometer-per-hour wind now battering us from the southwest. The hills became steeper and longer, prompting well-deserved breaks every 25 kilometers. Our support team, Inge and Thami, made these stops extra special with warm coffee and delectable snacks supplied by Spar Swellendam.
Finally, just over 5 hours in the saddle and an average speed of 14 kilometers per hour, we rode into Bredasdorp with a sense of relief and a few lingering pains. This day will be etched in our memories as a testament to the belief that tough times never last, but tough people do.
As we reflect on this challenging day, we are reminded of the power of determination, camaraderie, and the unwavering support of our community and sponsors. Tomorrow brings a new day and new challenges, but we are ready to face them head-on, just as we did today.
Stay tuned for the next leg of our cycling adventure as we continue to explore the beauty of the Overberg region and test the limits of our resilience. Our sincere thank you to Sonia Diaz from Places Unknown for all the hard work behind the scene.


