Plantation resident John Goddard (58) was recently left a very satisfied man when he finally completed one of his life’s goals, which was to complete the 1 000 Miler from Thaba Trails in Johannesburg to Bloubergstrand in Cape Town on his third attempt.
The annual cycle adventure, which included 18 riders in total, saw half the number of starters finish, with Goddard finishing seventh and nine withdrawing, something the local cycling lover is too familiar with.
“This was actually my third attempt after being stopped by bad weather in Sutherland twice,” he said.
“During my first attempt, the weather caught me and I was advised not to continue by the race organisers. My wife and daughter flew from Australia to fetch me.
“During my second attempt, I wanted to rectify my first attempt. This time, unlike the first time, I had two other guys I didn’t really know ride with me, but again got stopped by bad weather in Sutherland. The organisers themselves came to fetch us,” explained Goddard, who trains throughout the year.
Riders are given nine days and seven hours to complete the adventure.
Goddard did it in seven days, 11 hours and 48 minutes.
The adventure is organised by Massive Adventures and Tours.
“I feel proud about myself,” explained Goddard. “I’ve achieved the goal I’ve always wanted to achieve, it’s now done, I’m not doing it again,” said the father to a daughter and a son.
Quizzed on the incentives on offer for the top finishers, Goddard further explained: “You get nothing, it’s all about self-reward and pushing yourself to your limits.”
Goddard’s kilometre reading on his bike after the race was little over 1 600.
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