Rodney Rimmell (85) has demonstrated that age is just a number after completing his 16th consecutive Ride Joburg 94.7 cycling challenge on Sunday, 26 October, despite suffering severe cramping that left him flat on his back for 30 minutes during the race.
Ride Joburg is a 97km gruelling cycling challenge that draws athletes and cycling enthusiasts to Johannesburg annually.
The veteran cyclist shared that his training regimen in preparation for the road race usually covers around 200km per week.
“I enjoy riding and being out in the countryside,” he shared with the PE Express. “On Wednesdays, I join a group of pensioners for a ride, and they do around 40km, but I usually end up doing 60km. During summer, I also race every Saturday with the Master and Ladies Cycling Club.”
However, this year’s race, featuring 1,279 metres of elevation, proved more challenging than usual.
“At approximately 70 kilometres, I cramped in both legs – quads, hamstrings and everything in between,” Rimmell shared. “This had me flat on my back for about 30 minutes, followed by a couple of kilometres at two to four kilometres per hour. But I was determined to finish.”
The cramping episode was a first for the experienced cyclist. “It had never happened before. I wasn’t quite prepared enough. I was just determined to finish. Fortunately, I am mentally strong and able to get up from the floor and keep going.”
Members of the public and fellow cyclists motivated and encouraged Rimmell to keep going.
“The public came to our assistance, and that was fantastic. There are great people who encourage you to just keep going.”
Despite the setbacks, Rimmell remained philosophical about his performance.
“When the results came out, I was placed in the 75 to 79 age group, although I am 85, but still managed to finish 12th out of 22 and beat 3,400-odd riders overall. I’m quite happy with the result – I always try to see the positive side of what could have been a total disaster.”
The 16th consecutive completion represents a significant achievement, with only one year missed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I don’t think there are so many of us, at my age, who have done as many as that. It is quite an achievement.”
Rimmell, who is originally from Johannesburg and has been living in Gqeberha for nine years, started his cycling journey later in life, after his retirement.
“I retired in the early 1970s, and then my children got the idea that I should start cycling again. At 69, I took up cycling once more, and my children entered me into the Ride Joburg challenge for the first time, and that was sixteen years ago. I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Rimmell, who also pursues art at his retirement village, offered advice to aspiring cyclists: “Never give up, keep on trying. Go out there and do your best. Get into a cycling club and do some racing in between.”
The experienced cyclist is already looking ahead to his next ride: “Now to start training for number 17.”
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