CYCLING for 100 days continuously – covering 100km per day – was the challenge Johan Oosthuizen tackled to deal with the loss of his beloved mother. In completing this challenge last Sunday, he not only was physically and emotionally stronger, but also was crowned new world record holder of this endurance challenge.
“I have completed the distance but have not stopped cycling. Cycling is part of my daily existence; I may just as well continue and do 365 days of cycling covering 100 km a day,” said Johan Oosthuizen from Uitenhage.
Russel Kelsey from London during June 2020 set a world record cycling 100km a day for 100 days. He called it a virtual race across America. Johan bettered the record covering 100km on a day for 101 days.
Johan’s sister, Beulah DePasquale from New Jersey in USA wrote the following about her brother on Facebook: “Johan and I lost our mom on New Year’s Day and had to deal with a level of grief, loss, and shock we didn’t anticipate. He decided to take on a world record challenge to deal with this grief and to make himself physically and emotionally stronger.
“This would mean he had to get up every morning at 03:30 for 100 days, rain or shine, weekend or not. He committed to cycle 100 days for 100km continuously. No stop or pause in these 100 days was allowed because that would mean he had to start from scratch. The goal – totalling a cycle challenge of 10 000km+ and over 444 hour of cycling done and dusted. On 1 May 2021, Johan rode into this new world record, with hundreds of people supporting him in his hometown, and as if that was not enough – he opted to double this record with another 100 days!
“I admire you, my brother. I love you and respect you. I could not be happier with the blessing of being closer to you and your family. Ronelle Oosthuizen and the amazing sponsors and friends in South Africa, you are the rock stars behind the scenes. Dealing with the many early morning starts, feeding him all the right stuff, and just being so supportive! Congratulations!”
‘Learn to rest – not to quit’
Johan, a regional manager at Monster Energy, has not only won numerous awards for his outstanding performances in the corporate world, but has also become a hero among his colleagues, especially for his involvement in charity work through Fuel on Wheels. So much so that a Monster film crew currently stays with the Oosthuizen family in Uitenhage, filming the inspirational story of his life.
“My inspiration is energised through the memories of my late mother Mary-Ann Oosthuizen. A few days before she passed on, she said to me, ‘Remember these three aspects of life … blood, sweat and respect, the first two you give, the last one you earn.’ She also told me to learn to rest, not to quit. Memories like these motivates me to do what I do and I love it,” said Johan.
“I wish to thank all from Uitenhage and Despatch who through all my endurance challenges always have been there to support me. It would not have been possible to achieve what I have without the support of these people; therefore, I salute each one. They know who they are.
“It is not about what I have achieved, but my achievements make it possible to continue supporting the food parcel project with which Fuel on Wheels are able to feed thousands of people. This is what life is about, to give,” said Johan.
Cycle around the world?
For Mr Incredible, a challenge is not a challenge if it does not bring along another challenge. With the likes of Johan Oosthuizen’s track record – after completing the 100km a day for 365 days covering 36 500km – he will be only 3 575km short of cycling around the world.
This might spark his next challenge to cover the full 40 075km around the world and set another world record!
