Tale of a two-wheeler
FANCY cycling from Chipinge to Mutare?
Not to mention riding an old-fashioned bicycle which was commonly referred to as “sports bike” in years gone by!
Well, if this sounds too daunting and morale-sapping, then one needs to listen to the story of the elderly Mr Farai Makaza of Emerald Section in Mt Selinda, Chipinge.
The senior citizen embarked on the journey of approximately 190km on his two wheeler and it was no Herculean mission for him.
He completed the trip in two days. That this is not an everyday occurrence makes his accomplishment of the feat quite interesting.
“I have gotten used to doing this over the years and grown accustomed travelling most of my journeys on this bicycle, especially across my home district of Chipinge,” said Mr Makaza with a gentle tap on the handles of his bicycle as if to admire it.
By the way, do they still make the “sports bike” that strong these days? Or it simply takes the cyclist’s iron-willed spirit to take such extraordinary rides.
But just how did he manage to pull this off without any qualms?
Where some have cycled for charity, Mr Makaza rode for a worthy cause; at least by his book.
He was not after beating any set record, nor was he out to better his own previous personal best. Mr Makaza simply wanted to share a story with Manicaland Province’s leading and favourite family newspaper – The Manica Post.
He had a bone to chew with his employers back in the farming town, where unfair labour practices were the order of the day at a farm that once employed him.
Fellow workers teamed up against him to curry favour with the bosses, so he claims.
He said after being injured while on duty, he was denied medical attention. Sadly, seeking treatment at the hospital eventually cost him his job without any compensation, he added.
But that is a story for another day which will appear on our pages in due course; today’s story is about the audacious trek he undertook.
Perhaps the fact that he had an axe to grind with his employers propelled his impetus to cycle all the way from Chipinge to Mutare to vent out his pent-up emotions.
So one Sunday morning before the sun had kissed the horizon on the east, Mr Makaza set out on his excursion.
“I left my place on a Sunday just before 5am, heading towards Mutare. This distance by bicycle did not put me off because the errands I go on while in Chipinge are several that they may approximate to what I have just covered,” said Mr Makaza as he checked whether the package bundled on his carrier was still firmly secured.
After having covered over half of the journey, Mr Makaza had a stop-over in Chakohwa.
He put up there for the night. About 60km shy of reaching his destination, he resumed the trip around 4.30am the next morning. On Monday, Mr Makaza touched down in Mutare. The clock had struck 4pm.
He sought sanctuary at Mutare Central Police Station before getting down to the business that had brought him to town the following day.
We hooked up with him on Tuesday morning.
It is amazing what lengths — or is it distance — that some
people can go in pursuit of a certain goal.
Mr Makaza’s ride is testament that with determination, nothing can hold one back.
And where does he derive such endurance to withstand the rigours that come and go with such a ride?
Had he ever participated in cycling competitions before?
He explained: “I eat healthy food; traditional and organic foods are my favourite. I am particular about what I take and prefer our indigenous diet because that is what we grew up on.”
He laughed off the inquiry that he must have been a professional cyclist before.
Mr Makaza said cycling has actually become a form of exercise for him.
Working in his garden and the fields has also kept him fit and in shape, he added.
“I am not a lazybones fellow and never allow myself to idle around. Working on the fields and regularly maintaining my homestead keeps me occupied,” he said.
“I arrived in town around four in the afternoon. I went straight to Mutare Central Police Station and spent the night there before freshening up this morning. I have come here at The Manica Post offices to share my story with you,” said Mr Makaza.
He might have been overtaken by cars and buses – the preferred modes of transport for some – along the way, but he rode on until he reached his destination.
Mr Makaza might have huffed and puffed along the way on his journey, but finally it was mission accomplished.
He told his story, and he cycled back to Chipinge a happy man.
After reading this inspirational story, we may not be surprised to see folks cycling around the city as they run their daily errands.
Who needs a car or bus to travel from Chipinge to Mutare when they have a bicycle that serves the purpose very well?