No guts, no glory.

‘No guts, no glory. No legend, no story.’
This is but one of the messages of support and encouragement from friends and family of Race Across South Africa (RASA) Freedom Challenge mountain biker, Werner Nienaber.
Werner is relentlessly edging towards his goal to complete the murderous 2 300km journey from Pietermaritzburg to Wellington, come hell or high water.
A veteran adventurer with several endurance challenges under the belt, the co-founder of the ABLE Early Intervention Centre for Children on the Autism Spectrum, is hoping to raise funds to extend the facility owing to a critical demand and limited space.
Since departing from KZN last Saturday, Werner has peddled 580km to Slaapkranz where he stopped for a well-deserved overnight on Thursday.
Despite racing against time, Werner waited for three riders who lost their way on day five, to help them over the mountain pass.
In the mountains, he weathered snow, stormy winds, a fall and an injured hand.
It was his second fall, after breaking his frame on day two.
At Rhodes, the unassisted riders could not get any food because of the public holiday and were forced to push to Chesneywold without any sustenance.
Werner’s wife, Eliza, says it was at this low point that one of the riders pulled out after suffering heart palpitations.
Werner is one of 24 riders brave enough to tackle the route.

Solo ride
It is not the first time the ABLE Centre will benefit from almost superhuman feats.
The original building was brought into existence by the Nomakanjani Ninjas – an ordinary group of friends with no canoe experience, who paddled against all odds from Kosi Bay to Richards Bay, managing to raise enough funds to start the crucially needed centre.
Although riding solo, Werner is supported and encouraged by the ABLE Freedom Challenge Whatsapp chat, where he is encouraged and jostled.
He is sponsored by DMV Consultants, Alpha Panelbeaters, Meerensee Veterinary Clinic and private sponsors.
His progress can be tracked at https://www.freedomchallenge.org.za.