182km on two wheels

FOR most people, attending a national event means planning transport, making arrangements, and arriving with relative ease. For Gilbert Habani, a 49-year-old cyclist from Plumtree, it meant something entirely different — it meant getting on his bicycle and riding through the night.

When Matabeleland South hosted the 46th national Independence Celebrations at Maphisa Stadium in Matobo district, missing it was never something he considered. The occasion was too important, too significant to watch from a distance. So he decided, without fuss, that he would make his own way there.

Habani cycled alone for 182 kilometres to reach Maphisa, a journey that demanded both endurance and focus. He set off on 17 April 2026 at around 6pm, leaving Plumtree as the light faded, and kept going into the night. By the time the clock struck midnight, he had arrived, quietly folding into the crowd of citizens gathered to mark the national event.

Looking back on the journey, he speaks of it almost casually. There were no major setbacks along the way, no dramatic hurdles to overcome. The road held, and so did he. The only real challenge came later, on the return trip, when he had to deal with a flat tyre.

Cycling is not something new to Habani. It is something that has been part of his life for decades, long before it became something he pursued more seriously. What began as a simple pastime slowly grew into something more.

“I started cycling in 1994 here in Plumtree. I was just doing it as a hobby. I started entering races in 2018, from Ngwana to Chicken King – about 30km. I came 5th, and my second race was from Tshitshi to Plumtree High School,” said Habani.

Those early races marked a shift — from riding for enjoyment to testing himself against others. The distances may have been modest at first, but the desire to push further was already there.

Over time, he did just that. His longest ride stands at 377 kilometres, a demanding stretch from Gwanda to Plumtree and then on to Esilima village in Empandeni. It is the kind of distance that few would attempt, and even fewer would complete, but for him, it sits as part of his journey in the sport.

He has also stepped into more competitive spaces. Habani was among the cyclists who took part in a 352-kilometre race from Norton to Mimosa as part of the Nedbank Tour de Great Dyke 2025. Alongside Allan “Mr G” Gama and Ezekiel Munyamani, he joined more than 90 cyclists from around the country.

Together, they represented Plumtree — not as a major cycling hub, but as a town with its own passion and determination.

That shared experience led to something more permanent. In January 2026, Habani and his fellow riders decided to formalise their efforts by forming the Plumtree Cycle Club. What started as a small group has grown to include twenty participants, all drawn together by the same interest.

“We have formed our club for cyclists, but we haven’t assigned positions to each other yet. We still need to select committee members,” said Habani.

It is still finding its feet, still figuring out structure and leadership, but the intention is clear — to build something that can grow and bring more people into the sport.

Like many grassroots efforts, however, the biggest challenge is not enthusiasm, but resources. Habani is open about the limitations they face, particularly when it comes to equipment.

“My challenge is with bicycles – they are not up to standard. We need to upgrade so that we can be competitive with other peers. We have lost so many matches due to poor and lack of accessories.”

It is a reality that sits heavily on many local athletes — the gap between ability and access. Still, it has not stopped him. If anything, it has made the commitment more visible.

That long ride to Maphisa was not just about distance or endurance. It was about being part of something bigger, about showing up in the only way he knew how. And for Habani, that was reason enough to keep pedalling.