On June 8th Sunday 1913 I witnessed a competition hill climb amongst the members of the Rand Roads Cycling Club Swainspool and Swartz succeeded in mounting the hill, the rest of the competitors failed.
The men rode singly and strange to say Swainspool and Swartz accomplished the 1,066 yards in exactly the same time, viz 6 minutes dead or 14 seconds faster than my own time. I suppose the spirit of the competition had to do with knocking off 14 seconds, but I must say, they rode splendidly. I admired Swartz very much, as he finished exceedingly fresh.
Before retiring from riding, I had it in my mind to make a record by riding from Mulders Drift Hotel to Krugersdorp without stopping; this is a feat I think almost impossible, and will take a man of the calibre of Pete Pretorius of Krugersdorp (who was shot during the war) the strongest rider I ever saw, to accomplish it.
But with work and other things I never had the opportunity, whilst I was fit, and as work in these mines is not conducive to either long life, long wind or strength, I felt disinclined after a while. I rode my last race 9th Nov 1909 at the Caledonian Sports Krugersdorp when I felt I was only a third rater, so gave it up; I was then within a month of 34 years of age.
This after 8 years (13-21) in coal mines at home, and 13 years in the mines of Transvaal.
I gave up the bicycle altogether in September 1912 when I bought a B. S. A. Motor.