12/06/2026
The War Stories - Zweli at the Standard Bank Berg&Bush 2026 Edition
So, I recently took part in the Standard Bank Berg & Bush, a three-day mountain biking event.
Sadly, I did not finish.
I picked up an injury on the first day, and although I tried to manage it and continue, it eventually became clear that I had to withdraw from the race.
Not exactly the ending I had hoped for.
But life has a funny way of teaching you lessons when you are least prepared to receive them.
You can train. You can prepare. You can have a plan. But sometimes things happen that you simply cannot control. And when they do, you are reminded that we are not always in control of the outcome — only how we respond to it.
The Stoics say we should focus on what we can control and accept what we cannot. That lesson hit differently while sitting injured on a mountain, knowing the race was over for me.
But even in the disappointment, there was so much to be grateful for.
My wife was there supporting me, and that made all the difference. The doctors at the event were amazing. The logistics team handled everything so well, including getting me safely from the top of the mountain to the clinic. The event itself was incredibly well organised, and I got to meet some wonderful people along the way.
So yes, I did not finish the race.
But I still walked away with gratitude.
Gratitude for the opportunity to participate.
Gratitude for the people who helped me.
Gratitude for the support of my wife.
Gratitude for the reminder that sometimes life is not about the finish line, but about what you learn when things do not go according to plan.
We prepare for the race we expect.
But sometimes life gives us a different race altogether.
And in those moments, we learn who we are.
