User:Wernher.oberholzer/sandbox

Dries Oberholzer was born on 24 January 1941 in Viljoensdrif Orange Free State. As a young child the Oberholzer family relocated to Petit where he grew up on a small holding. While attending primary and high school Dries excelled in various sports, Rugby, Cricket and during standard 5 started boxing. After completing st 8 he decided he wanted to join the Navy at age 15. His father Mr Jan Oberholzer signed the documents and Dries started his training in the Navy at Simon’s town as well as his apprentice ship as Electrician. During his three and a half years in the Navy he excelled in Swimming won numerous competitions, Taking part in his first cross country all forces event he set a new record and won the event two more times. In Boxing Dries won numerous fights, in the various tournaments that he took part in. In so doing became all forces Middle Weight Champion. Most of his fights ended in a Knock out or Technical Knockout.

After completing his Electrical Apprentice ship Dries left the Navy and started working for the Municipality in Benoni as Electrician. At the time he was also experiencing headaches from the years of boxing and decided it was time to change sports. Dries also met Dottie Vosloo in 1962 they fell in love and got married. Dries had two children with Dottie a daughter Dedrei born in 1963 and a son Anton Born in 1965. Dottie supported him tremendously over the years they were married, she knew cycling was very important to him and obtaining his Springbok colours. After their marriage they left for their Honeymoon, Dries took his bicycle with and trained every day and competed in various events in Durban. A good friend of his Baba Opperman sold Dries his first bicycle. After cycling for a while Dries sold the bicycle. Baba his friend was very upset and Dries thought to make up for it; he will accompany Baba to Krugersdorp to watch the cycling test between South Africa and Holland. This was the time that things got serious for Dries. Watching Mike Pain the Springbok in action was the deciding factor to take up cycling seriously. Dries considered Mike Pain his Hero. Dries bought a bicycle and started training. This was in 1962 at age 21. As stated in newspaper interviews later that it was very tough in the beginning for him and progress was slow over the first few years to get to the top level of the sport witch he reached in 1967. In 1963 Dries and Baba Opperman his very good friend completed a long distance training ride, from Benoni to Rhodesia and back. They also entered the road race there over a distance of 482 km from Salisbury to Bulawayo. After their return to Benoni. Dries broke the 100 mile road time trial South African Record. The record that was held by S Stevenson at the time was 4 Hours 27 Min and 43 seconds. Dries new record was 4 Hours 23 min and 27 seconds. The record was still unbeaten in 1971. During 1963 up to 1966 Dries rode to build himself up to the Champion he would become. He was Southern Transvaal league champion in 1966 and 1967. In 1967 at age 26 years Dries was in great form and for the next three years Dries was selected to represent Southern Transvaal every year the other three riders selected were Mike Payne, Eddie King and Clive Mego all Springboks. In February 1967 Dries registered the third best time at the Maritz burg Grand Prix in 17 Years. His time was 12, 4 seconds over the 200 meter Sprint. Dries won the Greytown 100 mile road race in March. At the end of the year Dries placed third overall in the 4000 meter pursuit on the track at the South African championships. Out of the Nine Major road races in South Africa Dries won Eight. On the track Dries and Mike Payne was head to head pushing each other the whole season, Sometimes Dries won and Sometimes Mike Payne won. What a great year for Dries In February of 1968 Dries had an operation to remove a sist and damaged Catlige from his knee. Doctors at the time thought his competitive cycling days were over. Ten days later he was competing again and a few weeks later hit top form. The doctors were astounded at his regenerative powers. At the time Drieses name was mentioned in cycling federation meetings to possibly represent South Africa at the Olympic Games in Mexico, and that means Springbok Colours. Everything Dries dreamed of achieving. Unfortunately it was not meant to be, while training from his smallholding in petit on his way to work at the Benoni municipality, Dries was involved in a very serious accident that almost cost him his life. The accident happened on Second Street, neer the intersection with Tenth Avenue, Northmead Benoni on the morning of 26 March 1968. It had rained and his front wheel got stuck in a pothole full of water and dislodged from the bicycle frame. Dries was flung from his bicycle and fell on his face breaking his jaw, nose, lost many teeth and sustained trauma to his brain. Luckily a lady living close by saw what happened and phoned the Ambulance for assistance. Dries was rushed to Boksburg Benoni hospital on conscious and in critical condition. He was later transferred to Johannesburg Hospital. He was on the critical list for a number of days, and on conscious for Eleven Days. Doctors and specialists said the possibility for Dries to recover from the accident was slim. He was supported throughout his ordeal by all family members and his Wife Dottie constantly by his side. A few weeks later Dries were discharged from hospital. It was established that he had no permanent brain damage. He was unable to stand or walk unassisted at the time, being off balance. His comeback to competitive cycling was painful. Exercising at home with the support of his wife Dottie and family he slowly but surely got stronger. Dries was riding for Northern Wheelers cycling club at the time. Management (Mr Corrie Post) organised a meeting and they decided to collect money on his behalf to assist Dries with hospital bills. Very nice gesture from management. Dries could only get back on his bicycle after four months. By September he was able to compete again. While attending a track cycling meeting in Port Elizabeth he decided to cycle back to Benoni to build up his stamina, a distance of 700 miles. Dries completed the ride in three and a halve days. At a Southern Transvaal league meeting at Hector Norris Park soon after completing the ride from PE Dries placed first in the point to point race. In the Devil take the hindmost event from nineteen starters Dries finished second just behind Mike Payne. Chris Harvey placed third. In the three mile race Chris Harvey won, a close second was Mike Payne and Dries placed third. One week after the track meeting Dries competed at the mass start Lenz road race circuit over 50 miles. After breaking away at the 40 mile mark he was closely followed by Nicky Groblaar and Theo Mienie. Dries won in a time of 1 hour 50 min and 18 seconds. That was a hat trick for Dries. He received a tremendous ovation from the crowd. Nicky Groblaar finished second and Theo Mienie a close third in the sprint. The next day Dries cycled to Johannesburg to take part in a inter club meeting. On arrival the race had already started. But instead of giving up hope he went on to the track came under starting orders, and set off after the field. After a few laps Dries caught the field but then disaster struck. On the last lap his back wheel slipped out from under him he fell and injuring his left leg. The race was won by Guy Ferriman followed by Jimmy Swift and Micheal Kerry all of whom were members of the Northern Wheelers Cub.

During the early part 1969 Dries was in superb form. Winning or placing well in various races he entered. Riding very aggressively led to a few suspensions. A good friend made a joke with Dries the one day telling him that he has a lot of stamina and guts, but there exist a World Record that he think is unbeatable. He informed Dries about the 100 Hour Non-Stop Endurance Record. It was held by a gentleman from Yugoslavia. Dries started his preparation to attempt breaking the world record for the Children’s Christmas Fund Charity. During a track meeting on 6 December1969 Dries took part in the 4000 meter individual pursuit witch he won in style. After completing the race Dottie informed him of the triadic news that his father had unfortunately passed away from cancer in Boksburg Benoni hospital. His father Mr Jan Oberholzer had been very ill for three years, suffering from Cancer. Dries withdrew from competition immediately; he left for Benoni with his wife Dottie to support his mother Tina and family members with this tragic event. Everything was organised on time for Dries to start his record breaking attempt at the Hector Norris Park Track in Johannesburg on 15 December 1969 at midnight his target was to cycle for 111 hours finishing on 20 December at 03 PM. Tents were set up in the middle of the track for the officials and all involved with assisting Dries. There was a caravan for his Wife Dottie. Rudy Kuipers and Corry Post assisted Dries throughout His Record Attempt. Dries told reporters he felt very good, as he started his attempt at the World Record. He had Tremendous Support throughout from, Friends, Club Team Mates and Family. Dottie spent every night at the track after work supporting Dries. His friends and fellow competitors like for instance Alan van Heerden and many other well-known cyclists would ride with him on the track from time to time, keeping him company. Dries had a transistor radio with him on the bicycle so he could listen to music and crank the thing up when he felt tired. Concerning the rules for this record. Dries was allowed to stop for a short break after a certain amount of hours. But he never did. When changing bicycles or when he required a nature break he was lifted off the bicycle, his feet never touched the ground. Dries had to endure Fatigue, Rain, Wind, and Cold and Hot Weather, Boredom, Hallucinations and Depression during his ordeal. Friends advised him to use sheepskin and fillet steak to help when he got saddle sores and blisters on his hands. Very good advice Dries told reporters later. After completing 108 hours Dries was Hallucinating allot and he almost stopped. Friends of Dries told him that he was participating in a very big race against all the top Springboks of the country. Dries kept on going. As he started his Final lap of the track the crowd of plus minus 4 000 people applauded him tremendously. Dries started sprinting and his time over the last 200 meters was 12 seconds this after 111 Hours. He later stated that he thought he saw a well-known Springbok Cyclist and he just wanted to beat him to the finish line. The people who came to watch Dries finish his endurance world record ride, through money on to the track. All the money including a percentage from the admission fees went to the Children’s Christmas fund charity. As soon as his ordeal was over Dries was examined by Doctors present, he lost only nine pounds in weight, and his pulse rate was 104 beats per minute. It was calculated that he would have completed plus minus 6 000 laps of the track and a distance of plus minus 1 700 miles. His legs would have pedalled more than a halve a million times. Dries slept for only Ten Hours to Refresh Himself. What a great achievement for 1969.

In 1970 Dries struggled to get his form back after he broke the world record. It was suggested that he lay off cycling a few months but he didn’t. Dries entered various races placed well in some events, but for the majority of the year he struggled. His form only improved from mid-November the year.

At age 30 Dries was a power house. Was already known at the time as the Bomb of Benoni. Dries won many races in 1971. He was awarded Springbok colours early the year and was chosen to represent South Africa in Angola for a twelve day road race against teams from Portugal and Britain. Dries finished seventh overall. He had a bad fall on the twelve stage when his bicycles fork broke. Dries was taken to hospital after receiving artificial respiration. Returning to Benoni he took part in the Festival games in May where he won the 4000 meter pursuit his speciality in style. Of the eight Southern Transvaal cycling teams selected in 1971. Dries was a member of seven. To end the year Dries won the 50 lap Madison at the Johannesburg Grand Prix for the third successive year. Dries also won the Sportsman of the year award for 1971. Dries admitted in an interview with newspaper reporters that his best year in cycling to date was 1971.

Very interesting year for Dries in 1972. He captained the Southern Transvaal team in April winning the Carlton Shield. Dries decided to retire as he thought he reached his peak in cycling and he was getting on in age. There was a competition held at the time the winning ticket was a trip to Munich to attend the Olympic Games for a month. Dries made a deal with his team mates and club members, that if anyone of them win the ticket and cannot attend the games, he wants first option to buy the ticket. As it turned out a Club member did win the competition, unfortunately he could not attend for various business reasons and Dries bought the ticket from him. South Africa was not allowed to compete at the Olympic Games, because of the political situation in the country at the time. Dries left for Munich with his Bicycle and met up with a friend from Holland at the Olympic Games. The gentleman organised a Holland Team track suit for Dries. He was then able to move around with the Holland team where ever he wanted. Gaining experience from them and watching the cycling and other sporting events from the best seats in the stadium. Dries partook in specialized training sessions with the American Cycling Team in so doing gaining valuable experience. They included a lot of weight training to improve upper body and leg strength. Most cyclists did not, do weight training at the time. Returning home from the Olympic Games Dries implemented what he learned. He appeared in local Cinemas cycling on rollers for charity. This was part of a Promotional Campaign for the Lions International. Dries won many races in style after returning from Munich. Proving that he was without doubt one of the best cyclists in the country.

In 1973 Dries was at his peak and in devastating form. Dries age 32 at the time. Bettered Seven South African Records during the year. Dries went to Bloemfontein with one purpose in mind to rewrite Five South African Records. The 5Km, 10Km, 20Km, 40Km and prestigious Hour Record. In near perfect condition he did just that. Dries who at the time was riding on a pair of wheels that belonged to Jacque Anquetil did the 5 Km in 6 min 18 seconds. 11.3 seconds faster. The 10 Km in 13 min 1 second. 20.9 seconds faster. The 20 Km in 26.54. 16.4 seconds faster. The 40 Km in 54.14. 10 seconds faster. Dries covered 44 Km 190.27 meters in one hour. New record 7.2 meters further. During the year Dries Captained Southern Transvaal to 6 title wins. Dries also broke the Games 40 Km record held by Leonard van Onselen at the time. Dries bettered the record by 1 min 12 seconds. During 1973 Dries made two attempts at the 4000 meter Individual Pursuit South African record witch was his speciality on the track. The long standing record was held by his hero Mike Payne in a time of 4 min 59.2 seconds. Dries did not better the record at the South Africa Games and thereafter but established a personal best time of 5 Min. The last record for Dries in 1973 was Roller Cycling for Charity. Dries covered a distance of 67.8 Km in an hour. He bettered the South African record by 13.8 Km. Dries would have recorded a further distance, if not for the puncture seven minutes before time. This kept him off the rollers, for a good two minutes. Dries was also runner up in the Sportsman of the year competition. The public named Dries the Iron man of Cycling. Another fantastic year in his cycling career.

1974 Dries competed at world champion ships overseas and placed well. During the year Dries did allot for charity as always. Cycling on rollers in Various Parts of the Country. 1975 Dries at 35 years of age were chosen to compete in the Cool Super Sportsman competition where all the best in their respective sports took part. Dries also represented South Africa at World Championships again and Captained Southern Transvaal to many Road and Track event wins during the year. During 1976 Dries was selected for the fifth time to compete overseas at the World Champion Ships. This time as a Veteran. First stop Italy and Germany where he took part in events as a build up to the World Championships in Austria. Had bad luck falling twice and breaking all his wheels in the Belgium tour. Dries missed one event as he was building new wheels for the Championship event in Austria. Dries finished in 30 place out of a field of 187 riders. Drieses best placing at World Road Championships during the years were 19 overhaul. Will update website when I obtain more information from the years 1974 to 1983.

Dries started his own Electrical contracting business in Benoni. It was called Springbok Electrical and I think this was in 1974. He met Fienie Grobelaar at the auditors company that did tax returns for his business. They were later married. She also supported him very well in his cycling over the years. In 1975 Dries was selected to compete in the Cool Super Sportsman Competition. Not sure about the outcome but I can remember there were many different sporting events the various athletes compete in. Swimming, Weightlifting, Gymnastics, Athletics and more. Dries started a cub called Goldfields Cycling Club and got Anton and myself involved in cycling and gym training. This happened in the beginning of 1979. We were 13 years old and in standard six. Dries had very strict rules about training and pushed us to our limits and beyond sometimes. I recall during my schooling at Benoni Technical high Dries came to the school and gave a speeches about Cycling, and encouraged the children to get involved in the sport. A few got involved over the years. We use to have club races regularly over weekends in Putfontain. All of us would cycle to the venue; have the race and cycle back home for training. We also partook in long distance training to build up stamina on some Sundays with Dries, Mr Eddie de beer and Mr Ian Mc Kechnie owner of Pro Cycles in Benoni. Dries also got us involved with track racing at the time. We partook at Hector Norris Park in Johannesburg and Pildich in Pretoria with Dries at various track days during the time. Dries also guided us with our futures to become Electricians. In the early eighties Dries bought a holiday resort called Summit Lodge in Graskop. He relocated there with his wife Fienie Grobelaar. Dries did not cycle competitively after relocating I think in 1984. Dries and his wife Fienie upgraded the resort over a number of years, working very hard and long hours. Dries was involved and assisted the Top-Sport VW Fox Professional Cycling team in South Africa for a while in 1990 and 1991. I am not sure in what capacity. Dries sold Sumit Lodge during the mid-nineties and relocated back to Benoni, where he did Electrical contract work. In 2001 Dries started contract work for a gentleman named Donald Hennessey in Kempton Park. Drieses mother Tina Oberholzer said Donald Hennessey helped Dries tremendously during his last few years. Her words were he is the most wonderful person in the world.

Dries had the opportunity to turn Professional and cycle overseas. He declined the offers, because his Springbok colours meant the world to him. If he accepted the offer it meant relinquish his colours.

Dries was involved in a Serious Accident on 15 September 2003. Knocked off his bicycle by a Taxi, on his way to work in the early hours of the morning. He sustained Head injuries as well as a badly fractured hip and leg. Dries was taken to Thabo Memorial Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately Dries did not recover from his injuries and passed away two weeks later on 29 September 2003. He was visited regularly by family members and Friends. Dries was a fears competitor that always gave his best on and off his bicycle. He had a heart of gold, and an incredible passion for Cycling. He told family members that he would prefer to die on his Bicycle one day.