Johann Rissik RIP

[The Crazy German]

It's stil hard to believe this wonderfull man is no more. How Johann and I met is higher up with his words. One night I showed up on his stoep in need of a workshop. He got out his best drill bits to fix my shoes and we talked all evening. We would chat from time to time about tandems and freedom challenge. My race plans got shelved and I ended up riding leisurely one of my big goals to catch up with Johann.

 

Ad I caught him on that one day the weels came of. He lost his group struggling for the cutoff and most slower riders had bailed so he was up for a couple of long lonely days. Although Johann modest as he is believes he owed me for what came next I don't agree. He's such a selfless man and I falt it was an honour to accompany him the next day(s).

 

Memory's are different I believe we had a chat in the evening and made a race plan. Johann was to set of early and I would catch up and then the plan was trap trap til we caught the Wally's(half a day one day several days non one knew but a deal was made.

 

When I woke up at five there was one nicely fresh trail in the snow, the Kommander was leadig the troops and the souldier just had to trap. After the horrible wind of the day before. We fought rain around Romansfontein and then hit dense fog on Assvoelberg. It was an honour that he let me lead the way again. And later that night honestly a lot earlier then hoped we caught the Wally's and I knew Johann was fine to get to Diemersfontein.

 

Then next couple of days we would see each other in the morning and for dinner the Wally's beiing a bit slower then me. I got to the one deep river crossing and knew they would find it at night. So i dragged some 3m branches to make an arrow to point the ankle deep alternative out. Johann cursed me that night as he moered into my sign and almost fell. Needles to say they all got very wet. At least the fire was on a Toekomst.

 

Then came the Osseberg I had pulled ahead but kept my promise to draw him a map with instructions to get thourgh. Our so beloved Osseberg. That could have been a massive adventure as the one night we where counting al our kit ou planning a late entry and an almost certain camp out. Though we spoke about Sandra and my then Girlfriend and didn't wan't to scare the hell out of them or end up single so the plan was postponed, Sadly we'll never get to execute it.

 

Later on I got injured and it was Johann's turn to catch me. We rode the last couple of days to Diemersfontein talking al kind of bike stuff and about his planned tandem Ride with Sandra on the same route. The last day I selfishly pulled ahead to finish before dark.

 

On the terrace in Diemersfontein there was a young lady and a young man having a drink. The spoke to me and asked if I rode the trail. They said we are waiting for our dad Johann have you met him. I can only say I recognised much off what makes Johann such a special man in both of they. Lets hop Pippa can step in the footsteps of her dad the Dikwiel Kommander and ride the trail on day as she said she planned that day.

 

Johann and I stayed in touch but sadly never met in person again. But he kept going above and beyond. My boxes and race plane for Race to Rhodes where all by his hand, just a pity I wasn't a bit harder.

 

The one night I lost my compass so I send a SMS to him. Lost compass, No clue where I am keen to still try and get over moutain where is the moon. I deserved nothing more then an up in the sky idiot, or at best somewhere north. But again Johann's attention for detail and willingness to help as much as he can showed. Still have the message: The moon is 3 degrees east of North right now. Saved my sorry as again.

 

He planned to ride his tandem through Europe and past my house. Sadly that's not gonna happen, who will recommend me Baboon **** now for sore knees and seriously reply only if eaten when I reply isn't Leopard shir better.

 

The Kommander a true Gentlemen. Thanks Again Marnitz for sending me his way that one night in PA. It was a priviledge to meet him and an honour that he called me his friend. May his spirt follow al of us on the trails. May he laugh at my stupidity next time I make a mess and lets hope there is another kind sole as kind as special as his to bail me out again.

 

Deeply missed by al who had the pleasure to meet him, his kindness, selflisness and knowledge about bicycles and life. 

 

Again it was and priviledge to meet you and share the freedom trail with on the way to our Blanket. Ride far up there in the sky my friend.

[Kranswurm]

Seems a bit odd to say RIP.....I have not met the fellow but from what I can see he will be in the thick of the action wherever he might be

[tubed]

Shane, no need to introduce yourself here - you are well known to most of us - in no small part thanks to Johann assuring us that you were in control and that he was well aware of what you are capable of. As you can see he was widely admired. Your words are touching and I hope that in time to come you have just good memories.

 

Maarten - your words too are wonderful - in your own way you epitomise another side to Johann - 'n boer maak 'n plan', Johann was unflappable, there was always a solution - seems you had that in common with him.

 

(I know bikehub comes in for a lot of flack at times due to some poor behaviour, but I really do believe that as a forum it has provided many of us with a common interest and a willingness to share a place where we can constructively find each other. I certainly know the hub will be poorer place for not having Johann's contributions).

[Sniffie]

Rus in vrede Johann. Was vir my ń groot skok gewees om van jou voortydige afsterwe te verneem. I got to know Johann when We did basic training together at Bossiespruit, School of Engineers near Kroonstad, 1982. He graduated from Stellenbosch university the previous year. I was only 17 years old at the time and looked up to Johann as almost a kind of father figure. I remembered him as a jovial guy who took everything in his stride and often volunteered to do the odd favours for his superiors. Our paths soon went seperate ways as he went to Vegkop for JL's and CO's and became Lieutenant while I stayed behind at Bossiespruit to become corporal. We saw little of each other for the next 9 months of our training, but I learned that Johann was one of only 10 recruits chosen to specialise in mines and demolitions for the rest of the year. He also got to play around with an Alouette during his training. I cannot remember where he was posted in his second year but I know that he took up skydiving much to his superiors disgust as he earlier declined an invitation to continue his training as a parabat. We lost contact after national service and years later got to know each other again here on the hub. We talked about a reunion in Prince Albert, and regrettably it never materialised. What a great shame.

[Sepia]

Can't help but think of Johann and Tumbles. 

Two of the most enlightening contributors on the Hub.

 

Glad to have met both. Most down to earth blokes I have ever had the pleasure of talking too.

Thanks guys......

 

The other fellow I forgot to mention who had really good posts was Jagwil.  Enjoyed his input too.

Edited January 30, 2019 by Sepia

[Kranswurm]

The other fellow I forgot to mention who had really good posts was Jagwil.  Enjoyed his input too.

 

We became quite friendly.He also came and did our Kalahari Challenge

Super guy

[Shebeen]

Johann would have been 60 on the 24th of last month.

 

Does anyone know if he was the descendant of Johann Rissik, ie. Rissik street in jhb?

The double nn suggest too much of a coincidence to me.

If that's the case, then he could even claim to have joburg named after him

https://www.joburg.org.za/play_/Pages/Play%20in%20Joburg/Culture%20and%20Heritage/Links/How-was-Johannesburg-named.aspx

[henningvr]

A year already, sho. Missing the Veldkornet.

 

Join me, and let us raise a glass in the general direction of Price Albert.

[DJR]

Johann would have been 60 on the 24th of last month.

 

Does anyone know if he was the descendant of Johann Rissik, ie. Rissik street in jhb?

The double nn suggest too much of a coincidence to me.

If that's the case, then he could even claim to have joburg named after him

https://www.joburg.org.za/play_/Pages/Play%20in%20Joburg/Culture%20and%20Heritage/Links/How-was-Johannesburg-named.aspx

Never too old to learn something  

[DJR]

 

A year already, sho. Missing the Veldkornet.

 

Join me, and let us raise a glass in the general direction of Price Albert.

I'm with you on this one

[eddy]

A year already, sho. Missing the Veldkornet.

 

Join me, and let us raise a glass in the general direction of Price Albert.

Will do so tonight.

 

Does anyone know if he was the descendant of Johann Rissik, ie. Rissik street in jhb?

 

Direct descendant, as I had it.

[Kranswurm]

Will do so tonight.

 

 

Direct descendant, as I had it.

I love history.Joberg reeks of it.When I first started travelling to Johannesburg on business in the late 70s I used to stay at the Rand International Hotel which had a wonderful dining room that was very old world.I used to walk the streets in the evening marvelling at the old buildings.

I go into the downtown CBD at least twice a week and enjoy it very much

Oh

I just raised a glass to Meneer Rissik

[Uni]

Cheers to Johann. A stalwart and friend through my MTB journey. Always supportive, sometimes admonishing but always in my corner.

Ps. I'm sorry I scratched the Niner so badly

[Prince Albert Cycles]

I cycled past his house this morning and was thinking about him and life not realizing that it is a year .

His brother Dave is riding the Niner around town .

Cheers Johann

[Shebeen]

What a lovely man, glad be touched so many hearts

[henningvr]

Let us once again raise our glasses in the general direction of Prince Albert. 

Saluut!

 

Edited January 21, 2021 by henningvr