Every now and again we are reminded that the enjoyable group rides that many of us take for granted are rather more significant to some who share them with us.

That point was driven home at the Bike SA Annual General Meeting in November when Darko Bogdanovic rose to accept his well-deserved Grand Slam perpetual trophy after having completed all five rides of the Zen Energy Grand Slam Series in 2023.

“I was a latecomer to getting on my bike,” Darko said. “After back surgery, cycling was the only thing I could really do that didn’t hurt my back so ever since 2019 I’ve signed up for a full year of the Grand Slam series. I make sure I tell people so there is no way I can back out.

“The going hasn’t been easy but it’s always been a blast. And thanks to Bike SA because without this I’d likely still be a couch potato,” he said.

Darko was one of 11 riders this year who completed all five events of 80km, 100km, 120km, 150km and 200km in the Grand Slam Series. The others were Michael Blake, David Capon, John Golding,

Andrew Maetze, Ray Morris, Craig Morrison, Todd Northway, Glenn Partington, Natalia Sims and Daniel Wild.

Molly Qu was awarded the trophy as the standout of those who achieved the Mini Slam, which is completing all five events of 40km, 50km, 60km, 75km and 100km in the Mini Slam series or a combination of both Mini and Grand Slams. 

Molly rode the first four Grand Slam distances – 80km, 100km, 120km and 150km and finished the series with the 100km Mini Slam ride in round five.

Eighteen others shared her achievement – Richard Charlesworth, Mandy Creighton, Jennifer Cresp, Trevor Cresp, Andrew Gibbs, John Harrison, Andrew Hill, Kathryn Keen, Linda Neighbour, John Richards, Clinton Rule, James Schapel, Paquita Scott, Carol Seely, Geoffrey Tolcher, Steven Torok, Mark Wilton and David Wood.

And three riders joined Club 500 after completing four events totalling at least 500km in the combined Grand/Mini Slam series. They were Adam Dayman, Marija Dmitrijeva and Shawn La Fou.

The weather was not always kind to our Grand Slam campaigners, with Grand Slam 2 at Woodside testing the riders on a cold and wet day. But 350 people rode at least one Grand Slam event last year, which was a pleasing improvement over 2022.

None of these highlights would not have been possible without the generous support of Zen Energy as well as our other sponsors Roof Racks Galore, Hammer Nutrition, Andersons Solicitors, Nippy’s and Adelaide Superb Chauffers and our invaluable volunteers.

In 2024, the Zen Energy Grand Slam Challenge Series will be held at Gumeracha on 25 February, Willunga on 24 March, Meadows on 2 June, Strathalbyn on 25 August and concluding at Mount Pleasant on 22 September.

Come along and be like Darko. Lock the dates into your diary. Make a commitment, hold yourself to it and achieve something extraordinary. There’s no telling where such daring may lead!

This article first appeared in Bike SA’s Feb-Apr 2024 edition of Cycle Magazine.