OUDTSHOORN NEWS - In 2023, a group of five cyclists rode 2 400km from the Atlantic Ocean in Namibia to the Indian Ocean in Mozambique.
Two of the cyclists were paraplegic and used hand cycles, the first-ever adaptive cycling journey across these five countries. The endeavor would not have been possible without the support vans and hundreds of local cyclists along the way.
The Botswana Council for the Disabled (BCD) rode all 700km across Botswana with the team.
Buoyed by this initial success, Bidii Yetu will now serve as a catalyst for African organisations that wish to promote inclusive cycling events and raise further awareness of the enormous unrealised potential of persons with disabilities.
Well-known local paraplegic cyclist, Vusi Marenene (44), will be taking up this challenge from 24 October to 7 November. "This year, Bidii Yetu and the BCD are co-organising a ride to demonstrate the power of cycling events that include both disabled and two-wheel cyclists. Our event will be a 1 000km ride.
It will start in Gabarone, Botswana's capital in the south, and end at its northern border with Zambia. The route will have us stopping in villages and towns to spread the word how adaptive sports benefit everyone, not just persons with disabilities, and to advocate for greater inclusion of the disabled in everyday sports and recreation."
Marenene explains that this two-week odyssey presents a different challenge from the Bidii Yetu 2023 ride from Namibia to Mozambique.
"We will be taking a larger group, requiring extra organisation and support crew. We will use this experience to develop a model for disabled persons' organisations and cycling clubs across Africa who might be interested in under-taking future, similar inclusive cycling events."
His training partner, and also a quadriplegic, Attie Conradie, will be joining him on this journey.
Known for his discipline, determination, and zest for life, sport runs deep in his veins. He has trained for more than a year. He pursues his dream to compete at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, United States.
"Cycling has always been an integral part of my life. It remains an unwavering passion, despite the challenges I face," he added.
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