Cape Town - A Cape hand cyclist gearing up to ride from Mossel Bay to Cape Town acknowledged the challenge ahead but said this would not be as hard as what his wife had to bravely face while living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Belgravia resident Rafique Parker, 64, said the cycle ride was in honour of his late wife, Shireen, who was diagnosed with MS in 2001.
Parker is the only hand cyclist out of 33 cyclists set to depart on Saturday on an epic journey to raise funds for cancer and multiple sclerosis programmes as part of the Wheel to Heal initiative.
Parker has been cycling for 10 years and during that time participated in various cycle tours, including nine Argus cycle tours.
At the age of two, Parker was diagnosed with polio, a virus that attacks the nerves and impairs muscle control.
“Since then, I’ve had to wear a caliper on my leg to help me walk. Additionally, in 2006, I was in a major car accident where many of my bones were broken, including my legs and some in my face.”
Parker said it would be the first time cycling the distance over consecutive days.
“Having to use your upper body strength is much more strenuous. On top of that, lying in the bicycle limits my field of vision in comparison to regular cycles.
“Inclines are always more difficult for me, because it’s like I am hauling my bike up, which requires me to exert more strength,” Parker said.
Due to the low structured design, Parker would also not be visible to motorists.
The group will leave by bus on Saturday morning and start the 8-day journey by cycle from Mossel Bay to Cape Town on Sunday. The journey will also include a 30km climb.
Rylands resident and dental surgeon Dr Elias Parker, who is riding in memory of his late wife Mariam, said the target was initially set at R2 million, but since adding a third beneficiary, Groote Schuur Hospital Oncology Department, the target has now been set at R3 million, with around R700 000 already raised.
While passing through the towns, the group will also be distributing 450 food hampers to communities in need as part of the awareness and social impact aspect of the journey.
All funds raised will go to the three beneficiaries, Pink Drive, Multiple Sclerosis South Africa, and Groote Schuur Hospital’s Oncology Department.