Sunday, October 17 will be a big day for many novice riders taking on the Amashova Durban Cycle Classic. Among them will be first-time riders Dean Hunter and Sibusiso Shabane, who are just two of the 20 visually impaired riders who will tackle the tough 106km Amashova both as a personal challenge and to show thousands of onlookers and competitors that nothing is too difficult if you set your mind to it.
Hunter and Shabane will represent the Durban-based KwaZulu-Natal Blind Tandem Cycling Association which was created three years ago by visually impaired cycling enthusiast Velli Sagadavan. The two will take on their sighted counterparts riding in tandem with cycling pilots Ben Cameroden and Eric (Rasta) Dlamini. Ben has been a pilot for 12 years while Eric has been one for four years.
Pictured above: Eric (Rasta) Dlamini, Sibusiso Shabane, Ben Cameroden and Dean Hunter
According to Sagadavan, the special relationship between a visually impaired rider and his pilot is central to what each of these competitors will achieve when they cross the finishing line. It’s only once rider and pilot have truly bonded and a rider can trust and follow his experienced pilot’s instructions that the two can really ride as one.
These two tandem teams will not only be participating in the MTN Amashova, but also taking part in cycling a round trip from Durban to Hluhluwe. October is eye-care awareness month and they will be visiting various schools and corporates to raise awareness while also getting in some training for the big race.
Their bikes were donated by the Department of Sports and Recreation. Sagadavan would like to encourage more visually impaired people to take part in events like the MTN Amashova and is appealing for more riders to volunteer as cycling pilots as well as donate cycling gear. She can be contacted on 031 306 2287 during office hours.
Don’t forget to catch all the action at the MTN Amashova DURBAN Classic Criterium, a “grand prix style race” round a 1km circuit on Friday, October 15 at 6pm at the People’s Park, Moses Mabhida Stadium, where professional cyclists are vying for that R30 500 prize money.
This year an exhibition is being held in conjunction with registration of cyclists for the MTN Amashova DURBAN Classic. The expo will be at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue and will take place on the following days: Thursday October 14 from 1pm to 6pm; Friday, October 15 from 9am to 6pm and Saturday, October 16 from 9am to 5pm. Go to www.mtncycling.co.za for more info or call the Shova organisers at 031 312 8896.