Exciting adventure begins

Video

MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - Hand cyclist Vusi Marenene left Mossel Bay today as part of a team, cycling to Hermanus.

The trip he is undertaking, called the Sea-Battical Paracycle tour, aims to raise awareness of paracycling and raise funds for Vusi to hand cycle on an international level.

Vusi, who was a professional cyclist, was hit by a bakkie in February 2022, and is now a wheelchair user.

Neels Terblanche, who organised the cycle tour, will be circumnavigating the African continent in a pedal boat, starting off from Mossel Bay in December 2024.

He has registered his trip with the Guinness Book of Records. Neels decided he would organise the Sea-Battical Paracycle tour, as a precursor to his pedal boat trip.

He decided the cycle tour should start in Mossel Bay because his pedal boat journey is starting in Mossel Bay. He will be the first person to circumnavigate Africa in a specially designed human-powered pedal boat. He will be raising funds for children worldwide suffering from malnutrition, supporting the global M5M foundation. To find out how to pledge funds, see https://sea-battical.co.za/.

Neels says: “Vusi and I are undertaking a rigorous cycling regimen covering 20 000 kilometres on the road before I embark on my pedal boat expedition. I am riding a mountain bike and Vusi a handcycle, showing his indomitable spirit despite his physical limitations.” For more information on how to support the cyclists, contact Inge de Villiers (076 827 1245 or pro@sea-battical.co.za).

The cycling team, which is finishing in Hermanus on Friday, 8 September, comprises cyclists from Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn. Vusi, Neels and Pieter Marais are from Oudtshoorn.

Mossel Bay resident Fred van Zyl; Warrant Officer Daniel Prins, a Mossel Bay policeman; and Pieter Koekemoer, who was a warrant officer in Mossel Bay and retired from the police this year, are also in the team. Pieter is an amputee and uses a prosthetic.

Vusi told Mossel Bay Advertiser: "I'm excited about this adventure. I will be averaging 20 kilometres an hour. Today's first stage to Riversdale is 100 kilometres, so I will be on the road for five hours." He thanked everyone, organisers and sponsors, who were supporting the tour.

VIDEO - Hand cyclist Vusi Marenene, raises awareness of para-cycling ( Video: Linda Sparg).

Vusi Marenene

Vusi Marenene (in wheelchair) with his team members Warrant Officer Daniel Prins next to him; Neels Terblanche directly behind him; and to the right of Neels, Pieter Koekemoer; Fred van Zyl; and Pieter Marais (white cap). Mossel Bay mayor Dirk Kotzé is back, third from right. Photos: Linda Sparg