Cyclists pedal for the medal with legally blind partner.
The avid sportsman, who has a passion for the outdoors said the Durban Classic event was more mentally challenging than physically demanding as going down a hill on a tandem bike at 80km/hr with no idea where you are took some getting used to.
Source: Ballito cyclist pedals for the medal with legally blind cycling partner – North Coast Courier
Guts, stamina and absolute trust were the ingredients that helped Ballito cyclist Cuan Rootman and his visually impaired cycling partner, Dylan Delaney pedal through the grueling Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic on Sunday, October 20.
The two friends conquered the extreme cycling event on a tandem bike, with Cuan riding in the front as the “sighted” pilot while Dylan’s visual impairment meant his legs worked extra hard to reach break-neck speeds. Dylan’s journey has not been an easy one yet his resilience is not hard to miss. The Ballito resident was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at the age of 18.
The inherited genetic eye disease causes severe vision impairment and symptoms often begin in childhood and include decreased vision at night and loss of tunnel vision. There is no effective treatment for this condition and the onset of symptoms is gradual.
With only 20 percent vision, Dylan is considered legally blind but if you met him today, you would think he has achieved as much as, if not more, than many who are not visually, editorially or physically impaired.
“I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at the age of 18 and after seven years the disease had robbed me of most of my vision. When I was 25 years old I was no longer able to drive. However, despite the many challenges I face and the obstacles I have encountered I believe that the only disability in life is a bad attitude,” said Dylan, the determination clear in his voice.
The avid sportsman, who has a passion for the outdoors said the Durban Classic event was more mentally challenging than physically demanding as going down a hill on a tandem bike at 80km/hr with no idea where you are took some getting used to.
Tandems can reach higher speeds than the same riders on a single bicycle.
“There were times it got really hard, especially going uphill,” but Dylan said the event really tested his resilience.
Despite the brutal heat which forced the organisers of the Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic to be called off at midday, Dylan and Cuan Rootman still managed to finish the race in an impressive time of 3:30.
Temperatures on the road reached close to 35 degrees.
“It is important not to let yourself be hindered from achieving your dreams by any physical limitations, ” said Dylan whose goal is to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and raise awareness for the visually impaired.
Dylan said the challenge living in Ballito with a disability is that not many people have little knowledge of the challenges the visually impaired face however he is determined to overcome those obstacles that create resilience.