Challenge completed on a unicycle
Despite battling a bout of hypoglycemia for the first 30km of the 2014 Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge, Northmead resident and unicyclist Alister Buhler soldiered on to complete the race on one wheel on Sunday, November 16.
“I felt extremely lethargic at the start of the race and my levels just dropped,” he said.
“There was a lot of climbing during the first 30kms and I had to walk certain sections that I should really have been able to ride.
“Fortunately, my wife had packed sandwiches for me and that helped boost my levels.
“As I came into Joburg I started to recover, which was good, because I came close to withdrawing from the race.”
Riding on one wheel in the name of Springs-based charity Vita Nova Centre, a home for people (adults and children) with mental disabilities and cerebral palsy, Buhler bravely conquered his health concerns to get to the finish line, albeit a little later than anticipated.
He and other two-wheel riders managed to raise a combined total of R48 000 for the charity.
The unicyclist was one of six unicyclists riding the 94.7 who all finished the race.
The other five were riding to raise funds and awareness for autism, under the slogan ”auSOMEtism”.
“The long hours and the heat during the race definitely get to you, but overall it was enjoyable,” Buhler said.
“The spectators and riders were extremely encouraging and supportive and they helped make it easier.”
Buhler will now turn his attention to riding the Cape Argus, in March, next year.
