Hand cyclist set to compete in Amashova

DOUGLAS Hendrikz is an award-winning para-surfer but a newcomer to the sport of adaptive cycling. He will be competing in the Amashova Durban Classic on his tadpole-style hand-cycle.

The Amashova is a 106km race that follows the Comrades Marathon route, starting at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall and ending in Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Hendrikz received his adapted cycle three weeks before last year’s Amashova from his friend, Oliver Sinclair.

“This is my new passion as it’s something I can do with my wife. I did the Amashova with three weeks’ notice, and I made it, unaided. It was nice to go fast, hitting speeds of 70km an hour, going down Fields Hill, as I’m a bit of a speed freak. I became a paraplegic after my motorbike accident at the age of 20,” says Hendrikz.

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The para-athlete and Sinclair have decided to focus ‘more seriously’ on cycling and will be pushing the sport’s limits and boundaries.

“We are starting adaptive mountain-biking – there is only one other person in South Africa who has an adaptive mountain bike, that I know of. I’ve ordered mine, and it will be ready at the end of the year. We are engaging with the mountain-bike trail organisers to make the trails a little wider to accommodate our bikes,” says Hendrikz.

Adaptive cycling is an expensive sport. Hendrikz’ hand-cycle is an entry-level item with a R60 000 price tag, and the adaptive mountain bike, which comes from the United States, will cost more. The para-athlete says that the investment is worth it in his opinion.

“You’ve got to enjoy life while you’re young – our family motto is ‘live life to the fullest, as you never know what’s going to happen next’. Rather live life now while you can, so we cycle, surf, and 4×4; we’ve got our dog; we’ve got our travels. We do everything,” says Hendrikz.

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Hendrikz made several of his own upgrades to the bike he’s using for the Amashova in October.

“I upgraded the gear set so I can go uphill more easily. Going downhill is easy, obviously, and we go faster downhill than most, because we are low to the ground. I upgraded to the disc brakes, raised the frame off the ground a little bit, and because of our Durban roads, I put bigger wheels and tyres on to make it a more comfortable and less bumpy ride,” says Hendrikz.

Training can be difficult for para-cyclists as Hendrikz points out that it is unsafe to train on the open road due to being low to the ground and largely invisible to traffic. Hendrikz and his teammates meet for a weekly social ride on the beachfront and train on static trainers in their homes.

Hendrikz, along with the SA para-surfing team, will be winging their way to compete in the World Para Surfing Championships, due to be held in California, from December 4 to 11. The South African team is currently fundraising for this trip.

On his return, Hendrikz has big plans. The Freedom Trail is on his radar, along with more travelling with his wife and son.

Hendrikz married Erica 22 years ago, after first meeting telephonically due to his call centre employment. When they met in person one year later, they planned out the rest of their lives.

“When we backpacked Europe with me in my wheelchair, we documented it, so other people could see that if they wanted to do something, they should. The only thing holding you back is your mind and if you think you can or can’t do it. That is the only limitation. Sure, it’s going to be difficult, sure it’s going to be tough, but you can adapt and find ways of doing things,” he says.

Hendrikz notes: “During cycle races, lots of people get off their bikes and walk up the hill. We don’t have that option and must push through, but when you do, you realise that you can do it, and the reward is so much greater. We find reward in adversity.”