Passionate paracyclist and Business Liaison Officer for Casual Day, Brunhild Strauss, qualified for a medal by finishing the gruelling Cape Argus 2013. After recovering from the race, he wrote this blow-by-blow account of the race.
More than 35 000 cyclists participated in the 36th Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, the largest individually timed cycling event in the world. This was my fourth Cape Argus as a person with disabilities riding a handcycle. I am a paraplegic person which means I only have the use of the top half of my body. The race covers 109km and an amazing experience, not only because of the participants but also the people who line the route to give encouragement. This creates such a wonderful atmosphere and the moral support ensures that the participants don’t give up.
This year I flew the Casual Day flag. Casual Day, a project of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in SA (NCPPDSA), made it possible for me to participate this year.
The starting line for the 2013 Argus was in Hertzog Boulevard at the Cape Town Civic Centre, the onto the N2, down the M3 along the False Bay Coast past the entrance to the Cape of Good Hope, along the Atlantic coast, over Suikerbossie Hill and on to the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point.
In the early morning the paracyclists along with thousands able-bodied cyclists set off, 5 000 at a time. During the chaos we handcyclists are lying close to the ground. We increase our speed over the first few kilometres, realising that the only way to survive is to get into a routine and maintain a certain speed. The Wynberg stretch goes well. Sometimes I keep up, especially on the downhill. That’s when I shout “Keep your line, check left, right”. It’s a nice feeling when I get to pass for a change and other cyclists have to make way for me. Uphill it’s a battle again.
The Muizenburg and Kalk Bay stretch has such beautiful views that I forget about the pain in my arms. I enjoy the welcoming sea breeze in the Cape heat of almost 36 degrees.
Near Smitswinkel my shoulder starts to hurt. I feel I can’t go on. Just two week before the Argus I took part in the Toer de Kaap, a 557 kilometre race over six days. It took its toll on my body. At the next refreshment station I pull off at the Mobile Clinic for a shoulder massage.
I press on through Scarborough despite my aching shoulder. At the half way point I know it can only get worse – the infamous Chappies and the dreaded Suikerbossie Hill are still to come. All that is keeping me going are the able-bodied cyclists passing me on foot, pushing their bikes. I wish I could get up and push my bike! Their words of encouragement keep me going “You can do it,” “I respect you,” “You are my hero,” and “You are almost there,” they shout.
Feared by all cyclists, Chapman’s Peak comes quickly. Kilometres away I can see cyclists snaking along the side of the mountain. I see a couple are sitting together watching the sea. Others are on the phone trying to locate their comrades and loved ones. I’m too tired for phoning or even for site-seeing, I have to try and finish the mountain part of the race. As I make my way to the top of Chapman’s Peak my arm and shoulder are in agony. But I reach the top – in good time.
It took me 60 minutes to get reach the peak, but when I get there I loosen all the brakes and head down the mountain. My shoulder has time to rest. I am thankful for that. I travel down so fast that my Casual Day flag flies off into the sky. My downhill speed is between 45km per hour and 64 km per hour – anything faster would increase my risk of falling off.
There are cut-off times at certain points, but I have made good time and know I will be in Hout Bay on time to take on the seemingly endless Suikerbossie Hill. The atmosphere is amazing. The people of Hout Bay shout encouragement and every now and again someone comes and gives me a push. Even ten steps with me feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
When my fellow traveller stops pushing I feel like I am standing still and seriously consider giving up. I can catch a lift to the finish line in one of those vehicles that transport participants who haven’t reached a certain point by a certain time, I think. Then I come to my senses and realise that that is not what I want, pushing those thoughts out of my mind. I remember the people who have cheered me on along the route. I think of the people who sprayed us with water to cool us off or who offered us bananas for strength. It’s all these tiny things that keep me going.
Once you have overcome the dreaded Suikerbossie, the race is almost over, so it would be foolish to give up now. About 50 km to the finish line I am forced to stop to do some work on my arm pedal. I must still get through Camps Bay, Bantry Bay and Seapoint. So far I have been lucky not to have had any punctures or any other problems with my bike. Other participants are standing along the road with flat wheels and all sorts of bicycle problems. The only real fear I have is that I will be stuck on the side of the road with similar problems – I can’t get off my bike and do repairs like able-bodied cyclists.
Then I see a crowd of people at the finish line. I feel like a child at Christmas time who receives a gift that I wasn’t expecting. I throw my hands in the air and give thanks. I have qualified for a medal, and I have achieved my goal.
I am overwhelmed with excitement when a race official hands me my medal. Among the crowd of people I start to search for my loved ones. My wife and brother in law come to congratulate me. Well wishers congratulate me as I make my way through the crowd to find a hideaway to transfer from my bike to my wheelchair. The thought of all the able-bodied cyclists who did not make it, makes me proud. I look forward to next year’s Cape Argus.
For more information go to www.casualday.co.za
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Author: Andrea Vinassa from Casual Day. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za.
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Brunhild Strauss: the loneliness of the longdistance paracyclist
