isabled'
sport is not entirely correct, as the sport is open to all. When
racing, competitors compete in different classes depending on their
abilities, and there is an Open class that caters for everyone.
If
you like the open road and the feel of the wind on your face, the
freedom of the open
road and you'd like to get in some exercise at the same time - then
handcycling is for you!
Just as push-rim racing
wheelchairs fit
in with the marathon scene, so handcycles fit in with cycle races. This
is made more clear when you look at the triathlon - a push-rim
wheelchair is allowed on the running section and a handcycle is allowed
for the cycling section of a triathlon. So to keep things clean, in
South Africa we generally ride our handcycles in cycle races and not in
foot marathons as a rule.
There
is one race that
has become an institution here in South Africa - it is
the Outeniqua wheelChair Challenge, fondly known as "the OCC", and it
is held in George in February. This is a race specifically for
wheelchairs and handcycles, with classes separated for wheelers and
handcyclists. In 2009 there were over 500 participants! The
OCC
race will be held on 13th Februry 2010 - this is also the first day of
the
Toer de Kaap 2010
Handcycle Tour. In 2011 we will run the Toer de Kaap before the OCC race, with OCC being the final day of the tour.
So, browse round the website and enjoy learning a bit more about the
sport of handcycling.
