Cycle Tour...Conquered!

I was going to write everything from the Cycle Tour in one post, but I figured our race day deserved its own.

So, after the two-day-craziness that is the Double&Again, it was time.

We had a start time of 6:54 - amazing! Amazing because we got to finish a large part of the race before it got properly hot. This was a really important thing for us because of my heat regulation issues.

The other thing about an early start time is an early wake-up call. My alarm went off at 04:00. When my eyes opened there was a feeling of disbelief that I was awake at 4 in the morning. Then there were the slight heart palpitations at the realisation that we were about to do 109km with 35 000 other people.

Grant arrived to fetch me at 4:50ish. He was so excited he was jumping up and down...literally. This was his attitude so early in the morning

I took a little bit longer to get on the same page but I got there. Early wake-up call...

One of the things the race organisers did was arrange for us to leave from Greenpoint Stadium with the handcyclists with the traffic escort. We felt super important that we had an escort. We got there at 5:30 (Grant was stoked cause we arrived on time) and we started getting ready for the race.

We left the stadium around 6 and this is the point where I stopped freaking out and I started getting excited.

the start

I have only ever been on training rides with Grant and max 5 people, so the idea of riding amongst 35 000 was insane!

When we reached the start, we had to negotiate a few pavements (interesting with two more wheels than usual) but we sorted it out. Grant helped a few of the handcyclists as well. I was quite impressed at not only his gentlemanness but the fact that he was doing all that whilst keeping me and the buggy upright along with his bike. Beast.

The vibe at the start, actually the entire race, was unlike anything I have ever experienced. The number of people screaming support was amazing - people lining the streets and cyclists.

What I loved was that because I'm in the buggy, I have more of an opportunity to take in all the reactions. Many people shouted recognition at me but the best thing for me, especially when we're going uphill, is that focus changed to Grant - he's the one who deserves the props, he's the one doing the hard work - it's the way it should be. So much respect.

While Grant was cycling, I was mostly tweeting (apologies for not being as good at updating the Facebook page, I was a little preoccupied). Tweeting in motion is not as simple as one would think...much co-ordination is required - I'm actually kinda impressed with myself that there weren't more spelling errors. I got really excited when people retweeted and replied and commented. Successful social media mission! I also got to tell Grant when people did this, then we both got excited!

One thing from Edinburgh Drive that was awesome, aside from hitting 68.8km per hour - my faith in Grant's ability to keep us alive decreased slightly at this point, and then we didn't die, and my faith was properly restored...but 100% more than before - was that we rode passed a little dude on a tandem with his dad, and he told us to have a great ride and that he'll see us along the route. I just can't deal with that level of cuteness. I just can't.


Along the route we had planned on having more photos to share but plans change when you're actually in a situation...so, here are some that we managed to get for you guys

Gary and myself in Simonstown

Here's my attempt at showing the world my view of Kommetjie.
Winning.

Taking a break at the base of Chapman's Peak.

Chappies conquered!!
G still strong

Supporters from ET Systems on Suikerbossie was unparalleled.

Huge THANK YOU for giving us (Grant) the gees to get up that mother of a hill!

:)

Getting to this point meant that we didn't have far to go to the end. It also meant that we were, once again, me anyway, in unchartered territory (remember, bakoven marks the end of where we had trained) which meant more trust in Grant required - all good!

We got to the finish line and crossed it with a time of 5:29:43!

Cycle Tour Conquered!
Oh yes!!

When we got to somewhere to stop it was pretty close to the finish and it had a nice little patch of grass. It was our place.

They gave us our medals and with that I think that was the moment we realised what we had accomplished. After all the preparation and planning, we finished it. I think there was a hint of relief for all of us that we were done, and nothing went wrong - let's face it, there were many bad situations that could have materialised, and nothing did. Success, good and proper.

Both myself and Grant were emotional at the end. Both crying.

For me, finishing was so much more than getting a medal and ticking the Cycle Tour off my list. It encompassed everything that I work at achieving through my activism - inclusion, awareness, everything. But more than that, I think the reason I was as emotional as I was, was Grant.

G, you are so amazing that you gave me this opportunity. It would've been so much easier for you to just be a Chaeli Rider. But you didn't, and you aren't just a Chaeli Rider. There are no words to adequately explain how much I appreciate everything you do for me. The fact that you help me with whatever I need help with and do the not-so-polite-things-to-mention that disability entails, like emptying catheter bags into energade bottles on race day (oops, mentioned it. Oh well) make you that much more amazing. Not many people are willing to do that for someone. I have so much trust and faith in you it's unreal. You're the captain conqueror. You make so many things possible.

I feel so privileged to have you in my life. Thank you.

Here's to next time...

:)

Cycle Tour...almost

It's been a week and a bit since we did the Cycle Tour. I'm only blogging now partly because life has been insane, but mostly because it was such an epic experience that it's taken me a while to process everything.

The Chaeli Campaign has a sort of lead-up event to the Cycle Tour - the Double and Again for Disability (cycling from Hermanus to Somerset West, then to the Clock Tower at the Waterfront over 2 days. The two days before the Cycle Tour). For a little extra training, Grant decided it would be a good idea to take Beastie with, and I would ride when the route was ok for us to. I needed some convincing, but I'm sort of becoming a cyclist...

We got to Hermanus and it was hideously windy - in terms of Beastie and wind resistance, etc. But the eighteen of us who were cycling, purposefully ignored that fact. We got on the road and we had a police escort out of Hermanus - pretty legit, I rate.

Then weather took a turn...for the worse. It started raining. Not too badly to begin with, but then.

Now, keep in mind, we have never trained with Beastie in the rain. Interessant.

I'm in the buggy behind Grant. It's raining. The road is now wet. Being in close proximity to a back wheel of a bicycle when it's raining, I discover, means that the water on the road, ends up on you. I really thought the weather was SO much worse than it was, because it rained on me twice! Once, when it actually fell from the sky, and once, from Grant's wheel. Fun times.

There are benefits though...

We now know that Beastie can also dominate in bad weather. We now know that Beastie does not fill up like a cup when it's raining. We now know that I can be hardcore and ride in the rain. We also now know that my 'waterproof' jacket is not so much and we need to invest in a more durable one. Valuable lessons.

We reached 42-ish kilometres of the 94 that were happening on day 1 and decided to stop. This turned out to be a good decision because the rain got worse. I would have drowned.

I got in the car, we put Beastie in the car, Grant carried on like a champion. I went back to my usual Double & Again duties of screaming "WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!" out the window. Much warmer.

We got to the hotel, got warm, and sat in the success of 94km of the route being finished.

What was really cool, was that Grant and I were being featured on The Dr Mol Show that Friday, so everybody got together and watched it. Good team bonding moment, right there.

Day 2...

Everyone was much more optimistic about the cycle that day...well, most of us (Graeme and Jamie...). Looking outside and seeing that it wasn't raining put a smile on everybody's face. Well, most of us (Jamie...)

I didn't go in Beastie for the first 24km because there were pretty hectic roadworks and traffic was insane. Both of us were stoked that I started in the car. Grant still had the buggy on his bike and it was really weird for me to watch it instead of being in it. Stressed me out.

When we got to Bottelary Road, all was clear, and it was time for Beastie domination.

There are a few hills to climb on day 2...but also some really nice downhills. We had some help going up though. Thanks to everybody who gave us a push. Grant's legs appreciated it.

We made it to the Waterfront and got excited that we were finished, took a couple of photos and then went home to prepare for Sunday and then pass out.

Double and Again...

It's 5am and we're about to leave for Hermanus to start the Double and Again for Disability. 17 cyclists doing 300km to raise awareness of ability.

It's always interesting and the memories we create are incredible. Here, you'll be able to experience them with us.

Hope you'll enjoy them!
:)

New exciting experiences

This week was insane!

I'm gonna start with Sunday because that was when the madness began. Sunday was Moonlight Mass. What an amazing experience. Grant has done it quite a few times before. It was my first time - not only for Moonlight Mass, but my first time in Beastie whilst moving. Before Sunday, I had sat in the buggy. But never had I been in it with the purpose of going for a ride. So that was super exciting and super scary all at the same time. We went around the block at Grant's house first so that I could feel and get used to how it feels and what I need to do to balance myself and the buggy...before we had to do it in front of other people ;)

The vibe at Moonlight Mass was amazing. For me, it was amazing just to be a part of a movement like that. It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, what your limitations may be, you can be a part of it. We were the only ones doing it with a buggy. We weren't expecting anything different, but watching people's reactions to us was priceless. We got so many different reactions. Some got excited and shouted encouragement. Some got really confused seeing Grant on his bike and later seeing me attached to the back of his bike - the facial expression on one man's face was indescribably hysterical. Some people got really jealous...because I was just getting pulled around by Grant (sense the sarcasm...). One woman got really annoyed and said "you know, she really could just cycle". Really? So I waved at her and smiled and she promptly apologised. We even got an 'ag shame' face from a passing car. My best was a little boy on the back of his dad's bike saying "Dad, I want to do it like that". So cute.

When we got to the end, they were handing out 1st birthday cupcakes. I got excited and then that excitement was quickly dashed when I realised that I couldn't get one because I had stopped eating at 8 o' clock in preparation for my knee operation Monday morning.

Monday.

It was an early start. We had to wake up at 5 to get to the hospital by 6. Considering that we only got to bed at 1:30, this was a considerable challenge. But we did it. Proud moment, right there.

I went into surgery at around 8. I only freaked out a smidgen, an acceptable level of freaking out. I don't know when I came out. I was kinda out of it and miserable. Apparently my reaction to aneasthetic is over-emotionalness.

Once I'd gotten over myself, it was pretty chilled. I got a really rad bed that guards against pressure sores (not that I've ever had a pressure sore, but I wasn't complaining). How it works is like this: it has different pumps at different points in the mattress and air is pumped through the various parts of the bed at different times, and this changes the pressure points in the bed, lowering the possibility of pressure sores. Cool, hey? I felt like I was medically knowledgeable just now. Yay!

Anyways, I stayed overnight at the hospital. I got SO bored I can't even explain. There really is nothing to do in a hospital. You just lie there, waiting for time to pass and the walls are all beige. It got better when people came to visit. Grant arrived bearing McFlurry's. It was right at the point before you give yourself over completely to boredom - a well-timed McFlurry can change everything. Thanks, G.

Tuesday.

I went home on Tuesday morning. That was cool. I was chilling at home for a while and then...we started packing up my stuff so that I could move into Graca Machel Residence later. I can feel the judgement coming as you read this. But my thinking was that I will be sitting in my wheelchair, no walking around required. And last time they did my knee I was sitting outside at the braai the day after my op. I figured that being at the residence and chatting with new friends would be no different to sitting at the braai. So, we went to Graca Machel (armed with pain killers for my knee) to start this new journey.

This last week has been one of so many new experiences. I have been locked out of the res twice without a student card - the first time was on the first night. We were sitting right outside the door to Graca Machel and my friend Jenna (with her recently acquired student card) disappeared into the res. We had to call her to come back. We only got to bed at like 12 and we were woken at 3 in the morning by the Kopano first-years serenading us outside. Aww moment.

Wednesday.

Woke up super early to walk to Upper Campus. This was a subsequently unsuccessful mission when we reached the stairs to the bridge. So, we decided to walk a different route through Middle Campus which turned out to be a lot further than we had initially thought. But, not to worry, because we came across the disabled Jammie and asked for a lift and we were sorted. My plan was to register for all my courses and get my student card. This plan was only half successful. Registration is a notoriously long process and we came prepared. We waited around for 3 hours or so and when we got into Jameson Hall we were told that because we were first years we couldn't register that day and we could come back on Thursday. Seriously? What a fail.

The second part of the plan was a success. I have a student card!

Later that night we had a karaoke and pizza night at Baxter (the female res across the road from Graca Machel) and it was so much fun. Even though it is not the most accessible of buildings. There are a lot of stairs. But, with plenty of girl power we made a plan and showed those stairs who's boss!

Thursday.

I actually registered on Thursday. Woopwoop. It took an hour and a half to do the whole process - my disability does have it's perks...like not having to stand in the line at registration!

Thursday night we had the Fresher's Braai. It was on the rugby field and almost all the first years were there. There was quite the vibe. The problem was that it ended at 8 and we had to find something to do for the rest of the night. We ended up going to tin roof with 7 of my new friends.

That was an interesting new experience. The first thing we had to figure out was getting there. After a while, we found a taxi that we could get the wheelchair into without too much effort. We got there and stood in the line that was all the way down the road. We were in the line, waiting, and the security man came to us and asked if we wanted to go in and obviously we said yes. Here again, you see the disability perk of not waiting in lines. Yeya.

We misunderstood what he meant because when all 8 of us went forward to go in, he got concerned and said "Oh no. I meant just you". What? He wanted me to go into the club and party by myself. I was like "dude, are you serious?" and we ended up having 4 of us being allowed in. The others came in later. We partied and danced and it was cool. We got home at around 1 and again I got locked out of the residence. Twice in one week. Gosh.

Friday.

Nothing crazy happened. I almost missed breakfast because I was sleeping. Breakfast ends at 8:30 and I got to the dining hall at 8:23. That's what you call a close-shave. I came home for the weekend. So that's where I am now - catching up on some sleep.

I'll hopefully update you more frequently next week. Keep posted and I'll keep posting.

:)

Crazy days, crazy people

Today is a smidgen busier than the usual Sunday. I think my life is a lot busier, in general, than it used to be. I'm definitely not moaning - I like the chaos, it means that there's stuff happening and that's really exciting!

It's Sunday today, which means there's dancing practice - so excited that Damian has recovered from his back injury and is ready to put his dancing shoes back on. It's going to be interesting getting back into the swing of things after such a long break, going to rediscover muscles in my body that have forgotten they exist. It will be tough but this is going to be our year.

Today, before practice, we are planning on getting some more modern music together so that we can dance to our own music. We'll see how successful this is, as we tend to get a little bit sidetracked with random stories. What can I say?

The thing that I'm really stoked about today is Moonlight Mass. We, myself and Grant, have decided that this would be an amazing thing to do - just for gees, but also to raise awareness around 'Chaeli Conquers Cycle Tour 2013'. We have also gently coerced some of our people to join the Moonlight Mass Movement. Yay us!

Before we do this, since I haven't actually been in the buggy while it's in motion, we figured it would probably be good thinking to feel how that feels before we have to do it with other people around. So, a tiny training ride will happen today - pictures/videos will be posted so keep your eyes open for that.

That's all the exciting news.

The not-so-exciting news is that I'm having knee surgery tomorrow. Fun times. Remember, a while ago, I told you all that I have misbehaving kneecaps that refuse to live where they are meant to? We did the one knee to test it out, and now it's time for the second one. I'm not really stressing about it, it's just coming at a time when there's a lot happening...I'm moving into res and starting university and then also the Cycle Tour is in 41 days - Grant seems to be superchilled about this piece of information, so I'm attempting to reach his level of chilledness, not sure it's working out.

I'm just going to tell my body to deal, because I have stuff to do.

:)

A whole lot of firsts

This was an amazing week. So many new things happening it's kind of hard to keep track, but I'm gonna try remember so that you guys are fully aware of the level of chaos going down in my life.

So, pretty much the most exciting yet simultaneously mind-numbing thing of the week has been university orientation. It's really cool because everything is a new experience and you meet amazingly different, new people. It's also not so much fun when you sit in a one-and-a-half-hour lecture on 'curriculum construction' entirely confused. Silver lining...hysterical conversation with prior strangers about very random epiphanies. I guess that's a crucial lesson of university life survival.

While we're still on the topic of university. I have to say. Setting up a timetable/curriculum for a Social Science degree is NOT simple, people. Not even a little bit. I was working on it today, and it took me like two hours to organise my first year subjects - you have to do your entire degree plan, so that you know that you're actually going to graduate in three years time. It's all very complicated. I'm doing it in sessions. Because my brain might disintegrate if I attempt it all at once.

The other exciting things that have happened this week have been Conqueror related. Smiley face.

Monday saw our first photoshoot. We have been asked to be featured in the Cape Argus Pick 'n' Pay Cycle Tour Magazine and they needed an epic photo to go with it. It was a really awesome experience. I got really excited when we found out that Andy Lund was the photographer because he had worked with the five founders of The Chaeli Campaign previously. It was a little reunion vibe - so good. Funny story...sort of...Grant was putting me in the buggy and did all the seatbelts (there are a few) and tightening them so that they were snug. And then, the seatbelt bit me. It bit me, and now I'm bruised. Grant felt really bad but I was kinda excited...My first 'battle wound'! The first of many...

Another awesome thing that we are getting into is talking to companies and schools to spread the conqueror message far and wide. So, on Thursday, we did our first 'Conquerors Talk' with ET Systems staff members. It was very exciting and different for me. I'm used to doing talks with my mom and speaking with Grant has a different vibe. Something to get used to, I guess. I'm super excited that our speaking aspect of 'Chaeli Conquers Cycle Tour 2013' is starting to grow wings. It will hopefully have a lot of impact with many people having their perceptions challenged by what we are doing.

Here's a random piece of information: I am extending my vocabulary. I have learned many many many new cycling and bicycle related words. I feel much more at ease when I can nod in agreement with authority and not just pretending to understand what's going on. Props to Grant for his patience in helping me with this vocab development!

Everything is happening at once and I kinda like it. I like the drama and hysteria that goes with being a conqueror. Hopefully many more people will enjoy it as much as I do.

Epic day

Okay, so, it's a really exciting day to be a conqueror!

It's been quite slow and quiet with our 'Chaeli Conquers Cycle Tour 2013' initiative because we have been waiting for various things to happen before we can properly attack this challenge that we have embarked on. Things like gears and stuff for Grant's bike to make it easier to ride with me and foam for Beastie so that it's comfortable for me to sit in for an extended period of time - seeing that the Cycle Tour is going to be a 6-7 hour feat, these things are crucial!

They are happening now.

We have also, with a little help, figured out how Beastie fits onto Grant's bike. Can I get a woopwoop? So, Grant has tested it out with a different bike just to get the feel for it...minus me.

Now, we are starting to make some more noise!

We are sending our story out to everybody we can think of, tweeting and facebooking like cray people, and just having general Conqueror gees! It's working, because other people are getting excited about us too...and this is the whole mission...getting people excited about life!

Today is a good day because we have just been given a sponsorship of R50 000 from ET Systems! This is an amazing gift to so many differently abled young South Africans who will be given the opportunity to take control of their world. We cannot express the gratitude and happiness that these young people will be feeling when they receive their devices that will change their lives.

So, we want to say to Gary Vink and everybody at ET Systems a HUUUGE thank you for believing in our initiative and joining our mission to grow Conquerors!