Blind since the age of three, Morne Swanepoel never let that disadvantage prevent him from pursuing a passion for cycling and is determined to conquer the Magalies Monster in June.
Swanepoel has been cycling since his school days when his first ride was part of his school’s cycling fundraiser.
Hooked, the Kempton Park local continued with the sport and has competed in numerous road events, developing into an accomplished tandem cyclist.
The 46-year-old made the switch to mountain biking three years ago when his colleague, Marius van Lill, 38, suggested they try their hand at the off-road discipline.
“Mountain biking is much more adventurous and I think road racing can become a little bit boring after a while,” said Van Lill, who resides in Benoni.
“I used to compete a lot as a solo rider, mostly on the road, but then I got chatting to Morne and I told him I wanted a new challenge so we started riding tandem.
Two blind and eager mountain bikers, Dan Manders (back left) and Morne Swanepoel (back right) will take on the Magalies Monster. Photo: Jetline Action Photo
“When you’re used to riding solo, you take for granted that you can get up or sway from side to side.
“These are things you can’t do easily on a tandem, especially not in mountain biking,” said the 38-year-old.
The pair have reached a stage where they can both get out the saddle, an achievement Van Lill said had taken dedication and a great deal of communication.
“It’s definitely a team effort. On the road you need to work together, but for mountain biking it requires an even greater team effort,” said Swanepoel.
“You need to communicate the whole time. Both of us need to know exactly what the other is doing and why he’s doing it.
“The more experience you get, the easier it becomes and we’ve done quite a few kilometres together, so I think we’re getting there.”
Swanepoel added that the fast and furious pace of mountain biking did not always allow time for clear communication.
“Whatever Marius tells me I try to react to but sometimes things happen so quickly that there isn’t really time to realise what’s happening and then I just have to go along with it.”
Not just along for the ride, Swanepoel joked that he must be doing something right as Van Lill had admitted he felt something was missing when he trained alone.
“Without Morne behind me it feels like my engine isn’t working, there’s no power coming from the back,” said Van Lill.
“When we’re in a tight position, that extra power coming from Morne really helps to get us through.
“He’s often been responsible for getting us through some tough situations.”
Together the pair have completed events such as Trans Baviaans, the 947 Cycle Challenge and the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
“It needs two very dedicated people to compete together and the guy who rides with you needs to be extremely committed.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to find someone like that in Marius,” said Swanepoel.
They will be joined in the mountain bike race by Dan Manders, who is also blind, and his tandem partner Theo Coetzee, preparing for a race somewhat more challenging than your average road event.
