Ashley's new bike is fit for a champion

From: Independent Online, South Africa - Jun 6, 2006

By Nathalie Rosa Bucher

The giant smile on Ashley Abrahams's face needs no interpretation - he has his dream bike for the World Deaf Cycling Championship.

Abrahams, 31, from Lansdowne, has been selected to represent South Africa at the championship in San Francisco, California, from June 18 to 24.

His fears of not being able to give of his best because of the state of his old racing bike are no more, thanks to a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Claremont, which responded to a report in the Cape Argus last week.

Abrahams was able to buy a new carbon fibre Giant racing bike, fitted with a computer that monitors heart rate, a carbon-fibre water bottle holder, crankset, seat post and the latest Ksyrium elite wheels and Shimano Ultegra 10-speed gears.

Rotarians Paul de Groot and Jimmy Warner felt that Abrahams and the South African team deserved support. "Hopefully this new bike and accessories will contribute considerably," they said.

The funds came from Rotary's involvement with the organising of the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour.

"The only conditions are that Abrahams enjoys himself, performs to the best of his ability and shouts 'Hoopla!' for the rest of us back home each time he sets off on a race."

Cycle shop owner Jason Lind also gave Abrahams a 12,5 percent discount on the bicycle.

Professor Julian Smith of Stellenbosch University, also in response to the newspaper report, has offered training, conditioning and testing assistance at the university's sport science department, which has gold status accreditation for sportsmen and women with disabilities.

The department has prepared the paralympic team for Athens and in that way could support Ashley in his dream of representing South Africa at the next Olympic games in Beijing, Smith said.

nathalieb@incape.co.za

© 2006 Independent Online