David Klinkradt, left, and Brett Chilcott will be doing their 10th Cape Town Cycle Tour together on Sunday. Picture: Supplied.
David Klinkradt, an 18-year-old from Brackenfell living with Down syndrome, non-epileptic seizures and autism, is planning to tackle his 10th Cape Town Cycle Tour alongside his partner, Brett Chilcott, 47, on Sunday.
David cannot ride a bicycle independently, so he takes on the challenge in a buggy attached to Mr Chilcott’s bicycle.
In celebration of their 10th cycle tour together, they will be joined by support riders Gavin Rossouw, Steven Burnett and Ian Bowker and are aiming to raise at least R60 500 for Raising Hope SA, a charity that runs the Hampers of Hope feeding programme.
“This programme benefits learners and their families at Paarl School in Brackenfell by providing food hampers over the school holidays. These learners are impacted by cerebral palsy, autism and other physical disabilities,” said Mary Klinkradt, the projects manager at Raising Hope SA and David’s mother.
David developed cataracts on both eyes, which required surgery in 2022, according to Ms Klinkradt.
He started running Down syndrome and autism awareness campaigns with his sister, Ashlyn, in 2014 at the age of 8 and became actively involved with Raising Hope South Africa when it was founded in 2016.
David and Mr Chilcott, who is the chairman of Raising Hope South Africa, started cycling together as a buggy team in 2014 when Mr Chilcott responded to a call for cyclists needed to tow buggies so children could experience the joy of cycling.
They have since completed every Cycle Tour together, recording their fastest time in 2018, when they completed the 109km in three hours and 27 minutes.
In the spirit of the race, they are assisted by other cyclists along the steeper sections such as Smitswinkel, Chapman’s Peak and Suikerbossie.
“Over the past 10 years, I have watched David grow, overcoming more challenges and obstacles than most people will face in a lifetime. We are more than riding partners, we are friends, a team, and he has changed my life for the better, forever,” said Mr Chilcott.
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