. Worcester detective Lyndon Van Wyk refused to let a devastating motorcycle accident end his sporting dreams. After becoming wheelchair-bound in 2018, he mastered handcycling and is now set to represent South Africa internationally.
Image: Supplied
A Cape Town detective has defied the odds with determination after completing the Cape Town Cycle Tour despite not being able to use his legs following a motorbike accident.
Lyndon Van Wyk, of Worcester, Cape Winelands District is a dedicated father of two and is a detective in the South African Police.
On Sunday, Van Wyk joined 28 000 cyclists as a hand cyclist, a skill which he has learnt to master in just a few years.
In 2018, Van Wyk’s life changed dramatically when he was involved in a motorbike accident which left him with a broken spinal cord and is wheelchair bound ever since.
Since then, he has refused to give up and is competing nationally and is set to do so internationally as well.
He also had to change his operations at work and did not give up.
“On the 1st September 2018, I was involved in a motorcycle accident being hit from behind and was left with a broken spinal cord, resulting in me being wheelchair bound,” he told Cape Argus.
“To think that I could've walked a few seconds back, plot twist just like that.
“I had to learn my new identity being in a wheelchair.
“Everything changed, from my do's and don'ts.
“My love for investigation and serving my community was very much limited.
“From being prohibited from working in the field, I am deskbound, yet I am enjoying it as the responsibility is well tasked on my shoulders. My children looked at me with different eyes I had in mind.
“Proving to them that life gives you challenges and one has to find a way to get if not over it, try around or under.
“In the end, we are all so grateful for what we still have. What keeps me floating above is that there will always be someone else who has it more difficult than you have.
“I remember after my operation spending one and a half months in a Medi-clinic, I was transferred to Vincent Pallotti Hospital for my rehabilitation phase. Difficult, yes. For the next month and a half, I learned a lot. I accepted the situation that I was in. I am thankful regardless of my situation, for it could have been more serious as it is now.”
Van Wyk said he was introduced to handcycling by a local pastor and was sold on the idea immediately.
“What started off as just practicing as a recreational sport or hobby for me concerning the handcycle, ended up taking challenges on routes and competitions,” he explained.
Worcester detective Lyndon Van Wyk.
Image: Supplied
Prior to his accident, Van Wyk was very active in various sports such as soccer, cricket to tennis and never thought of cycling.
Among other races, he completed the Cape Winelands PPA, One tonner tour 62km in 2023 and Winelands Cycle Race 48km in 2023, Cape Town Cycle Tour in 42 km in 2023, George OCC 40km in 2024, Timbercity Oudtshoorn 57km in 2024 and Oudtshoorn Western Cape Road and Time Trail Champs 2025, becoming Western Cape's gold medal champion and attended the South African trails in Midvaal Johannesburg.
“There I have won the individual time trial for the classification H-3, 2nd place silver 22km, and 1st place gold in the road race 55km,” he detailed.
“The last race ended up being the SA champion in my classification H-3,being disabled and now I am given the chance to go to Belgium to participate in the world championships.
“My love for sport. I was always hoping to represent my hometown and country and be a SA Champ is crazy.
“To get me to Belgium is a bit of a financial challenge. As the costs are rapidly increasing between R60 000 and R70 000. “
On Sunday’s race close to 28 000 entrants took to the streets of Cape Town for the 47th Cape Town Cycle Tour.
In the men’s race Tyler Lange’s finished within 2 hours, 25 minutes and 48 seconds is 1 minute and 41 seconds faster than Robbie Hunter’s 17-year-old previous best of 2 hours, 27 minutes and 29 seconds. Elite women’s race winner, Pia Grünewald went on a 50 kilometre solo break and still took 2 minutes and 30 seconds of Cherise Willeit’s 2020 course record. The new mark to beat on the 78 kilometre route is 2 hours, 5 minutes and 18 seconds.
Cape Argus