Hannah Pascoe, who lives in Invercargill, is blind and was chasing a dream to be at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games as a para-cyclist on a tandem bike.
“Since 2017 I have been chasing the dream of becoming a Paralympian in paracycling with a break in between to start our little whanau. Sadly and despite my best efforts, this dream is not to be. I’m happy to say despite this news, I’m going out among the top 10 fastest tandems in the world. I will be retiring from high performance sport but don’t want to waste all my training and hard work so I want to achieve one more big thing before settling down into normal everyday whanau life.”
Hannah Pascoe in the centre of the picture in cycling gear and smiling at camera, along with Janet and Kara in Janets cycling kit which is under her business called the rig.
Blind Sport is proud to partner with her project to become the first kāpō wahine to cycle the length of Aotearoa from 8-29 November 2023 (there has only been one blind low vision member who has completed this - Paul Glass from Timaru who rode the Tour of Aotearoa 3000km distance over 21 days). The aim of her project is to raise awareness for blind and low vision athletes and fundraise for future blind/low vision athletes to chase their dreams in sport just like she did. All funds raised going to growing Blind Sport and giving our community hope that chasing dreams is possible.
In Hannah’s own words
‘First… one more milestone to tick off that is within my control. Become the first blind female to cycle the 2300km roads of Aotearoa. And what’s a big event without a cause. To raise money and awareness for our blind and low vision members in sport. But wait, there’s more!
I’ll be joined by my outstanding cousin Kara who’ll be taking up pilot once again and who originally got me into cycling. Along next, Janet queen of endurance whom I I first met her at SIT. She was only a long distance runner until we converted her into a multi sporter and has since completed 3 coast to coast events. Also to join the Wahine Toa Tour of Aotearoa, our extraordinary Aunty Marcia who has been a part of this journey from the start along with Aunty Ora to follow us over 20 long days across the motu.’
Please see below for the current schedule (subject to change with weather conditions!) You can support this great project in so many ways! Joining them on road bikes for part of the journey, cheer on from the side lines when they arrive at a destination, donating to the cause and spreading the word about this incredible first time feat!
Since 2017, Hannah has grown a social media following so people can follow her journey of chasing dreams. Just because she wasn’t able to qualify for the Paralympics, it does not mean it can’t happen for someone else and she wants to use her profile and reputation to help. Hannahs team are sharing their journey already with significant fundraising milestones already achieved. Daily live updates will be shared on the journey through her Facebook page raising the profile of the ride, fundraising and having a good time whilst trying to pretend legs aren’t hurting. Make sure to give it a follow now!
Want to find out more about what you can do to help – get in touch with Hannah at hannah.pascoe@icloud.com or Blind Sport at jemma@blindsport.kiwi
Map of NZ with route of hannahs trip. Text version is below
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep balanced you must keep moving forward." Albert Einstein