“I Had Tears Coming Down” – 39-Year-Old Para Cyclist Conquers the Lengths of New Zealand for Charitable Causes Despite Mid-Life Sightlessness

With hard-earned triumphs wheeling an illustrious career ahead, a para cyclist has made headlines in recent times. Hannah Pascoe, a 39-year-old cycling enthusiast from Invercargill, has depicted true passion for riding sports, despite boundless hurdles throughout her life. Battling through her daily struggles from visual impairment, the brave-hearted lady left her community glistening with joy!

As a testament to her unwavering grit, Pascoe has always been dedicated to cycling races, with many inspiring feats under her name. With a shuttle on-track prowess that defied all odds, the pro athlete remarkably overcame her lifelong troubles, suffering the impacts of
congenital glaucoma. However, by setting her foot on audacious drives, Pascoe made one thing clear. Practice makes one perfect!

Emerging through daily barriers of life

The triumphant cycling journey saw her cover the vast expanse of New Zealand, starting from the northernmost point at Cape Reinga Lighthouse on November 8. Culminating at the southern tip of Stirling Point in Bluff, a passionate team that accompanied the cyclist supported this astounding trip, highlighting her potential beyond the hazards of blindness.

As she pedaled through 19 days of trials and triumphs, the pro cycling lover had reportedly encountered 17 sunny days. While maneuvering the challenging terrains that lay ahead, Pascoe made wonders along the route, including the formidable Cargill Hill. However, to acheive this feat would have been an impossible one for Pascoe had it not been for Kara Roderick-Wandless. Wandless was her tandem partner, who guided Pascoe till the end. With an enthusiastic reception at Invercargill’s Stadium Southland welcoming her, the cyclist was overwhelmed after securing the finish. Moved by the crowded cheers, she stated, “It was fantastic”, adding, “I had tears coming down my eyes as we reached the end.” As part of charity, Pascoe managed to raise more than $25000 to be donated for the wellbeing of fellow athletes who suffered visually.

Visually impaired athlete dreams of cycling victories with determination

Born with the dreadful symptoms of glaucoma, Pascoe’s life journey has always tested her resilience, confronting the loss of her eyesight at the pivotal age of 25. Nonetheless, she dived headfirst into high-performance sports since 2017, relishing every moment with undeniable consistency. Managing the bold consequences of her physicalities, the cycling enthusiast even joined para-athlete games.

Despite falling short of her Paralympic dream, Pascoe redirected her focus toward an arduous yet fulfilling endeavor, hoping for better outcomes in future attempts. And with such high-held enthusiasm, she triumphed with sheer success during her latest riding escapade. Admirably, the recent milestone of becoming the first blind woman to ride along the length of New Zealand marked Pascoe’s pinnacle in her cycling career.

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After the heartwarming scene at Bluff, Hannah Pascoe’s already extraordinary spirits were re-lifted by communal harmony. With several victories in both personal and professional ventures, her astonishing drive for cycling stood as a reminder of human willpower. As she looks back on this monumental achievement, Hannah hopes to etch new heights in her riding ventures, inspiring others with such boundless energy against all difficulties in life.

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