Knysna cyclist saves the3 day one wheel at a time
After suffering a puncture on her wheelchair a week-and-a-half into the trip of a lifetime and with no one in Cape Town able to help, French tourist Cécile Grainville faced the possibility of bringing her holiday in South Africa to a premature end. But Knysna cycle veteran Jacques Brink refused to let that happen.
Due to her autism, Grainville (31) is restricted to a six-wheel electric wheelchair, but this doesn't mean her spirit is held back thanks to her vibrant soul and desire to travel. Her journey to South Africa wouldn't be an easy one, however, as she would have to raise money to fund her trip, which would be with her two caregivers Félix Accart and Ambre Buresi.
The dream of a trip to South Africa soon became a reality, and in no time Grainville, Accart, and Buresi were on a plane to Cape Town at the start of her three-week vacation which would be the first time she travelled without her parents. The holiday would get off to a great start, going off without a hitch as Grainville and co. enjoyed the best of what the Mother City had to offer.
Their joy was short-lived though, as about 10 days into the trip, one of the six tyres had a puncture and, according to Accart, no one in Cape Town was able to help them with their predicament. "We went to plenty garages and bicycle shops, but no one was able to help us," he said.
Knowing that this could bring their trip to an end, when local tour agent Céline de Villiers caught wind of their predicament, she knew she had to help. De Villiers works as a tour agent for Fairfield Tours, the South African sister agency of Pur Voyages, the company that helped organised Grainville's trip.
"I immediately called Jacques Brink, because I knew we had to try and do something," said De Villiers, who herself hailed from France before moving to South Africa. Luckily for Grainville, the trio was due to travel to George as part of their journey when the puncture occurred, so they made their way to the Southern Cape to get the tyre fixed.
They arrived in Knysna on Thursday 14 November and made their way to Knysna Cycle Works, of which Brink is the owner, to get the tyre fixed. In no more than five minutes the new tyre was fitted and Grainville's trip was saved. "It really was such a quick, easy fix, I don't know what all the fuss was about in Cape Town," Brink said. Grainville was immensely grateful for the repair, and the day after it was fixed they were treated to a hearty braai at De Villiers' house.
Grainville's journey on South African soil will come to an end in Port Elizabeth on 26 November.