Windhoek — Hein Wagner, a blind man who can only be described as an exceptional visionary, will participate in the 2012 FNB Desert Dash, covering 369 km in 24 hours, taking place on the 14th of next month in Swakopmund.

Hein has participated in numerous sporting events, ranging from skydiving to water skiing, iron man competitions, marathons, bungee jumping, yachting and mountain climbing to name but a few. He is also a well-known and respected motivational speaker who has been invited to Namibia on numerous occasions and has mesmerized the audiences every time.

Wagner said that the FNB Desert Dash cycling race has been on his bucket list for a while and he knows that it will be very special to experience the beauty of Namibia on the back of a tandem where he can smell, feel and hear the Namib. Hein added that as a blind cyclist he has to be focused at all times to follow his pilot's instructions, especially on a mountain bike and over the kind of terrain they will be cycling during the race.

"I will make sure I focus on his commands and instructions throughout. I will further set up my feeding bag and supplies on the bike for easy access so that I do not have to take my hands off the handlebars for long times as this could negatively affect our balance." Hein is cycling with Koos Diener who is participating in his third FNB Desert Dash. Wagner added that he was looking forward to the finish line the most, but also the experience of the landscape and all its up-hills and down-hills, which is sure to paint a great picture in his mind of what it actually looks like. Regarding challenges, he says that although he is rather fit at the moment he is a little worried about the time in the saddle.