One thousand kilometres of eating dust to raise funds for the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) is quite a challenge. How much more of a challenge must it be when the rider has locked-in syndrome with only limited use of his left arm and three fingers?
Despite the severest of physical limitations 34 year-old Dr. Cival Mills, with his incredible and dedicated support team, conquered this Goliath as a rider, not as a passenger, and once again proved that the impossible can be achieved if you have faith, perseverence and people.
QUADS 4 QUADS, organised by Family Adventures attracts over 400 riders eager to take on the 250km of offroad riding each day as they trek from Jo’burg to Ballito
enduring and elating in dust-eating, mountain passes, river crossings, miles of railway lines, farm roads, tunnels and trails, before entering Cane-cutters, Ballito en masse.
TEAM CIVAL consisted of eight riders and a further eight support crew. Rockwell Automation, the main sponsor, and a number of smaller sponsors came to his assistance. Cival’s quad was modified to enable him to steer and operate the throttle with his left hand. Two-way radio’s provided him with advanced warning of sharp corners, rocks, bumps and other obstacles. There was also a backup vehicle to follow the team carrying refreshments, food and hydrates necessary to ensure that Cival did not go hungry or overheat. We stopped every 20 minutes for Cival to have a drink and every hour for him to stretch for 30 minutes.
Day one started off with a surprise.
As we left Carnival City we entered a very rough section with mud, marshes, drop-offs, ditches and you name it, it was there. Cival was loving it but the support vehicle couln’t handle it and had to break off, joining us 45 km later at the first tar crossing occurred. Cival was cramping due to dehydration and much effort went into getting his core temperature down and hydrating him. It was obvious that Cival’s pain threshold and endurance was going to be severely tested.
After lunch in Balfour we travelled to Standerton for the first night stop. An emotional team welcomed Cival into camp at about 18h30 that evening. He had completed the
190 kilometer first leg!
Day two dawned and Cival, still suffering from the after effects of the first day, kitted up and headed for Newcastle, the next overnight stop. At times, Cival traveled at 70 kilometers per hour to make up for time lost on the stretching and re-hydration stops. His cramping gradually eased and, much to the amazement of everyone, he kept on pushing. It had been agreed before hand that he would skip the really difficult and technical sections whilst covering as much of the route as possible. A storm prevented him from completing the last 12 kilometers stretch into Newcastle, but the kindness and camaraderie of the other riders was highlighted when a family gave up their chalet so that Cival could have a shower and a warm bed to sleep in.
Day 3 Cival completed a technical section that even able bodied riders struggled with! The refueling point abounded with tales of triumph over rocks, rivers, ditches and hills.
Another 130 kilometers had been covered.
On the last day Cival led the riders into Cane-Cutters. A huge birthday cake, sponsored by Pick n Pay, as well as his family and close friends were there to welcome him. After four days, three months of prep, 100s of emails and plenty of laughs I am grateful to have participated. Cival’s quad will be upgraded for the next event. The
lack of independent suspension and power steering made his task more difficult, yet his achievement all the more awesome.
Cival was an inspiration to the team and to other riders. One able bodied rider, and now a friend of Cival’s, was overcome with emotion when Cival completed the first day. He could not believe what his eyes were showing him.
Cival’s motto: “I never quit” was evident and inspired others to go the extra mile and give 100%. Cival’s sense of humour, his ability to laugh and determination to enjoy life
are just a few of his many positive attributes. There is never a dull moment with Dr Mills! His just released second book, The Truth About Wheels, bears testimony to this.
Next year is already being talked about. A different quad and a few changes to the plans and we believe that Cival will cover the entire distance. See you at the start!!
