Disabled from Bashkiria reached Sevastopol after 22-day handcycle journey

UFA, 5 May 2015. /Bashinform News Agency, Gulfiya Akulova/. The resident of Bashkortostan, disabled Ildar Galiakberov completed a single bike ride Ufa - Sevastopol. The ride started in the Bashkir capital on April 12.

His journey Ildar dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, all veterans and all those who helped bringing the victory closer.

By a specially assembled hybrid of bicycle and wheelchair the athlete covered a distance of 2491 km. His route passed through Volgograd, Kerch, Rostov-on-Don, Theodosia. Daily Ildar passed at least 100-120 kilometres. As a result, the entire journey took 22 days. During the bike ride the traveler was assisted by regional organizations of the disabled, the locals.

In Sevastopol, the disabled man is planning to take part in the Victory Parade on May 9 and then to go way back, also by his handcycle.

Ildar Galiakberov is 37 years old, he lives in Iglino village. Seven years ago after a serious accident he became disabled. Now he is actively engaged in a variety of sports, is a four-time champion of the republic in figure wheelchair riding. The bike ride to Sevastopol is the first large-scale tour of Ildar over the country, last year he had a ride over our republic and drove 600 kilometres for five days.

"I want to prove that people with disabilities do not differ from others. But some of them live life to the fullest, while others limit themselves. They complain that they would lead an active life, if they have had special sports equipment. But you can do without it, just do it yourself and try your hand in it", the traveler told the Volgograd media.