Narre Warren man Graeme Jones will ride with Don Allen during the 2006 VicRoads Great Victorian Bike Ride later this month.RIDING for nine days straight is a gutsy effort, but doing it when you are blind is truly courageous.
Narre Warren man Graeme Jones will be doing just that when he jumps on a tandem bike and rides in the 2006 VicRoads Great Victorian Bike Ride.
The 57 year-old lost his sight to diabetes three years ago and decided that riding in the event would be a great way of raising awareness of the risks associated with the health problem.
Mr Jones, who has had type two diabetes for 20 years, says he didn’t take his health seriously in the early days.
“My wife had been the one to make sure that I ate the right foods for my diabetes, so when she passed away in 1996, I really stopped taking care of myself and my health suffered as a result,” Mr Jones said.
While he said he was aware of some of the complications caused by diabetes, including amputations and kidney failure, he didn’t know that he was also at risk of losing his sight.
“I knew about the risk of amputation, but that didn’t bother me – I knew I could get by without a few toes,” Mr Jones said.
“But I took my sight for granted and I am now suffering the consequences.”
Mr Jones will be riding a tandem bike with cycling partner Don Allen throughout the ride that starts in Wangaratta on 25 November.
He said his doctor had noticed a great difference in his health and blood sugar levels since he started training six months ago.
“I’ve really enjoyed the cycling and have even bought myself an exercise bike and cycle for over an hour each night,” he said.
