Ricardo Snell: The aspiring cyclist overcoming challenges in pursuit of his dream

Ricardo Snell was just another face in the crowd at the 2022 Cape Town Cycle Tour  -  but that day changed everything for the 26-year-old Hangberg resident.

Living with ADHD, Ricardo had faced his share of obstacles long before he discovered cycling. But the race lit something in him that determination and grit would carry forward.

His father, Adam Snell, said Ricardo first moved to Hangberg around the age of 13 after attending a special-needs school in Ocean View.

"He moved here and he was always very active, lots of energy, and he used to run around a lot in the street with friends," he said.

One day, Ricardo returned home with a group of friends, who had been encouraging him to turn to cycling and try it out. When a local pastor also approached Ricardo to join the cycling team, his mind was made up.

"He wanted to do cycling so bad, he would watch everyone cycling, and I thought, okay, let's give it a try and allow him to do it. He is still on medication for his ADHD, which worried me a little bit, but knowing him and knowing how much the community loves him brought me some comfort," Adam said.

Ricardo's first race left him hungry for more, but the reality of competing without his own bicycle quickly set in. Since that debut, he has had to borrow bikes each time he lines up for an event, spending weeks before every race tracking down a ride just to compete.

“Cycling is not just a sport for me; it's a lifeline. Each pedal I take is a step closer to showing that ADHD doesn’t define me; rather, it drives my determination,” Ricardo said.

His story resonates deeply with many, proving to many in Hout Bay that dreams are worth pursuing, regardless of the hurdles one might face.

Navadly Koopman from Hangberg started a campaign to help Ricardo, turning to social media to request help.

"He is such an amazing person and is loved by everyone in this community. He basically grew up in front of all of us, and we would really love to see him flourish and achieve his dream," she said.

Ms Koopman said they already experienced a bit of luck after receiving assistance from a resident who said Ricardo was able to borrow her bicycle.

"We are so grateful for this resident, but the bicycle is not race-ready and still needs some attention. Ideally, we would love for him to have his own bicycle so that we can stop this running around before an event," Ms Koopman said.

With the Cape Town Cycle Tour taking place on Sunday, March 8, Ricardo is running out of time - but he remains determined to be on the start line.

“This race is more than just winning. It's about pushing boundaries and showing what can be achieved when you never give up. I want to thank everybody around for simply just believing in me,” Ricardo said.

To support Ricardo, call Ms Koopman on 076 222 1862 or email nava8207@gmail.com

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