He dabbles in adventure, makes and breaks records, all for a cause. In November 2005, eyeNEWS reported that Hein Wagner of South Africa has become the world's fastest blind driver. Hein is in the news again. This February, he completed a long-distance cycle race, riding solo and he was the only blind competitor in the race.

Blind from birth, Hein, 34, finished the 39 kilometres leg of the Construction du Cap Ninety Niner in Cape Town, South Africa, in less than two hours. Shortly after the race, he said, "This feels amazing," relieved that he managed to navigate the winding roads and busy traffic on the route.

Hein rode on a solo bicycle behind a navigator, using only the helper's voice to direct him and a beeping device attached to the navigator's cycle to judge speed.

The biggest problem was the noise of the traffic, which at times made it almost impossible to hear the all-important instructions shouted by the navigator, Wagner said.

He took part in the race to increase public awareness of the problems facing blind people and to raise money for a national charity for the blind.