Father and son takes on Ironman Australia in Cairns after surviving cycling crash
Six years ago, Brayden and his father Travis McKenzie took his new bike out for its first spin.
The pair took their usual 10-kilometre route around West Beach in Adelaide's western suburbs, but their ride took a tragic turn when an out-of-control van headed towards them.
The driver of the van had experienced a medical episode, causing him to lose control.
The van hit a pedestrian first, 44-year-old Muhammad Iqbal, who later died from the impact.
Moments later, the van swerved to the other side of the road and collided with Brayden and his father, whose quick thinking saved his life.
Travis also recalled the moment his fatherly instincts took over to care for his son, despite multiple broken bones in his body.
"It all sort of happened in slowmo, so I can still see it as clear as day," Travis said.
"Just heard the thud of the other pedestrian getting hit and the van coming towards us.
"Then that thud of it hitting it and then sort of trying to pull yourself up to see what's going on and where Brayden was and getting myself across to him and evaluating sort of your own injuries, but I couldn't feel anything until I knew the sort of care for him."
While they survived the crash, they sustained serious injuries.
Brayden took six months off school with a fractured pelvis, concussion and extensive abrasions on the right side of his body.
Travis took the brunt of the impact, requiring him to take 12 months off work.
He underwent four operations on his back and his leg which was broken in four places.
Brayden is grateful for his father's protection.
"It changes your perspective, even just sitting in the car as you drive, riding on the road now six years on, it still crosses your mind."
The accident marked the start of a journey of sorts for the pair.
On the day they were both released from separate hospitals, Travis and Brayden made a secret pact — as soon as Brayden was old enough, they would take on the mammoth challenge of a full Ironman triathlon.
"It's a commitment we made together to see through to the end," Travis said.
"It gave us steps and challenges that we needed to get us where we need to.
"It's given us a good six years to get to where we are, I guess to get through the trauma, the emotion, and just the physical strength to get to that start line together."
Six years on from the accident and just 30 days after his 18th birthday, Brayden is now eligible to compete, making him the youngest participant for this weekend's Ironman Australia Triathlon in Cairns.
The pair feel confident they can take on the challenge consisting of a 3.8 kilometre swim, 180km bike course and a complete 42.2km marathon.
Travis had previously competed in eight Ironman events, but this will be his first since the accident.
Preparations for the competition have intertwined with their recovery to overcome significant emotional and physical trauma, a process Brayden said has brought him closer to his dad.
"Our relationship is really close, but this will definitely bring us even closer, the solid blocks of training we've put in together, long hours together has definitely brought us even closer," he said.
Becoming Ironmen has been no small feat, with the extent of their injuries and the emotional toll taking 12 months before Brayden got back on the saddle and for Travis 18.
For the father and son, it was never a question of if but when they would get back on the bike.
"It's a passion of mine, it's a passion of dad's. I live and breathe it now. So it means the world to me," Brayden said.
But it didn't come without its challenges.
The pair hope their story will inspire others and spread a strong message on road safety.
Brayden will take a week off school to travel to Cairns with his dad and their family, marking a very special milestone for a long road to recovery.
"This is a goal in the distance that we've finally made it to so, it's nothing is too far on the horizon it's just taking it one day at a time and embracing the journey we're on," Brayden said.
Travis agrees: "Anything is possible if you put your mind to it."
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