Dey, 76, has made a swift return to multisport competition after enduring the life-threatening accident in December, 2023.
He will take part in tomorrow’s race by riding 90km in the men’s team event.
Dey was forced to take a hiatus from the sport following the crash in December 2023.
The accident left him with an arm broken in three places, 11 broken ribs, a fractured collarbone and a broken hand — and nearly cost him his life.
"I was coming down Aubrey Rd in Wānaka when someone unfortunately opened a car door into the cycle lane. I came off — I was very lucky a local doctor saw me; it was a pretty bad crash," he said.
"The doctor, who just happened to be nearby, helped me immediately. I had X-rays at the medical centre before the helicopter took me.
"I was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in no time. It is an unbelievable service. I was in the hospital less than three hours after the accident."
Doctors later discovered Dey had suffered a collapsed lung, a complication that could have been fatal had it not been caught in time. He spent more than two weeks in hospital.
Dey remained determined to recover, slowly building his fitness through walking, and cycling again after about four months.
Tomorrow he will team up with friends Neil McKenzie, 75, and Jonathan Batchelor, 59, for the men’s team event.
McKenzie, a longtime friend and former Otago Boys’ High School classmate, will tackle the 1.9km swim, while Batchelor will complete the half marathon.
Dey, a frequent participant in Challenge Wānaka, has only missed a couple of the 19 annual events.
This year’s event marks the start of Dey’s return to multisport, the team’s course offering a 90km, undulating route between Wānaka and Glendhu Bay.
The route will be completed three times.
He is incredibly grateful for the support he has received from family, friends and the healthcare team that helped him get back on track.
