Program Overview

Thursday, 20 September 2007 05:20

U.S. Handcycling National Series
National cycling series that puts athletes with and without disabilities together, at the same events as their "able-bodied" counterparts, racing on the same courses, in front of the same crowds, at some of the most prestigous races on the USA Cycling calendar.  At each event, the handcycle race is a feature and showcases the athleticism as well as courage and determination of the participants. For the complete schedule, race results and more details, please visit the "U.S. Handcycling Series" menu item above.

Sadler's Alaska Challenge

U.S. Handcycling has a major partnership with Challenge Alaska, and helps produce the "Tour de France" of Wheelchair Sports: The Sadler's Alaska Challenge. The race is a 300-mile, 8-stage event featuring wheelchair and handcycle racers, competing on the toughest – and most scenic – terrain this planet has to offer. The 2009 race started in Seward, Alaska and finished atop Hatcher Pass in Palmer. The race included more than 14,000 feet of climbing, and featured the best field in history. U.S. Handcycling has been working with Challenge Alaska on the event since 2000, and is proud to be a part of it. For more details, you can visit the event website.

PVA Handcycling Program and Grassroots Clinics

U.S. Handcycling has partnered with the Paralyzed Veteran's of America's new Fitness Program to reach out to disabled veterans and recently-injured members of our armed forces, through handcycling. Through a series of grassroots clinics associated with U.S. Handcycling Series races (usually in partnership with a local adaptive sports program including the VA), U.S. Handcycling will be introducing the sport to hundreds of wheelchair users and athletes with lower-mobility impairments, to improve their health, fitness, and well-being through cycling.

Paralympic Development Camps

In association with Disabled Sports, USA, U.S. Paralympics, and the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, U.S. Handcycling will run"learn to race" camps at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, in order to help up-and-coming athletes learn racing and training skills, and compete for a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Team headed to the 2012 games in London, England.