[Sportsandrec] FW: 'LEARN TO RACE' CYCLING CAMP FOR RIDERS WITH DISABILITIES CONCLUDES

[Christella Garcia]

  _____  

From: United States Association of Blind Athletes [mailto:etap at usaba.org] 
Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 1:28 PM
To: Christella Garcia
Subject: 'LEARN TO RACE' CYCLING CAMP FOR RIDERS WITH DISABILITIES CONCLUDES


 USABA Logo consisting of a red "US" a blue "A" a blue braille "B" and a
blue "A" superimposed on a US flag background
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information Contact:  
September 23, 2009
John Potts, Sports Director
Phone: (719) 630-0422
jpotts at usaba.org
 
 
 "Learn To Race" Cycling Camp for Riders with Disabilities Concludes
           
 
(Colorado Springs, Colorado) - The United States Association of Blind
Athletes (USABA), in partnership with U.S. Paralympics, U.S. Hand Cycling,
and Disabled Sports USA hosted a Developmental Cycling Camp for Riders with
Disabilities at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO,
September, 12-19, 2009.
 
During the camp twenty-two camp participants including blind and visually
impaired cyclists and their sighted pilots, who ride tandem bikes; cyclists
with lower mobility impairments, who use hand cycles; cyclists with cerebral
palsy or head injury who use both standard bikes and amputee cyclists who
ride either single bikes or hand cycles learned advanced bike handling
skills and road racing strategies and were provided instruction in track
riding. 
 
Among the participants were military veterans and active duty service
members who sustained physical and sensory disabilities as a result of
service in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.  Camp
staff included certified cycling coaches, a certified mechanic and guest
speakers from a variety of sports related fields
 
"The camp provided an exceptional opportunity for cyclists to increase their
riding knowledge and experience while bonding with people who have a shared
passion cycling. We're optimistic that several of these athletes will be
inspired to return to their respective homes to train and compete with the
goal of competing for the United States in future regional and national
events, including for some the Paralympic Games", said Mark Lucas, Executive
Director of the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes.  "Regardless of the each
participant's personal goal, our take-away for them is that they foster a
passion for riding and living a physically fit lifestyle, whether they ride
for pleasure or strive to become Paralympic cycling gold medalists."
 
Although specific details are still pending, the next camp is tentatively
planned for late-May, 2010.  Information will be posted to the USABA
website, www.usaba.org <http://www.usaba.org/>  as it becomes available.