[tabi] "Learn To Race" Cycling Camps Held For Riders with Disabilities and Paralympic Hopefuls

From: "Allison and Chip Orange" <acorange@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:25:20 -0400
"Learn To Race" Cycling Camps Held For Riders with Disabilities and
Paralympic Hopefuls

(Colorado Springs, Colorado) - In partnership  with  U.S. HandCycling
(USHF), Disabled
Sports USA (DSUSA)  and U.S. Paralympics,  the United States Association of
Blind
Athletes (USABA), is pleased to host two Cycling Development Camps for
Riders with
Disabilities at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO.
Interested riders may apply for one camp, either May 17-23, 2010 or
September (dates
TBD). While the May camp is definite, the September camp approval is
dependent on
level of interest and available funding.
Cyclists with physical disabilities ages 16 and up are welcome to apply for
this
camp. Athletes will learn bike handling skills, safe riding techniques and
road racing
strategies.  Instruction in track riding will also be provided.
Athletes eligible for participation include UCI (Union Cycliste
International) sanctioned
classifications: blind and visually impaired cyclists and their sighted
pilots who
ride tandem bikes, cyclists with lower mobility impairments who ride hand
cycles,
cyclists with cerebral palsy or head injury who use both standard bikes and
tricycles,
and amputee cyclists who ride either single bikes or hand cycles. A special
invitation
is extended to disabled veterans and disabled members of the armed forces
who sustained
physical disabilities as a result of service in Operation Iraqi Freedom or
Operation
Enduring Freedom, and are encouraged to apply.
"This is an outstanding opportunity for cyclists who want to gain cycling
knowledge
and experience, and learn to race competitively," said Mark Lucas, Executive
Director
of the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes.
Camp staff will include certified cycling coaches, a cycling mechanic and a
camp
coordinator. Several Paralympic cyclists will join rides and speak with
attendees
to share their knowledge and experience.
Riders attending camp will be on their bikes twice per day participating in
skill
drills, practicing safe riding techniques, competing in race simulations and
attending
lectures. "We will help network interested riders into their local riding
and racing
communities and provide a schedule of future race opportunities," said Pam
Fernandes,
camp coordinator and former Paralympic cyclist.
Whatever the outcome for each rider, the goal of the camp is to foster a
passion
and knowledge for riding and racing. After completing camp, some athletes
will choose
to become recreational riders while others will strive to become Paralympic
champions.
No matter which road athletes choose, the camp will open new opportunities
for sports
and recreation to people with physical disabilities. In the past, some camp
attendees
have gone on to become World and Paralympic champions and have set National,
World
and Paralympic records.
Room, board and transportation to and from the airport will be provided by
the U.S.
Olympic Training Center as part of the camp.  Athletes will be responsible
for their
own travel arrangements and will be asked to pay a nominal fee to attend
camp.
Riders are asked to bring their own bikes and gear to the camp.  Tandem
riders are
encouraged to bring their own pilots, but if needed, USABA will assist in
finding
pilots for visually impaired applicants.
The Application deadline for the May camp is April 15, 2010. The deadline
for the
September camp is August 10, 2010 Applicants are encouraged to apply as
early as
possible as space is limited.
For more information or to request an application, contact Pam Fernandes at
pamala@xxxxxxxx
 or call (781) 449-9563 (EST).  Information about the camp and an
application can
also be downloaded from the USABA web site at
http://www.usaba.org

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[tabi] "Learn To Race" Cycling Camps Held For Riders with Disabilities and Paralympic Hopefuls

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