Provoking perspective
The sun sets on the last day. Everyone left for podium. I stayed for this photo.
Have you ever seen something that elicits and provokes many thoughts and unique perspectives? I just finished 5 days in Huntsville for the UCI Para World Cup. There were only 3 World Cups and for the first time, one of them was hosted in the US. I’ve worked Para Nationals and Para World Championships before…so I’m familiar with the para events. That doesn’t mean I’m still not in awe of the passion and ability these athletes demonstrate.
If you aren’t familiar with para-cycling there are many different categories. These categories are determined by your disability. Here’s what’s fascinating: You are classified and confirmed by UCI officials. They run you through an assessment and then watch you race. It’s really cool to watch that process unfold.
Call Ups for the Mens H3 (Hand Cyclists)
Part of podium for the mens B (Tandem) category. (Visually impaired. They did 60 miles in 2 hours!)
Chaos occasionally? You betcha.
I’m fascinated and incredibly impressed to watch athletes with disabilities overcome their challenges to race bikes. Trikes, tandems, regular road bikes, and more. The craziness was on FULL display with 6 categories on the course at one time on Sunday. The communication between Brad Sohner, timing, and the officials had to be spot on. UCI had French-speaking officials. USA Para had the American officials. (All assigned by the UCI). Did I screw up? Yup. With ONE lap to go,The women’s Irish gold medal tandem team yelled back at us when we indicated they had won the gold. Their response? “We have one lap to go” as they flew by. 🙃
What was special? The training, dedication, and friendship that these athletes displayed. I got to watch all of this during the podiums. Watching the laughs, the smiles, the grit, the pain, the reward. All of these athletes are highly competitive. What else did I see? The compassion that they have for each other. They all share the sport as a means to compete. Fulfillment. I think able-bodied athletes sometimes forget the joy of competition and the friendships it forges. Sometimes, myself included, we get lost in the training, the weight management, the equipment, or any other of the other “things” that distract us from the beauty of our sport.
Para athletes reminded me that we should really focus on what cycling offers. Beauty, exercise, fun, and occasionally competition.
I’m going to challenge you, on your next ride, to really take in all the beauty and fun that two (or three) wheels provide. Our sport is magical.
Tailwinds,
Chad