When I was young, riding my bike 2-3 miles to a friend’s house to do homework or play a sport, I never would/could have dreamed this would be such an integral part of my life. Even more so, the bicycle/tricycle would become what I am known for as an athlete, “trike guru”, and most recently, the manager for the Challenged Athletes Foundation Trike/Womens Handcycle Racing Team.
When back on October 16, 2006, one month before my fourth deployment to Iraq/Afghanistan, a massive stroke hit my brain and body leaving me unable to speak, use my arm, or walk independently. During my recovery, I was introduced to the recumbent trike and instantly fell in love. I rode all over the states, upgraded to a faster recumbent trike and was “happy”. Then my eyes found an upright trike which was allowed in many more races (the recumbent was not). It was only available from England, so I made the call and purchased my first upright trike (one that turned out to be many).
I found myself in the new World of Para-cycling. I have won Para-Cycling US Nationals, medaled in UCI World Cups, and competed in UCI World Championships. In the 2012 Paralympic Games London, I placed 5th and 7th. When not racing or riding, I can be found with my coaching business, as a USAC Level 2 Coach. Peace Cycling Performance (PCP) has taken off to great success. PCP has included 9 National Champions (Ryan Boyle, Jill Walsh, Mandy Kloepfer, Matt Rodriguez, Jay LaPointe, Ryan Sykes, Ellie Kennedy and myself), 2 UCI World Champions (Boyle and Walsh), and 4 Paralympians (myself, Walsh, Boyle, and Rodriguez). The 2016 Paralympics also held a surprise for me. Teammate, Jill Walsh, presented me with the Order of Ikkos medal. This award is given by a Paralympic medalist to a coach/mentor to recognize the difference they make in the sport. This was a once-in-a-lifetime presentation that I could not have been happier to receive it.
This all set me up for success, because as younger/faster trike riders (compared to older/slower me) emerged, many athletes also needed someone to set up their travel, manage their races/pits, etc. This was right up my alley, thanks to the Navy for my organization and my love for travel. As I was winding down my days of full-time athlete, a door opened for my management skills. The CAF Women’s Handcycle (HC) Team needed my skill set to replace their departing manager. The team was originally set up to help athletes from smaller groups (like women’s HC and trikes). I immediately took over and expertly led the women to races such as the Swamp Classic, Tour of American Dairylands, US Paracycling Nationals and also expanded the roster to include trikes. I have now had the privilege to lead the athletes through 3 seasons and hope for more.
This year is a Paralympic year and our season culminated with the US ParaTrials in Loma Linda, CA. Our roster, unfortunately, took some hits this year (injuries, USADA, sickness, etc) so we were cut almost in half (6/10) on race day. Anyone who has raced in the ParaTrials know that there are very few slots to win the coveted ticket to the Paris Paralympics Games. It was extremely close and all of the athletes gave it all they had. At the end of racing, the CAF Team had won one ticket, Oksana Masters. All the athletes (Masters, Rodriguez, Kloepfer, Gabby Platt, Ryen Reed, and Jenna Rollman) should be proud and had personal bests in the 100 degree heat. They made everyone watching, including me, extremely happy.
All I say when I look at the journey I’ve chosen is… it’s been a wonderful ride. From the stroke, to finding the trike, to being an elite athlete, to transitioning from athlete to management, to who knows what is next. It HAS been a wonderful ride.
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