Para-Cycling

Details

Para-Cycling is part of the U.S. Paralympic program governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) internationally (Handcycling is only one of four disciplines within Para-Cycling).

2019 Recreational Group Rides

Group rides will be Tuesday evenings in the summer from 6:30 - 9:00 pm until the weather makes it unpleasant to continue. Meeting spots are subject to change (due to a variety of reasons - this list will be updated as will the Events on the Paralympic Sport Club Alaska Facebook page). This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (must be coordinated in advance - $5 fee per ride for bike rentals). All rides are out-and-back, meaning we'll end at the same place we start.

If you need to reserve one of Challenge Alaska's cycles, requests must be received by 10AM the day of that week's ride. Cycles will be designated based on the following factors:

Priority is given to a person with a disability whose need best matches the capabilities of a particular cycle, per the judgement of the recreation therapist
Priority is given to active clients with Challenge Alaska who have completed an initial assessment and participated actively with Challenge Alaska in the past calendar year
Challenge Alaska has a variety of adaptive cycles available with the goal of giving as many people as possible the opportunity to try different cycles. We will do our best to accommodate those who have specific needs that fall outside of these parameters.
To request one of Challenge Alaska's adaptive cycles, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Jeff at (907) 344-7270 and be sure to mention the specific cycle you're interested in.

The cycles used for these rides are available for rent Friday morning through Wednesday noon on a week-to-week basis, during the cycling season, depending on the cycle and demand.

If you have never ridden with us, please schedule a time for an initial fitting outside of group ride times.

Local rides feature traditional as well as adaptive cycles (including handcycles). Friends and family are encouraged to join us. All riders that are part of our group must wear a helmet and have a current waiver on file with us before riding (signed by parent/guardian if under 18).

May 21 - Point Woronzof Overlook parking lot. Ride toward/to Kincaid park and back.
May 28 - Goose Lake Park parking lot. Ride toward ANMC Campus then toward Peanut Farm and back.
June 4 - Bartlett High School (pool/gym side). Out and back to/toward Eagle River weigh station.
June 11 - Point Woronzof Overlook parking lot. Ride toward/to Kincaid park and back.
June 18 - Goose Lake Park parking lot. Ride toward ANMC Campus then toward Peanut Farm and back.
June 25 - Bartlett High School (pool/gym side). Out and back to/toward Eagle River weigh station.
July 2 - Point Woronzof Overlook parking lot. Ride toward/to Kincaid park and back.
July 9 - Goose Lake Park parking lot. Ride toward ANMC Campus then toward Peanut Farm and back.
July 16 - Bartlett High School (pool/gym side). Out and back to/toward Eagle River weigh station.
July 23 - Point Woronzof Overlook parking lot. Ride toward/to Kincaid park and back.
July 30 - Goose Lake Park parking lot. Ride toward ANMC Campus then toward Peanut Farm and back.
August 6 - Bartlett High School (pool/gym side). Out and back to/toward Eagle River weigh station.
August 13 - Point Woronzof Overlook parking lot. Ride toward/to Kincaid park and back.

2019 Para-Cycling Criterium Races

Challenge Alaska will host a 6 week criterium series at Cuddy Family Park's skating oval in mid-town. These races are designed to introduce Para-Cyclists of all ages to the sport of racing on a closed loop course. No experience in racing is needed but racers should have some riding experience.

Cyclists will be grouped according to age and disability type following the classification system used by the Paralympics. Race days will be Thursday's June 13 - July 25 (except July 4). Cost to participate are:

Pre J (ages 9 & under)
Junior (ages 10-18) $10 per night or $50 for the series
Seniors / Masters (ages 19 +) $15 per night or $60 for the series
Scholarships will be available the night of the race at check in

All racers must wear an approved bicycle helmet and must be able to ride/race safely within a group. Racers may be asked to demonstrate their ability to ride along a per-determined course prior to being allowed to race. Final determinations regarding a racers participation rests with race director.

What is a criterium: A criterium is a race held on a closed course - in this case, the 400 meter Skating Loop at Cuddy Park. The race is timed and racers will ride as many laps as they can within the time allowed. Once time has expired, a bell will be rung and racers will finish their last lap following the bell. When they cross the finish line their time will be recorded (all except the Pre J group, for whom times will not be kept or posted). The finishing time of each racer will be divided by the number of laps completed, to determine each racer's average lap time. That time will then be multiplied by the number of laps completed by person in first place to determine each racer's final adjusted time. Even though the system sounds complicated its used world wide in traditional cycling and Para-cycling races to hold criteriums.

Below is the anticipated schedule for racing for the 2018 series:

AGE / ABILITY	Tri / Bicyclists (C1-C5, T1 - T2)	Handcyclists (H1-H5)	Blind Cyclists (B1 - B3, B+)
PRE J (ages 9 & under)	6:20 PM start, 10 minute race	6:20 pm start, 10 minute race	6:20 pm start, 10 minute race
Juniors (ages 10-18)	6:35 pm start, 15 minute race	6:35 pm start, 15 minute race	6:35 pm start, 15 minute race
Seniors (ages 19-34)	7:00 PM start, 30 minute race	7:35 pm start, 30 minute race	8:15 pm start, 30 minute race
Masters(ages 35+)	7:00 PM start, 30 minute race	7:35 pm start, 30 minute race	8:15 pm start, 30 minute race

Interested racers should contact Jeff at (907) 344-7270 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Challenge Alaska cycles can be made available to use for racing with advance notice and planning.

We are also looking for volunteers to help with this racing series. Please contact Jeff at (907) 344-7270 as soon as possible if you'd like to help with this event.