Cyclists Journey 600 Miles to Support Disabled Athletes

More than 120 cyclists are currently making a significant journey along the California coast, aiming to raise funds for athletes with disabilities. This initiative, known as the Million Dollar Challenge, involves cycling approximately 100 miles each day for a week, starting from Santa Rosa and culminating in San Diego. Among the participants, twenty-four cyclists have physical disabilities and use specially adapted bicycles to take part in this event.

One of the cyclists, Josh Sweeney from Boise, Idaho, highlighted the challenges faced by adaptive athletes in accessing necessary equipment. “We can’t go down to a local bike shop; it’s hard enough on the internet to find what we need,” he explained. Sweeney, a Paralympic gold medalist in sled hockey, lost both legs above the knee while serving in the Marine Corps in Afghanistan. He emphasized that much of the required equipment is custom-made, which can be prohibitively expensive.

The funds raised through the Million Dollar Challenge will benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides support to thousands of athletes each year. This support includes grants for equipment, mentorship, and fostering a sense of community among adaptive athletes. Dean Roeper, the chairman of the challenge, underlined the importance of such organizations, stating, “For those people to be active and get out into life through sport, it takes a non-profit like ourselves to bridge that gap.”

Many participants in the challenge have personal stories that illustrate the profound impact of the foundation. Michael Smith, an Army veteran who lost his arm in a hit-and-run accident, credits the Challenged Athletes Foundation with saving his life. “CAF stepped into my life and said, ‘Recovery through sport is going to be your best way out of this,’” he shared. Smith is now preparing to compete for a spot in the LA 2028 Paralympics.

Another participant, Ryen Reed, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, is participating in her fourth Million Dollar Challenge. “The least I can do is give back to an organization that helped me so much over the last decade,” Reed stated. She expressed pride in demonstrating what adaptive athletes can achieve. “People are so amazed when they see our bikes and what we can do,” she said, adding that the experience motivates her to inspire others.

The Million Dollar Challenge is set to raise over $2 million, with donations still being accepted at the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s website. The participants not only advocate for themselves but also for future generations of athletes with disabilities, ensuring that the necessary resources and support continue to be available.