(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
Portland International Raceway (just north of the Kenton Neighborhood) is set to host yet another type of bicycling to its schedule. I’ve recently reported on the mountain bike and road bike racing that happens out there and I’ve also shared the annual human powered vehicle event that takes place each year.
Now handcycling has find a home out at PIR.
Last week, disabled persons non-profit Incight and Oregon Disability Sports announced their first annual Summer Handcycling Series that will begin this coming Tuesday (7/10) and will run through August 28th.
Incight’s program coordinator Christine Getman says they hope the new series will help promote mobility and create a sense of camaraderie among handcycle riders and our community. Getman shared a few more thoughts with me via email:
“We created this event to bring handcycling enthusiasts together, as well as raise awareness about alternative and adaptive cycling options. We feel as though handcycling is viewed and marketed as a disability sport, though it doesn’t have to be. You will notice that we don’t use the word “disability” in any of our promotional materials (aside from Oregon Disability Sports being our partner).”
People who venture out to the Tuesday night series will get to meet Olympic Medalist and National Handcycling Champion Craig Blanchette. Blanchette used to ride his handcycle alongside standard bikes at the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association’s (OBRA) Tuesday Night Races at PIR, but his three-wheeled cycle was eventually prohibited. Blanchette sees the new series as a way for new and experienced handcycle riders to enjoy a safe environment and to raise the public profile of the activity.
Getman says everyone is welcome at the events; even folks who don’t need to ride a handcycle. There will be some extra handcycles on hand for novice riders (they’re also looking for donations of additional equipment), and Getman adds that the bikes are a great upper-body workout.
Back in 2007, I joined local handcycling advocate Ian Jaquiss for a spin on a handcycle. I loved the new perspective and the new workout the bike gave me.
The new series starts July 10th from 5-6:00 pm. If you’re curious about handcycling, or know someone who might be interested in giving it a try, check out PDX Handcycling on Facebook.