Cyclists Embark on 1,000-Mile Journey to Support Disabled Athletes

More than 120 cyclists are traversing the California coastline, aiming to raise over $2 million for athletes with disabilities. This challenging event, known as the Million Dollar Challenge, spans approximately 1,000 miles from Santa Rosa to San Diego, with participants averaging 100 miles daily over the course of a week. Among the cyclists, 24 individuals have physical disabilities and utilize specially adapted bikes.

Josh Sweeney, a Paralympic gold medalist in sled hockey, highlighted the challenges faced by adaptive athletes. “We can’t go down to a local bike shop; it’s hard enough on the internet to find what we need,” said Sweeney, who lost both legs while serving as a Marine Corps Scout Sniper in Afghanistan. Custom equipment is often necessary and can be prohibitively expensive.

The fundraising efforts support the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), an organization dedicated to providing grants for equipment, mentorship, and community for disabled athletes. “If you look around you, you’ll see a lot of adaptive athletes, hand cycles, missing limbs,” said Dean Roeper, chairman of the Million Dollar Challenge. “For those people to be active and get out into life through sport, it takes a non-profit like ourselves to bridge that gap.”

CAF plays a vital role in the lives of many athletes. Michael Smith, an Army veteran who lost his arm in a hit-and-run accident, credits the foundation with helping him reclaim his life. “When you serve 24 years of your life serving this country, then things start to crumble around you,” Smith explained. “CAF stepped into my life and said, ‘Recovery through sport is going to be your best way out of this.’ Because of them, now I’m putting my bid in for the LA 2028 Paralympics.”

Ryen Reed, a cyclist born with Cerebral Palsy, is participating in her fourth Million Dollar Challenge. She expressed her gratitude for the foundation’s support over the years: “The least I can do is give back to an organization that helped me so much.” Reed noted the astonishment of others when they see her and other adaptive athletes in action. “People are so amazed when they see our bikes and what we can do.”

The challenge not only raises significant funds but also seeks to inspire and empower both athletes and the community. As the cyclists make their way down the coast, they embody resilience and determination, showcasing the capabilities of adaptive sports.

Those interested in supporting this cause can still contribute at give.challengedathletes.org. This initiative not only aims to provide financial assistance but also to spread awareness about the challenges faced by athletes with disabilities and the transformative power of sport.