Competitor Monica Bascio, one of two women competing in the hill climb race.
After reading this article on Mountain Flyer about the Handcycling championships, I was smiling! I love seeing new ways people enjoy mountain biking! I sent the photo out to a couple friends and this is what Mitch Westall said…
Having had a C1 neck break and a T9 compression. I stepped in similar shoes, only for a short while, and I can tell you it shook me to the core. To be told, I would never ride a bike again. To realize that your dreams / hopes, daily life will be forced to change.
These brave people adapted, altered, refocused their life. They found enjoyment similar to us in getting outside in beautiful country and racing.
Handcycle racers are exactly like every true Mountain Biker — when you fall down, you pick yourself up, brush off the blood, ignore the pain, and get right back on the bike and plug away — continue on.
They inspire me to not let shit in life get in my way of enjoying life.
– Mitch Westall
Well said Mitch! 🙂
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Great message by Mitch there. I went to college with Matt Updike the handcycle master before he had his accident. He is an inspiring guy.