Mover Mike

Coming up this month is Sadler's Ultra Challenge.

The Sadler's Ultra Challenge has been referred to as the "holy grail" of wheelchair and handcycle racing. It is the longest wheelchair and handcycle race in the world. Athletes travel from around the globe to participate in this six day 267 mile test of athleticism.

Our daughter Erica leaves for Alaska on July 15th, to be a driver assisting the handcyclers in the race and in particular one Joe Dowling, who is 66 and lives in Connecticut. He became disabled after Polio at the age of thirteen in 1952. Erica became interested in the race after a friend of hers was paralyzed in a tragic diving accident

Erica's job will be to drive behind her racer, providing food and water, perhaps carrying spare parts and the regular wheelchair when the race is over for the day. I have asked Erica to blog about the race and the incredible stamina and will it requires from the athletes, as she drives from Fairbanks to Anchorage. I have asked her to give us a feel for Alaska, she has never been there before, and seek out evidence of global warming. I have heard that there have been some major changes in the forests and tundra. She has agreed and I look forward to her reports.