More than 120 cyclists are currently travelling the length of the California coast, aiming to raise over $2 million for athletes with disabilities. This initiative, known as the Million Dollar Challenge, spans approximately 600 miles from Santa Rosa to San Diego, with participants averaging 100 miles each day over a week.
Among the cyclists are 24 individuals with physical disabilities who utilize specially adapted bikes. Josh Sweeney, a Paralympic gold medalist in sled hockey, highlighted the challenges faced by athletes requiring custom 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, who lost both legs while serving as a Marine Corps Scout Sniper in Afghanistan, emphasized the necessity of specialized manufacturing for adaptive sports.
The funds raised through the event will directly benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting disabled athletes. Its chairman, Dean Roeper, stated that the foundation plays a crucial role in providing necessary resources for athletes to engage in sports. “For those people to be active and get out into life through sport, it takes a non-profit like ourselves to bridge that gap,” he noted.
CAF assists thousands of athletes annually with grants for equipment, mentorship, and fostering a supportive community. Michael Smith, an Army veteran who lost an arm in a hit-and-run incident, credits CAF with transforming his life. “When you serve 24 years of your life serving this country, then things start to crumble around you,” he shared. Smith expressed gratitude for the foundation’s support, stating, “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.”
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,” she remarked. Reed noted the inspiring reactions of those who see her and her fellow athletes in action, particularly when using hand cycles to tackle steep hills. “It inspires me and makes me stronger to help the next generation realize we are capable and able,” she added.
This event not only highlights the resilience and determination of athletes with disabilities but also showcases the community’s collective efforts to support one another in the pursuit of sports and active lifestyles. Individuals interested in contributing to the cause can still donate at give.challengedathletes.org, further amplifying the impact of the Million Dollar Challenge.
