The Para Cycling Commission held yet another successful come and try event in Corkagh Park on Sat 29th August. With most of the Elite Squad and Management in Rio on a recon mission for the Para Olympic games next year and the final preparations for the Invacare Academy squad that are travelling to Prague to battle it out for the last available road qualification points of 2015 its busy times in Para Cycling.
After an early morning training session, the Academy squad made themselves available for a meet and greet from 10am onwards with plenty of new faces making the journey. These events have proven not just an education for the athletes of the future with some touching base with competitive sport for the first time but also that of the parents and family members as they chatted about new devices and technology that will aid with the livelihood of the person with the disability in their day to day life. The day was also attended by prosthesis fitters from Cappagh hospital and also physiotherapists that are looking to using cycling as part of the rehabilitation process of that of their patients. Neill Harvey from Invacare Ireland also made a surprise visit to see the progress being made after the huge dedication and investment Invacare Ireland have made to the sport over the years.
Out on the track in perfect conditions new comers got familiar with the various bikes with some of the riders that have attended previous events showing huge improvements as they got familiar with the 1.1Km track. Two tandems coupled with five hand bikes were available for people to try and with the experience of the riders from the Academy squad there was plenty of advice and tips. The Slevin family were on hand to provide tea, sandwiches and refreshments to a crowd of approx 50 with yet again the staff at the Green Isle Hotel adjacent to Corkagh Park making the day possible by helping with some of the logistics and storage of bikes that were transported for the day.
