Paracycling will highlight a major event in Grand Junction later this month that is bound to have us cheering for some amazing athletes.

The 2017 USA Cycling Collegiate and Para Road National Championships will be held in Grand Junction April 27-30.

The four-day event will feature some open class and collegiate racing - and that will be great fun - but the highlight for me will be paracycling.

If you don't know exactly what paracycling is, it is the sport of cycling for individuals with disabilities. Colin Lynch is a paracycler who says on his website these disabilities could range from blindness and visual impairment to missing limbs, or even cerebral palsy among other things.

You may see these paracycling athletes riding handcycles, tandem bikes, and for those that lack the ability to balance - giant tricycles that keep them from falling over. These athletes compete all over the country, demonstrating tremendous courage, strength, and determination. Behind everyone of these athletes is an untold story.

This Grand Junction event is really four events in one and is being hosted by the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission and Colorado Mesa University. Racing venues will include Glade Park, Whitewater, and downtown Grand Junction. There will be plenty of opportunities for spectators and for volunteers.

Come on out and cheer for all of the athletes, but give an extra large cheer for the amazing paracyclists as they compete in Grand Junction.

 

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