Training for my Paralympic Dream is a full time job and took up most of my time, energy, and thought. But, when working towards that goal, I had to also find balance with my family. My family is my number one support throughout my cycling journey. Not only has my wife shared in the tragedy of me getting my spinal cord injury, she also shares any and all of my/our accomplishments that I may attain from racing. Now, I am...
People are often asking me about what my biggest takeaway was from my experience in Tokyo. I honestly have to say it was all of it. Even though this was a different Paralympics then any other Paralympics because of the worldly conditions, I made it a point to go there and enjoy every aspect of the experience. My family has sacrificed so much for me to be there over the last 5 years that if I don’t enjoy everything, then...
The time trial for the opportunity to represent Team USA in Tokyo at the Paralympic Games is finally here. It has been a long journey and a lot of my friends and family have sacrificed so much for me to be able to go for this goal. I have a passion for riding my bike and getting faster but, a passion without that support is nothing to me. My wife has been there from day 1 and has seen me...
Traveling internationally for the first time since the pandemic is something I will always remember. Since the first World Cup Race was actually going to take place in Belgium, I was both excited and nervous. Excited because I finally get to compete against some of the best in the world and nervous because I am traveling overseas for the first time in a long time as well as, well I AM COMPETING AGAINST SOME OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD!!!...
Day 1 - TRAVEL DAY As I sit in the terminal waiting to board the flight from Houston to Huntsville, I am relieved when I see my bike and wheels go up the conveyor belt into the airplane. That, to me, is the most stressful part about the travel day is 1, that all my equipment arrives and 2, that it arrives safely. The plan for when I arrive in Huntsville will be pretty easy. Just a van, check into the...
Whats the reward for hard work? More hard work. After having a pretty successful Swamp Classic and getting some of the rust from the lack of racing knocked off, there is no time for celebrations or for time off. This is not one of the goals from this 2021 year. The ultimate goal is the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Since this is the goal, I need to get back to my training sessions right away. Racing is fun and, honestly, the...
Gidday fellow readers, In late January I had a chance to participate on an alpine race camp at Mammoth Mountain with Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, which was made possible to me thanks to PossAbilities. With this same group we did some classes a couple years ago, on what was my return to snowboarding, thanks again to PossAbilities. I stayed in touch w them, and when the opportunity showed up for a skiing camp, I was proactive and asked if they would allow a...
Greetings! Words can't describe the happiness that filled our hearts with the arrival of Stella Barbieri. She came right on the due date, can you believe that?! Everything went well, although there were some nerve wrecking moments during labor, and leading up to it was long and painful. But that's how it is, right Mothers? Congrats to all of you that endure this, it's quite a feat. We men salute you! My days are spent now helping mom, drooling over the baby, sharing...
Aloha fellow Team PossAbilities supporters and enthusiasts! Today we're here to report about the Finals in Rotterdam. Everything about that race was tough: the weather, the course, the competitors. It was the same usual suspects, with varying degrees of disability (and unfairness in some cases as we know). After a smooth 10 hour flight from LAX to Amsterdam, I met with Team Brazil in the airport and we drove to Rotterdam. Beautiful 2 hour drive through green fields, a lot of cattle...
Hello friends of Team PossAbilities! Once again I found myself in Edmonton, in the beautiful state of Alberta, Canada, for some hot racing action. It really takes a village to prime an athlete, it doesn’t happen overnight, and I am so grateful to have these opportunities! Weather was amazing and I was feeling good with my perfomance, had a good run at the end and battled hard to finish 5th. Honestly, frustration is taking over, but I am not gonna give up. Categories...
