The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals.
Although Colorado’s rugged terrain is an ideal playground for mountain bikers, the obstacle that often prevents people with disabilities from joining in the fun isn’t made of rock: It’s money. Three- and four-wheel adaptive mountain bikes with electric pedal assist can cost up to $17,000 apiece.
Thankfully, the National Sports Center for the Disabled is tackling that problem. Founded in 1970 as a ski school for people with amputations, the Winter Park–based nonprofit, which recently moved its Front Range office from Denver to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden, raised $120,000 to buy eight hand cycles (road bikes) and six adaptive mountain bikes, which can now be seen bombing up and down trails in Golden, Boulder, and Denver.
Join the attack from August 23 to 25, when the center hosts its Spinal Cord Injury Mountain Bike Camp at Winter Park for adults older than 18. If shredding brown pow isn’t your thing, don’t worry: This month’s programming includes a youth climbing camp (August 5 to 8), a whitewater rafting excursion on Clear Creek, and its first sailing classes at Cherry Creek Reservoir for adults (August 4) and youth (August 25).
