GOOD NEWS!

We are pleased to announce that Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) (www.ChallengedAthletes.org) has awarded an equipment grant to Talmadge for a new tandem road bike. We feel extremely fortunate--and very grateful-- that Talmadge has been selected for this grant.

THANK YOU, CAF

Challenged Athletes Foundation is a major presence in the athletic community, raising large sums of money every year so that athletes can purchase equipment, training, and travel. Challenged athletes compete all over the world in the races of their choice. Many triathlon clubs hold fundraisers for CAF and supply volunteers for CAF events. Since its inception, CAF has advocated for the right of challenged athletes to compete in mainstream athletic events. It is so exciting to witness, and be part of, the expanding ripple effect of this terrific organization.

THE SPIRIT OF CAF

Not only does Challenged Athletes Foundation support athletes with monetary grants, it celebrates the courage and perseverance of these athletes. CAF embraces the theme that all people can enjoy full participation in sports and life. Anyone who has attended the CAF San Diego Triathlon Challenge and experienced this unique and amazing celebration will not soon forget it. The goodwill at this event carries Talmadge, and our whole family, through the next year.

BUILDING TALMADGE’S BIKE

We have chosen Santana Tandem (www.SantanaTandem.com) in La Verne, California, to build Talmadge’s new bike. Santana is one of the most experienced builders of custom tandems and is a 30-minute drive from our home. Santana’s president, Bill McCready, is committed to making this project work for Talmadge and has agreed to provide modifications as Talmadge changes or gets new guide riders. The new tandem will be lighter, faster, and more portable than Talmadge’s current tandem recumbent. So a big thank you to Bill and Santana Tandem.

The accessories on this bike will be indicative of the kind of life we hope to live. Among the accessories for the Team Niobium tandem, a light and durable race-ready frame, will be a system that will allow for guide riders of different heights. With quick-change handlebar stems, Talmadge’s 5’ 5” mother will be able to ride the bike as well as guide riders over 6’. The roof rack will be the ATOC (www.Atoc.com) Tandem Topper. A tandem can be loaded by one person in less than a minute with ATOC’s “unique pivoting system.” S&S Coupling (www.SandSMachine.com) will allow the bicycle frame to separate for packing and travel. The Airliner SafeCase, which was designed and built for Santana, is a vault-like case that protects the disassembled tandem during transport. The frame couplers and case will allow us to use airlines, taxis, and small rental cars to reach events. Talmadge’s cycling world has just expanded beyond Southern California.

One more time: thank you to everyone involved.

Many thanks to my friend, Thom Rutledge, author of Embracing Fear, (www.ThomRutledge.com) for editing this article.

-Georgia Atkins, July 2007