Handcyclists to hold national series races at Tour de Nez presented by Northstar-at-Tahoe
Competitors will race in all three events at Reno-Tahoe’s four-day cycling festival

RENO, NV (May 18, 2010) — Since 2006, some of the strongest athletes at the Tour de Nez have cycled on three wheels, and pedaled their bikes with race-hardened arms.
As the Tour de Nez has grown popular for its time trials and fast-paced circuit races, some of the top handcyclists in the nation have been in the thick of the competition. As a stop on the U.S. Handcycling Federation’s national racing series, the three races from June 17-19 in Sparks, Reno and Northstar-at-Tahoe have integrated handcyclists into contests that include pro men, pro women and masters.
“It’s one of our staple events,” said Ian Lawless, U.S. Handcycling Federation’s executive director. “The Tour de Nez has been a good ally. They represent what we do, and that is about integration — we put able-bodied cyclists and disabled cyclists in front of the same crowds.”
The athletes, most of whom have either spinal chord injuries or are double amputees, are top-level cyclists who compete across the country in a series of events, including the Tour de Nez, for a chance to be crowned national series champion.
“Most of the handcyclists on the paralympic team are training 13 to 20 hours a week just like pro cyclists,” said Lawless.
The sport requires enormous arm and core body strength, as the seated competitor cranks the pedals of the handcycle with his or her upper body.
“From a kinesiology perspective and a science perspective, they shouldn’t be going as fast as they are,” said Lawless.
The handcycling competitions have grown into a fan favorite, and handcyclists will compete in all three venues — the Sparks time trial, downtown Reno race, and the Northstar-at-Tahoe circuit.
“We do a lot of criteriums [short, circuit races], because it is a great way to showcase the athleticism of the participants,” said Lawless. “I think the spectators are genuinely impressed and they let the athletes know.”
Tour de Nez Founder and Race Director Tim Healion said he is pleased to once again have handcyclists featured in the Tour de Nez races.
“It’s an important aspect of bike racing,” said Healion. “Many times it is either/or — it’s a disabled sports event or an able-bodied sports event. I think it is important to integrate the two.”
The Tour de Nez begins June 17 in Sparks with a downtown time trial and continues through June 20 with events in downtown Reno and the Northstar-at-Tahoe village. Live music, festival-style competitions like the bike messenger-inspired Tour de N’Alley Cat and the Clunker Classic, an expo and parties are all part of the Tour de Nez’s four-day “celebration of cycling.”

For more information on the Tour de Nez visit www.tourdenez.org.