Each Olympic Games is followed by the Paralympics where people with a Disability perform amazing feats notwithstanding their patent physical limitations. Recreational Road Cycling is characterised by a disproportionate distribution of HardHeads. These DieHards display an obstinacy beyond the norm because at some time in their past they have been down and out and crawled their way back. HardHeads are the ones who turn up rain, hail or shine. If there is a new challenge, these folk jump to the front of the queue.

A similar example of the considerable benefit of a positive mindset is evident from reading 50+ Blogs in a website, www.NoelDavies.com - written by the cycle buddies of a seriously injured cyclist, Noel Davies, who was hit by a car on 23 December '06 whilst on a group bike ride in Newcastle.

Noel recovered in John Hunter Hospital from a neck injury, a broken leg, a fractured pelvis, a punctured lung and internal bleeding, after losing a lot of blood. www.NoelDavies.com contains initially hourly and daily updates on Noel's recovery. Each of the 50+ blog updates contains positive messages and photos of Noel's recovery. Noel's cycle friends know no other way but to believe in maximising Noel's recover opportunities. There has been no "woe is Noel" in any Blog. Conversely, people who have not evidenced/experienced hard exercise and associated mental discipline would likely be conveying, "Did you hear about poor old Noel?"

Paraplegics are increasingly using Hand Cycles. Greg Hockensmith is the USA ranked # 1 handcyclist in his class by the International Paralympics Committee. Peter Allen in WA is just one of a burgeoning band of Hand Cyclists from W.A.

The Event Organiser, Phil Johnston, has met and spoken with the CEO, Jim O'Brien, and a head rehab physio, Kelvin Smith, of Wheelchair Sports Assoc NSW (and NSW Dept of Health) who are directly involved with rehab following spinal injuries at Moorong Spinal Unit Ryde NSW and encouraging patients into various wheelchair sports, incl Hand Cycling.

There are various manufacturers of Hand Cycles and modified bicycles for the Disabled, incl:

One of the 8 Days of Climbs will cater to up to 100 Disabled participating in 2 KOM Climbs. It will be hugely popular and provide human interest stories of resilience beyond comprehension and unearth another world champion for a 4 episode Reality Television Series [Section 13B(e)] two episodes seeking to uncover another World Class Disabled Athlete and exposing enormous resilience and fortitude by a handful of disabled who overcome enormous odds to compete in the Disabled Finals day.

Unlike the 21 Age Divisions for Abled males and females where the lowest aggregate Climb Time over the 3 KOM Climbs will be the Age Division Winner, the 10 Disabled Category Winners of the 5 Disabled Categories will be determined by a panel of 4 Independent Judges from the following to have won their Disabled Category by cycling up 2 KOM Climbs on Saturday 21 May 2011:

Hence, the fastest KOM Climber in a Disabled Category may not be awarded the Winner of that Disabled Category because of varying degrees of Disability, coupled with age, which cannot easily be weighted within only 5 Categories which cover both sexes for 10 KOM Challenge Series Winner Trophies.

Adversity brings out the best in athletes, particularly older ones who have experienced the ups and downs of life and survived some hot kitchens.

In 2005 the Event Organiser spoke to David Short a few times and exchanged a handful of e-mails when David was coach of the Disabled elite cyclists administered by APC. David has moved to a different position within APC. However, the Event Organiser understands that another cycle coach organises regular training sessions at Dunc Grey for interested Disabled Cyclists.

Input from a handful of physiotherapists, preferably with sports experience, will be required due to the variety and extent of various Disabilities. As APC's charter includes the following, hopefully APC will assist administer weekly group training sessions at say 2 velodromes in Sydney to provide training, encouragement and support.

(i)        facilitates athlete success at Paralympic Games and other major international sporting events;

(ii)       encourages people with disabilities to participate in sport; and

(iii)      provides information on athletes, sports, news, results, history and a calendar of events.

The guidance and assistance a blind or deaf person would require will vary markedly to the assistance someone suffering back pain will require. As noted in Section 10(a), some suffers of back pain reduce their discomfort from strengthening their core muscles and increasing mobility from Pilates and cycling.

Evidencing other Disabled improve their cycling performance can have a marvellous Knock-On therapeutic effect on other Disabled. The old saying, "No pain, No gain" doesn't apply to suffers of back pain. Hence, the need for physiotherapy supervision to assist Disabled improve in acceptable increments. Conversely, some suffers of mental and behavioural disorders eg 'Obsessive Compulsives' or depression/mood effective may need encouragement to push beyond their perceived comfort zone.

The Event Team is keen to liaise with Jim O'Brien, CEO, Wheelchair Sports Association NSW [Section 13B(c)] and the Australian Paralympics Committee [Section 13B(b)], as well as the following Govt agencies for support and promotion for both the Abled and Disabled Annual KOM Challenge Series: