More than 120 cyclists are traversing the California coastline to raise funds for athletes with disabilities. The event, known as the Million Dollar Challenge, involves participants cycling an average of 100 miles per day over the course of a week, from Santa Rosa to San Diego. Among the group, 24 cyclists have physical disabilities and utilize specially adapted bikes.
The challenge highlights the difficulties that adaptive athletes face in accessing the necessary equipment. Josh Sweeney, a Paralympic gold medalist in sled hockey, expressed this concern, stating, “We can’t go down to a local bike shop. A lot of the time it’s custom manufacturing, adaptive sports manufacturers all around the world that make this possible. And it’s expensive because it’s custom.” Sweeney, who lost both legs while serving as a Marine Corps Scout Sniper in Afghanistan, is among those benefitting from the fundraising efforts.
The event supports the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), a non-profit organization that provides grants for sports equipment, mentorship, and a sense of community to thousands of athletes each year. Dean Roeper, chairman of the Million Dollar Challenge, emphasized the organization’s role, stating, “For those people to be active and get out into life through sport, it takes a non-profit like ourselves to bridge that gap.”
One participant, Michael Smith, an Army veteran who lost his arm in a hit-and-run, credits CAF for transforming his life. “When you serve 24 years of your life serving this country, and then things start to crumble around you, CAF stepped into my life and said, ‘Recovery through sport is going to be your best way out of this,’” he explained. Smith is now preparing to compete for a spot in the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.
Another cyclist, Ryen Reed, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, is participating in her fourth Million Dollar Challenge. She underscored the importance of giving back to an organization that has positively influenced her life over the past decade. “People are so amazed when they see our bikes and what we can do,” Reed noted. “It inspires me and makes me stronger to help the next generation realize we are capable and able.”
The Million Dollar Challenge aims to raise over $2 million for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. Donations can still be made at give.challengedathletes.org. This initiative not only provides crucial funding for adaptive athletes but also fosters a sense of community and support among participants. Through their efforts, these cyclists demonstrate resilience and inspire others to pursue their athletic dreams, regardless of the obstacles they face.
