This weekend on Saturday, July 16, the Ability Tour is offering RaceJoy to its participants and spectators as part of the day’s experience. The inclusive bicycle event, organized by Peckham, Inc., is dedicated to raising awareness for people of ALL abilities and embraces those with disabilities so that they too can enjoy the road. The proceeds from the Ability Tour go directly toward equipping other recreational events with the resources and accommodations to make race events more accessible for all.
This event is very unique in its effort to create an opportunity for people with disabilities to experience a cycling event that many would not be able to experience on their own. The race provides assistive technology, including handcycles, tricycles, recumbents and tandems. In addition, the event offers staff member support for those that need assistance on the course.
“The Ability Tour has taken the universal design philosophy and applied it to a bicycle tour. Accessibility for individuals who use a wheelchair or individuals with cognitive impairments has been addressed in every phase of the tour. Everyone has the opportunity to push themselves by riding with the fastest cyclists in the state to the individuals completing their first 8 mile ride with a companion cyclist.”
– John Waterman, Programs to Educate All Cyclists
The Ability Tour offers multiple course options on race day, including 8, 30 or 50-mile loops. Riders can also choose to complete the 50-mile loop twice for a century!
The courses begin at Peckham, Inc. in Lansing, MI and take scenic roads that are sure to please. The roads are very well-marked and extremely bicycle friendly. There will be SAG services and aid stations along the way for basic bike repairs, food, beverages and even Frisbees! Lunch is Chipotle!
As part of this year’s event, race organizers are adding RaceJoy as a complimentary service for participating riders and their supporting family and friends. By including RaceJoy, those who download the app and carry their phone on race day will have access to live cyclist tracking on an interactive map view. Friends and family, both at the race site and from their homes, can track participants and know exactly where they are along the course.
Participants and spectators will also receive GPS-based progress alerts that include information like pace and estimated finish time. The alerts will be sent out every 5 miles along the course. Participants have the option to post these alerts to their personal Facebook and Twitter walls in real-time.
Another popular feature available for free is Send-a-Cheer, which includes the ability to instantly send fun, pre-recorded cheers or personalized Text-to-Cheer messages any time before, during or after the race.
We are excited to be apart of this year’s Ability Tour and look forward to changing the race experience together! Good luck riders – it’s time to get your bike on!
Peckham is a nonprofit community vocational rehabilitation organization that provides job training and competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
You can offer advanced tracking and cheers at your next race by creating a race in RaceJoy at no cost and in a few simple steps through RaceJoy’s Website or your RunSignUp dashboard. If you would like to provide these features to your participants for free, please see our buyout options during the RaceJoy setup.
