Para Cycling

Cycling has been part of the Paralympic Games since 1992 although athletes with a disability have been competing in cycling since the early 1980s. Para athletes compete in Road, Track, and Mountain Bike events in Alberta.

PROVINCIAL ROAD RACING:

• Athletes new to racing who ride on a 2 wheel bike, including tandems, are encouraged to register in the Citizen or Cat 4 category.   There is no separate para category for 2 wheel bikes and athletes race with multi gender and multi ability.
• Athletes earn points based on results to move up a category, click here to find out more.  Exceptions may be made for athletes who race internationally and are asked to contact James at jkendal@albertabicycle.ab.ca  should they be interested in upgrading.
• Hand Cyclists and Trike racers have their own category, or are integrated in a different way as their equipment handles differently than a 2 wheel bike. Three wheel athletes are encouraged to contact Petrina at coach@albertabicycle.ab.ca  to find out about opportunities.
• The ABA offers coached programming to help introduce Para Athletes to training and racing.  Please contact Sam at events@albertabicycle.ab.ca  to find out more.

PROVINCIAL TRACK RACING:

• Athletes interested in racing on the velodrome must be able to ride a 2 wheel bike, including a tandem.  Hand bikes and trikes are not able to stay on the banked surface.  
• There are 2 velodromes in Alberta, an outdoor 400m track in Calgary and an indoor 250m track in Edmonton.  Please reach out to them regarding training programming. 
• Athletes are encouraged to do all the timed events, individual pursuit, time trial, and 200m sprint qualifier.  If you are interested in racing in the bunch events please contact the race organizer or Petrina at coach@albertabicycle.ab.ca  to help determine the best category and races for you.

PROVINCIAL MOUNTAIN BIKE RACING:

• E-assist hand bike races have begun to be introduced to the Alberta race calendar.  Please reach out to James at jkendal@albertabicycle.ab.ca  for more information.
• If you are interested in racing on dirt please reach out to Petrina at coach@albertabicycle.ab.ca  for more information
  
  

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS:

• In order to race at a National or International event a Para athlete must be classified.  This process involves a meeting with an official classifier who will ask the athlete questions and perform certain tests to determine their level of ability.  The classifier will then assign the athlete to a category listed below.  If you are interested in being classified please reach out to Petrina at coach@albertabicycle.ab.ca 

• Handbikes with 5 sub-categories (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5)

• Tandem (stoker + Pilot) (B)

• Tricycles with 2 sub-categories (T1-T2)

• 2 wheel bikes (Upper or/and Lower body disability, amputation, Cerebral Palsy, etc.)  with 5 sub-categories(C1, C2, C3, C4, C5)

PILOTS

Pilots are able body riders who ride the front of a tandem and are paired with a seeing impaired cyclist, the stoker, who rides behind the pilot.  The ABA is looking for people interested in piloting and who are legally blind to try road and track cycling.  If you are interested please contact Petrina at coach@albertabicycle.ab.ca 

There are some restrictions to athletes wishing to pilot on a National and International level, including:

• Amateur riders may race as pilots, provided they have not been selected by their national federation for any of the UCI-listed events in the previous three calendar years.

• No professional riders may compete as a pilot.
• An ex-professional rider must not have held a professional license for three calendar years and must not be earning all or part of his/her living from cycle racing for a period of three calendar years.