Cycling to the sea once again

Six years ago while in physical therapy, Jacob Conley’s physical therapist challenged him to take part  in a 180-mile bicycle ride. Conley responded by saying “Don’t challenge me to do something because I will do it.” 

Cycle to the Sea, a 180 mile bicycle ride to North Myrtle Beach, S.C., broken up into 60 mile increments across three days, raises funds and awareness for Carolinas HealthCare System’s Carolinas Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program. Held annually, Cycle to the Sea involves athletes with physical disabilities who cycle on hand cycles and/or tandem bikes. In order to participate, each rider must obtain individual pledges. 

Conley, who has cerebral palsy, rides a hand cycle, which is a lowered bicycle with two coasting rear wheels and a steerable front wheel. When he first began training for the event six years ago, he struggled to even ride a mile. This year when he began training in mid-January, he rode 21 miles the first day out. 

Conley said he likes to train three days each week. His goal is to be up to 30 miles per day now. This is his first year on his new hand cycle, which he said has made him faster. Last year he put 1,000 miles on it, and is on track to break that number this year. 

During Cycle to the Sea participants ride as a group. Each hand cyclist has an able-bodied partner riding with them, and the larger group is divided into a fast group and a slow group. Riders are almost bumper to bumper, Conley described, and riders travel through small towns rather than via Interstate. 

“People will be on their front porches waving to us as we pass,” he said. 

The ideal riding temperature is 72 degrees, and rain definitely makes the ride more difficult. 

“It spins up off the tires into your face,” he explained. 

There are designated stops along the ride course, and each night is spent in a hotel. The overnight stays, Conley said, have given him an opportunity to make new friends, and he looks forward to visiting with them again this year. 

“The first year I really wasn’t able to spend time with the group because I was so tired each day after riding,” he said. “Now I look forward to finishing every night and cooking out and just hanging out.”  

Everybody has a story and a reason they ride, Conley said. And rather than focus on their disabilities, the ride gives everyone a chance to focus on what they can do.

“It’s like a big party - a celebration of everyone’s abilities and their achievements, which is a great thing,” Conley explained. “We’ve had able-bodied people say they feel left out because they have no disability. It’s a great thing to be a part of.” 

Conley’s fundraising goal for 2015 is $2,000. Donations may be made online by visiting cycletothesea.org and searching for Jacob Conley.