Summit Challenge

It was a great success. Thank you for all the riders, those of you who raised money, volunteers who helped make the day a success, vendors for coming to help tune bikes, food vendors for helping replenish energy after long rides, music after the event and the great weather. It was a fantastic day at the National Ability Center.



In the group of riders we had teams of cyclist from town who pulled and drafted with each other over the long 100 mile course, recreational cyclists who wanted a challenge on the 50 mile ride, hancycles, recumbents, tandem bikes and even those riding an event like this for the first time on the 15 mile ride. Overall everyone challenged their abilities and goals.







I think one of the biggest stories of the day was the story of Teague. Teague did the 100 mile course with one leg pumping in his recumbent bike. I saw Teague near the end of the 15 mile course at about 6:30 am. He had started before 6:00 a.m. bound and determined to make it the whole 100 mile course. He made it back to the NAC a little before 6:00 p.m. What a day for Teague. I can't even imagine what that hill was like coming back out of Heber City towards Kamas. He has my respect and it is neat to see in Teague's case and in the case of many adaptive athletes the goals that are set and then the accomplishment of those goals. I believe this is Teague's third attempt at the 100 miles and he did it. Way to go man!



We had nearly 400 riders this year. We had 40 adaptive riders and each and every person had a goal. It did not matter the ability or disability but it was the goal and the accomplishment of that goal at the end of the day.

Thank you for every person that made this event a success and we hope to see you all back out for Summit Challenge 2012.

If you would like more information on the National Ability Center and its programs and mission, visit discovernac.org

Bigger than Life

Last April Nicole Carollo made the decision to start volunteering in her community. After learning about the National Ability Center through a friend, Nicole decided to attend volunteer orientation and learn more about the organization. Having taught swimming lessons in the past, Nicole decided the Aquatics program was a great place to start her volunteer experience. “As a young child I was first terrified of the water, but soon after, it became my passion and I competed for most of my youth and young adulthood. I'm happy to get back to that and show others that swimming can be fun!” A year later you will find Nicole not only sharing her passion for swimming, but also belaying participants on our indoor climbing wall.

Discovering her own abilities has allowed Nicole the opportunity to grow not only in a volunteer position, but also a recreation enthusiast because prior to volunteering Nicole did not having any climbing experience. “Seeing the determination, persistence and courage from the people that come through the doors of the NAC to take on the climbing wall has been very inspiring”. Nicole is also very thankful for the time Kim Millikan set aside to teach her how to climb.

The energy from NAC staff, together with the participants’ joy and enthusiasm, motivates Nicole to continue her support of the NAC. “Thanks to the staff at the NAC, I feel that I am part of something amazing and bigger than life.”

Summit Challenge and Participant Highlight

As the National Ability Center's Summit Challenge approaches on August 27, we would like to highlight a participant that will be riding with us on the 15 mile course. Richie has been a participant with us for a number of years. He is a regular at the Camp Extreme which is going on this week as well.



Richie has been riding with us this summer on our Tuesday evening bike rides. He rides a tandem bike with our cycling manager Evan or one of our interns Matt. It is always a blast riding with Richie. He is always singing on his bike and he is a blast to talk with during our rides.

Here is Richie getting ready to go climbing on one of the programs at the NAC.



If you would like more information about the Summit Challenge you can go to our website at wwww.discovernac.org

We are looking forward to a great event. Tell your friends about it and we hope to see many of you out for the 15, 50 or 100 mile ride.