Rock County, Wisconsin, home to Janesville and Beloit, is set to host the 2024 Para-cycling Road National Championships June 11-13 to see who is the fastest in the entire country. The three days of racing will be followed by the two-day Associated Bank handcycle series that takes place during the 15th annual Kwik Trip Tour of America's Dairyland (ToAD) series June 14 and 15.
“We, along with our partners, the Janesville Velo Club, are extremely proud to host this year’s edition of USA Cycling’s Para-cycling Road National Championships along with the amazing athletes we have come to know and love over the last number of years – a pure fan favorite!” said ToAD executive director Bill Koch, in a press release.
Para-cycling was initially developed on tandem bikes for vision-impaired atheletes with a sighted pilot, but the category eventually came to include those with cerebral palsy, amputations and other physical impairments. Competitions now include bicycles, tricycles and handcycles. You can learn more at usaparacycling.org or uci.org.
At the National Championship competition in Wisconsin, spectators can witness para-cycling athletes compete in three different races: a road race (a group race with team tactics, drafting and the possibility of a bunch sprint at the end); a time trial (an individual race against the clock); and the team relay (multiple athletes on the same team take turns racing the course).
“We are excited to continue our partnership with U.S. Paralympics Cycling to host this year’s National Championship. ToAD has been an exceptional partner as part of our National Criterium Series, and I look forward to seeing the terrific event they will host on our behalf.” said Kyle Knott, USA Cycling's Director of National Events.
More information about the Para-cycle National Championships will be available at usacycling.org.
Jason McDowell grew up in central Iowa and moved to Milwaukee in 2000 to attend the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
In 2006 he began working with OnMilwaukee as an advertising designer, but has since taken on a variety of rolls as the Creative Director, tackling all kinds of design problems, from digital to print, advertising to branding, icons to programming.
In 2016 he picked up the 414 Digital Star of the Year award.
Most other times he can be found racing bicycles, playing board games, or petting dogs.