U.S. Para Cyclists Train For Season Start Amid Pandemic

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2021/02/jennifer028-scaled.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:6:{s:5:"width";i:2560;s:6:"height";i:1668;s:4:"file";s:30:"2021/02/jennifer028-scaled.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:19:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-336x219.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:219;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-771x502.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:502;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-768x500.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:500;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"1536x1536";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"jennifer028-1536x1001.jpg";s:5:"width";i:1536;s:6:"height";i:1001;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"2048x2048";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"jennifer028-2048x1334.jpg";s:5:"width";i:2048;s:6:"height";i:1334;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"jennifer028-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-800x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:800;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-477x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:477;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-407x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:407;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"gb-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"gb-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:27:"web-stories-poster-portrait";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-640x853.jpg";s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:853;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"web-stories-poster-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-853x640.jpg";s:5:"width";i:853;s:6:"height";i:640;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"web-stories-poster-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"jennifer028-640x640.jpg";s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:640;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:26:"web-stories-publisher-logo";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"jennifer028-96x96.jpg";s:5:"width";i:96;s:6:"height";i:96;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:21:"web-stories-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:22:"jennifer028-150x98.jpg";s:5:"width";i:150;s:6:"height";i:98;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}s:14:"original_image";s:15:"jennifer028.jpg";}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => Lakeshore Foundation
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1654917242 
1613552430

Para cyclists anticipate the chance to compete again when the domestic season begins in Huntsville this April. Ian Lawless, director of U.S. Paralympics Cycling said the first event will select athletes to compete in Europe on the World Cup circuit, “which is where we can earn our slots for Team USA to compete in Tokyo.” 

It’s been at least a year since many athletes have competed. Like many sports, the para cycling season was upended because of the pandemic. Lawless said it’s been a difficult time for the athletes since most of them had to make major adjustments to start training again. 

The Lakeshore Foundation has served as an official U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training site since 2003. The foundation offers fitness opportunities and competitive sports programs for people with various disabilities and chronic conditions. However, right now, there’s not a paralympian in sight. Officials at Lakeshore said the pandemic has altered many of the training schedules so most athletes aren’t practicing at the facility. 

Jennifer Schuble started cycling in 2007, after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She doesn’t live far from the foundation’s practice site in Homewood, but she’s training on her own.

“I’ve had to change how I do my strength and conditioning and my rehab,” she said. “I’ve done a lot more at the house.” 

Since the pandemic, Schuble says her garage has become her new gym. The five-time paralympic medalist said she’s thankful for Alabama weather because she can still train outside.  

But other para cyclists Schuble knows aren’t as fortunate.

Jim Lehman is one of the national coaches for the U.S. Para Cycling team. He said many of the athletes are training and connecting through Zwift, an online cycling platform.

“Everyone’s still in their own basement or garage, wherever they have their bikes set up on the trainer,” he said. “Zwift allows us to sort of come together in this video game world where we now appear on the screen as these avatars.”

The avatars are based on a person’s height and weight and they can be customized for skin tone, hair color and more. Cyclists can also use a third-party app called Discord to talk with each other during a training ride. 

Lawless, the head of U.S. Paralympics Cycling, said athletes are utilizing every resource available.

“And while it’s not the exact same as racing in a real-world environment, it’s a good simulation of that and it’s a great way for athletes to accomplish their training,” he said.

Schuble, the paralympic medalist, is positive about her training regimen. Though it’s been a long time since her last competition, she’s excited to have an event in her home state this spring. 

“I still have issues to overcome but what better opportunity to just go out and see how I can ride when it’s up I-65,” she said.

The 2021 U.S. Paralympics Cycling Open will include an individual time trial, a road race and two new courses. 

Organizers of the 2021 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games have developed specialized COVID protocols. Officials are expected to make an announcement regarding additional summer events in the coming weeks. 

 

Argentina’s top court upholds Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s corruption conviction

Former Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner — one of Latin America's most recognizable political figures — is facing 6 years in prison and a lifetime ban from office after a major corruption conviction upheld.

The U.S. and China have agreed on a framework to resolve their trade disputes

After two days of talks in London, the U.S. and China have agreed in principle on a framework to carry out an agreement they reached on resolving their trade disputes last month, Chinese state media said.

Alabama executes Gregory Hunt by nitrogen gas for 1988 murder of Karen Lane

Hunt's execution marks Alabama's third this year, on pace to match the six it carried out last year, and the fifth time it used the controversial method.

National Park signage encourages the public to help erase negative stories at its sites

The Department of the Interior is requiring the National Park Service to post signage nationwide by June 13, asking visitors for feedback on any information they feel misrepresents American history.

Looking into Alabama’s ‘Blood Money’: how taxpayers foot the bill for lawsuits by prisoners

The Alabama Department of Corrections settled more than 100 lawsuits against its corrections officers for excessive use of force since 2020. Inmates say officers left them with broken bones and brain damage. Beth Shelburne, a Birmingham-based independent investigative reporter, found that taxpayers are covering the cost in her four-part series for the Alabama Reflector called "Blood Money."

TikTok superstar Khaby Lame was detained by ICE before being allowed to leave the U.S.

Lame, 25, produces nearly silent videos that have made him the most-followed personality on TikTok. But U.S. officials say Lame, an Italian citizen, overstayed his visa earlier this month.

More Arts and Culture Coverage