Moab Mountain Bike Camp 2018
Words By Program Services Director, Steve Wallace & photos by Le Grand Adventure Tours
On April 18-22, 2018, the High Fives Foundation hosted the first adaptive mountain bike camp. The camp, functioning as a “pilot event,” saw five adaptive athletes navigating the infamous high dessert terrain and “slick rock” in Moab, Utah.
An accomplished mountain biker prior to his injury, Glenwood Springs, Colo. native, Tim Burr was excited to be included in the camp.
Mountain biking with this group of rad individuals was truly similar to how it used to be. We camped in one of the most beautiful places in the country and we rode hard! I used to do that before my injury, so I’m stoked to have this in my life again!#HighFivesAthlete Tim Burr
Camp participation also included Carbondale, Colo. native Jim Harris and Ryan St. Lawrence from Nashua, NH. Harris is a “walking paraplegic” and rides an able-bodied two-wheel bike, while St. Lawrence navigates the trails on a two-wheel bike fashioned with a supportive seat and an electric motor.
A year ago Ryan and I first met at the CR Johnson Healing Center. Ryan was injured in a mountain bike crash and I was attempting to learn to ride again. Before the conversation was over, we resolved to ride together someday. Thanks to High Fives Foundation, we got that chance!#HighFivesAthlete Jim Harris
Each of the five athletes were paired with a coach so that safety remained the top priority of the camp. Jeff Robertson, Founder of Le Grand Adventure Tours and High Fives Foundation Camp Director mapped out the rides each day and handled logistics for the inaugural camp. He did it with a smile, and plans to grow the camp next year.
“Our first Moab Adaptive Mountain Bike camp was not only a huge success for the athletes but it opened up new doors for next years camp,” gleamed Roberston. “Next year we’ll look to bring on more athletes and provide opportunities for new people to start mountain biking again. The camp will be a day or two longer so we can work on more specific skills as the athletes progress during the camp.”
“I have been with the High Fives Foundation for nearly nine years, and been fortunate to attend many adaptive camps over the years,” says Steve Wallace, Program Services Director of the High Fives Foundation. “This was our first mountain bike camp, and it went amazing! With Jeff’s (Camp Director) help I look forward to reintroducing a new crew of individuals to the trails next year.”
Special Thanks to Leki, Yeti, HiBall, POC, Big Agnes and Rumpl for helping make this camp possible!
In 2018, the High Fives Foundation will host 10 camps helping up to 86 individuals get back to the following passions: Mountain biking, surfing, skiing, snowboarding, fly fishing and camping. Stay tuned for growth in the 2019 High Fives camp schedule!
