Craig Hospital VOLUNTEER Cycling - Colorado

**Private Event - Registration Open to Volunteers ONLY**​

Participants meet with the Craig Hospital CTRS and Adaptive Adventures staff individually to assess safety, cycling abilities, endurance level, and proper fitting of equipment (upright, tandem, trike, or handcycle).  Small group treatment sessions will include discussions on the benefits of exercise, motivational techniques (i.e. charting progress in time, distance, and/or terrain), training and practice on cycling skills, traffic etiquette, safety, and dealing with emergencies or mechanical failures. Cycling groups will consist of learning about and engaging in opportunities in the home communities. The goal of the cycling program is for each participant to be at a functionally independent level for participation in community cycling.  

Therapeutic Cycling Benefits

• Enhance body image perceptions
• Improve gross/fine motor skills, cooperation skills, coping skills, life satisfaction, mobility, ROM, appetite, strength, locomotion, development
• Increase immune system activity, attention span, mental alertness, conversation skills, participation in age-appropriate activities
• Reduction in social anxiety, pain, blood pressure, depression, tension, reliance on medication, or sleep disturbances, friendships with peers with and without disabilities, parenting skills, bone strength
• Prevent social isolation; Develop/maintain social skills
• Information provided by NCRTA

General Cycling Health Benefits

• Low impact – it causes less strain and injuries than most other forms of exercise.
• A good muscle workout – cycling uses all of the major muscle groups as you pedal.
• Easy – unlike some other sports, cycling does not require high levels of physical skill. Most people know how to ride a bike and, once you learn, you don’t forget.
• Good for strength and stamina – cycling increases stamina, strength, and aerobic fitness.
• As intense as you want – cycling can be done at very low intensity, to begin with, if recovering from injury or illness, but can be built up to a demanding physical workout.
• A fun way to get fit – the adventure and buzz you get from coasting down hills and being outdoors mean you are more likely to continue to cycle regularly, compared to other physical activities that keep you indoors or require special times or places.
• Information provided by Better Health Channel

For Questions, please contact Chris Wiegand at: wiegand@adaptiveadventures.org

As of June 15, 2022, Adaptive Adventures will continue to encourage all participants, family and volunteers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. However, this is no longer a requirement to participate in Adaptive Adventures programs. Due to the nature of Adaptive Adventures’ extensive mobile programs and collaborations, individuals may be requested to provide adequate proof of vaccination status at the time of the program as other organizations, entities and venues may have differing requirements.