Believe it or not, there are a number of ways to get back out on the open road. One of the latest is the Can-Am Spyder. It is a three wheeled bike but it is not your average trike. The Spyder is a reverse trike. It has two wheels in the front and one in the back. If it reminds you of a jet-ski or a snowmobile, it's because the company that produces them, Bombardier, is also a leading manufacturer of snowmobiles, ATVs, and Sea Doo jet-skis.

It has all of the options that someone with mobility problems would need. You have the choice of foot shift or electric push-button shifting. It has reverse for those that can't get off of the bike and push it if you get into a tight spot. Many people have problems with trikes because they have a tendency to be unstable and seem easy to flip when turning at faster speeds. But the folks at Can-Am took care of that problem too. There is a traction control system, vehicle stability system, and stability control system. These systems work together with the anti-lock braking system to keep all three tires safely on the asphalt. It also has power steering to make turns a little easier since you don't lean this bike like you would your normal two-wheeler.

/Okay...so there is plenty of safety features, where's all the fun stuff? Well Can-Am has managed to keep the fun in the bike while making it safe at the same time. It has a 1000cc engine pushing plenty of speed and torque to the back tire. So much torque that it will even manage a pretty decent burnout despite the traction control system. The Spyder may not lean into corners or split lanes but it does allow the majority of the sensations of riding a motorcycle. The wind is still a factor, the unobstructed view of the environment you are riding through is still there, and, of course, direct contact with the outside elements like the sound of the road humming under the tires and smells of coffee shops, restaurants or the sweet ocean air still reach the senses. And that is what riding is all about isn't it? Being out there, exposed to the elements and soaking in all the Mother Nature can throw our way?

The Spyder will be in the United States in the Fall of 2007 at limited dealerships. The price tag is a little steep, but when you consider all of the technology that is found on this bike compared to your cheaper options, it's really a pretty sweet deal at around $15,000. Now we just have to find somewhere to haul our chairs!

Information and photos used were from http://www.motorcycle-usa.com

Kortney Clemons and Rohan Murphy have a lot in common. They are both students at Penn State, they are both powerlifters, they are both amputees, and they both plan on being at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. But theird stories are very different.

Murphy lost both of his legs when he was 3 because they were underdeveloped. Despite being a double amputee, Murphy's 8th grade gym teacher suggested that he join the school's wrestling team. Little did they know that Murphy would go on to start for his high school wrestling team. And even more surprising, he went on to wrestle at the Division I college level!

Clemons lost his right leg from the knee down in an explosion while serving as a combat medic in Iraq. He was attempting to remove a fellow soldier from an overturned vehicle when the explosion happened. After leaving the Army, Clemons was looking for some kind of sport to get into. That's when he me the Teri Jordan. Jordan is the coach for Penn State's Ability Athletics program.

Now both guys are competitive powerlifters for Penn State and hope to go all the way to the paralympics. Murphy, weighing only 125 lbs, has a max bench of 303 lbs. And Clemons' record is 325 lbs. Clemons also hopes to be competing in the 100-meter race with a personal best of 14.5 secs.

For the full story and more pictures click here.

The Cajun Classic was held this past weekend in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was no surprise that Esther Vergeer(NED) and David Wagner(USA) remain unbeaten so far this year in Women's and Quad's singles. Michael Jeremiasz(FRA) beat Stephane Houdet(FRA) to take the big points in the Men's Singles and to win his first NEC Tour title of the year. Finalists Jeremiasz and Houdet teamed up to win the Men's Doubles and finalists Vergeer and Gravellier(FRA) teamed up to take the Women's Doubles. Quad finalists Wagner and Hunter(CAN) followed the same pattern and teamed up to win the Quad Doubles.

2007 Wheelchair Bodybuilding Nationals Results

Overall Winner- Victor Konovalov

Heavyweight

1st- Victor Konovalov

2nd- Jeffery Snell

3rd- Nick Scott

4th- Josh Dillaberry

5th- Leon Bostick

6th- John McClay

Light Heavyweight

1st- John Quinn

2nd- Jack McCann

Middle Weight

1st- Colt Wynn

2nd- Ludovic Marchand

3rd- Reggie Bennett

Light Weight
1st- Greg Grose

2nd- Jesse McKinny

3rd- Patrick Laugerude

Novice

1st- Andre Hunt

2nd- Frank Trovato

3rd- Ken Rivera

Masters

1st- Jack McCann

2nd- Andre Hunt

3rd- Frank Travato

4th- Ken Rivera

5th- John McClay

For more information and photos click here.

"Germany's Martin Braxenthaler was the toast of the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Turin after he took gold medals in three of the four Alpine skiing disciplines – Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G. As well in 2006 he was the winner of the overall World Cup, the World Cup Slalom and was German champion in Slalom and Giant Slalom. In a glittering Olympic career he also won a clean sweep of four Alpine gold medals in the 2002 Paralympics in Salt Lake City and a bronze in Nagano in the Super G. His successes over the years, both in and out of Olympic competition, have made him the most successful mono-skier in the history of the Paralympic movement. His roll of honour includes overall World Cup titles in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, as well as 2006, and two gold medals and a silver medal in both the 2000 and 2004 World Championships. Braxenthaler, who became paraplegic after an accident at work, has become a great role model for young athletes who benefit from his knowledge and skill."

Photo and text copyright of Laureus Awards

Chicago chosen as the United States' applicant city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games. Let's keep our fingers crossed! (Read More)

US Quad Rugby Association is holding it's annual Post Season Auction. The auction ends this Sunday, the 22nd. Some of the items up for auction include 3 rugby chairs, wheels, and more! Get some new gear and support Quad Rugby while you're at it!(Check it out!)

With all of the violence that has happened on the Virgina Tech campus this week, it got me to thinking about what I would do in a situation like that. Is there anything that I could do to keep from being a "sitting target?"

I found that there is an entire self defense program created and taught by a guy in a chair. Master Jurgen Schmidt founded the International Disabled Self-Defense Association in 1996. He developed the "Defense-Ability" system of self defense which is a modified version of the martial art Combat Hapkido. ( Read More )

I also found the story of Clay Johnson, a martial artist with cerebral palsy. He was picked on for his disability as a child. He finally found someone to teach him American Freestyle Karate and his life changed from that day on. Now he is a member of the American Freestyle Karate Association's Hall of Fame. ( Read More )

I have a great batch of links today. Amputee Mountain Climbers, Paraplegic Skydiving and more. Enjoy

> Double amputee summits Mt. Everest

> Russell is a paraplegic base jumper! Check out his site with pix and a couple of killer videos. (link)

> Wheelchair Tennis - Vergeer, Kunieda and Wagner clinch titles at the Florida Open open.

>Kunieda def. Saida 6-2, 6-3

>Vergeer def. Griffioen 6-1, 6-1

>Wagner def. Norfolk 4-6,6-3, 6-2\

Man this is cool! "Talk about extreme sports! Amputee ice climber Warren Macdonald, and mono-skier Felix Snow slug it out sitting down! " - Wheelchair Boxing

Check out this standing/driving frame for golf - Paragolfer . Link to their site

Mr. Mahesh. "I can dance...... without legs!" (video)

That's it for today. I have some interviews in the works. Come back tomorrow for a new bunch of links