WHITINSVILLE – Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC) is partnering with All Out Adventures (AOA) to offer a series of free adaptive cycling events this spring on the Blackstone River Bikeway/Greenway in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The series kicks off with four rides for veterans along the Blackstone River Bikeway in Worcester, made possible by a Veterans Adaptive Sports Grant secured by All Out Adventures. Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces, and their loved ones, are encouraged to attend. The four events fall on the following Tuesdays: April 13 and 27, May 11, and June 1 and depart from the Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center in Worcester. The rides are available between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., by reservation only. 

Following the rides for veterans, the adaptive cycling series continues with programs for the general public, including all ages and all abilities. In recognition of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s “Celebrate Trails Day” on Saturday, April 24, BHC and AOA will host an adaptive cycling ride on the Blackstone River Greenway in Blackstone. Cycling opportunities will include the new wheelchair tandem bicycle that BHC acquired last year through a grant from the network of the National Library of Medicine, New England Region. Reservations are required for the scheduled rides between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. This event is presented in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and Bike-On of Warwick, RI. BHC is dedicating this event to the memory of Margaret Carroll, who inspired bringing adaptive recreation to the Blackstone River Bikeway/Greenway.

For the first time since BHC and AOA have partnered on offering free adaptive cycling programs together starting in 2017, two events will be hosted in Rhode Island this spring along the Blackstone River Bikeway in Lincoln, RI, on Tuesday, May 4, and Tuesday, May 18. These events are presented in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Bike-On of Warwick, RI. Both events will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., by reservation only.

To register for these events, call All Out Adventures at 413-584-2052 or email [email protected]. All Out Adventures will spend time talking with each individual to learn about their disability to select the proper piece of equipment ranging from single and tandem recumbent trikes to two-wheel tandem and upright and low style handcycles. Find more event details at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org/events. 

 Front: Ellie Guild; rear: Susan Halpin of Network of the National Library of Medicine, New England Region.

Due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, participants who need assistance with self-care or transfers must bring and participate with their caregiver. Unlike previous events, volunteers will not be assisting participants with the equipment, nor will they be riding on any tandem equipment. Face masks must be worn, and all equipment will be sterilized between rides.

To learn more about All Out Adventures and other recreational programs it offers to people with disabilities and their family and friends, visit AllOutAdventures.org. To learn more about the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, visit BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.