350 miles ... 7 days ... BY HAND!

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The Last Seven Miles

After 343 miles, Capitol Ride ‘05 finally made it into Austin after a day of rain and cold wind. In order to make up the remaining seven miles, I will handcycle from home on Tuesday to 6th Street where I will meet the youth from Blaze Sports and Austin’s Mayor Will Wynn, to all cycle up to the south steps of the Capitol. Total mileage at that point will be 351.5 miles. Yahooooo!

As of Day 4, this ride established a personal best for me of 266 miles in four days. Not bad for a 56-year old post-polio/lung cancer survivor!

Day 3

well folks, trust me. It was the shortest day in mileage, 47.2, but the longest in time, 7.5 hours. With a 7-10 mph cold north wind and misting rain in our faces, we left Kingsville under police escort, thanks to the Chamber of Commerce.

Got to meet the Mayor, and got a King ranch hat. HOOOWEEE! Barely made a pre-arranged meeting with a group of physically and cognitively challenged people at La Bonte Park in Corpus. You should have seen the light coming out of their eyes; it was unbelievable. Such innocence and beauty. Wow!

Day 2

Well, after a bit of rain and 74.2 miles, we arrive in Kingsville. I hit a wall at 65 miles, but we made it through in 3:53:07, probably a personal best for me. My team took excellent care of me the whole way. What a great group of guys!

We got an escort through part of today from the friendly police of Rivera, south of Kingsville. There were four members of AARP (American Association Of Retired Persons) waiting for us with a banner that read AARP Kingsville Welcomes Mikail Davenport. How cool!

Day 1

We launched off from South Padre under police escort, thanks to the Town of South Padre Island, and rolled up and over the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway . Cool weather and lovely cloud cover kept things comfortable until we hit Harlingen, when the sun broke out and it got WARM---80 degrees.

Because of the construction on 77 just outside of San Benito, we had to use the service roads all the way into Raymondville. 62.8 miles today. It was tough but we made it.

About the Ride

Mikail, a native Texan, contracted polio at age two. In 2001 he began competing in 5 and 10Ks in his handcycle. In 2002, Mikail conquered another daunting health challenge: lung cancer. Less than one year after doctors removed 1/3 of his left lung, Mikail successfully completed the 2003 Motorola Marathon. Mikail is rigorously training for Capitol Ride `05, the long-distance endurance ride that will raise awareness of the capability of people with disabilities and cancer survivors. He and a support team will travel through Harlingen, Kingsville, Robstown, Beeville, Kenedy, Seguin and San Marcos on the way to Austin. Kids with disabilities from Blaze Sports Austin will join Mikail on his glorious last mile up Congress Avenue to the Texas State Capitol.

Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD)

CTD member Mikail is rigorously training for this long-distance endurance ride to raise awareness of the capability of people with disabilities and cancer survivors. Mikail personifies the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities' mission statement of ensuring that people with all disabilities have the right and opportunity to live, learn, work, play and participate fully in the community of their choice. Please invest in this public awareness opportunity as a Capitol Ride '05 Partner!

What will CTD's Capitol Ride '05 Accomplish?

Mikail, by demonstrating the health and determination of people with disabilities will contribute meaningfully to CTD's awareness raising activities regarding the capability of people with disabilities and cancer survivors. CTD will remain in regular contact with news media along the route throughout the ride to maintain a high level of public awareness regarding Mikail's progress. Young people with disabilities from Blaze Sports Austin will join Mikail on the final leg of Capitol Ride `05. Using racing wheelchairs, they will ride with Mikail as he makes a spectacular journey through downtown Austin to the Capitol, triumphantly concluding this amazing 350-mile ride.

The "sag van" and trailer accompanying Mikail will display Capitol Ride Partner logos on magnetic signs to be displayed throughout the 350-mile journey; both local and statewide media will know just who supports this amazing and inspiring venture! A seasoned CTD member will ride in the sag van, ensuring and arranging for local media coverage at each stop throughout the seven day ride. Finally, a handcycle mechanic from our sponsor Bicycle Sport Shop will accompany Mikail to help maintain his handcycle.