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

Capitol Ride ’05 is an incredible demonstration of endurance, strength and will by Mikail Davenport . who rode his hand cycle from South Padre Island to the Texas State Capitol in Austin.

Winner of 2005 Austin Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities Media Award

Mikail Davenport and Dennis Borel accept the 2005 Austin Mayor's Committee for people with Disabilities Award

"350 Miles...7 Days...By Hand!" won the 2005 Austin Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities (AMCPD) Media Award. The AMCPD found the way the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) raised awareness of the capabilities and will of people with disabilities through Mikail Davenport's 350 mile handcycle ultra marathon from South Padre to Austin very impressive. Diverse and extensive media coverage included TV, radio, print and internet. CTD used People First language in all media alerts and press releases. The images of Mikail dealing with physical exhaustion, heat, cold, rain, traffic and road construction are powerful and convey that his feat was at the limits of human capability, regardless of disability. In a glorious last mile up Congress Avenue to the State Capitol, kids with disabilities using racing wheelchairs and Mayor Will Wynn on his bike joined Mikail on the final leg of his journey. A crowd of over 200 welcomed the group, including multiple media outlets.

March 1 - March 8, 2005

Mikail Davenport and Governor Perry

the staff of the Coalition and sponsors of the ride gather to send Mikail off

Mayor Cycles with Davenport on Last Mile

Police escorted Mayor Will Wynn, Mikail Davenport, and kids with disabilities using racing wheelchairs down Congress Avenue as Davenport finished a seven day 350 mile journey from South Padre to Austin without the use of his legs. Mikail Davenport went on this handcycle marathon to raise awareness of the capability of people with disabilities, cancer survivors and older Americans. The cycling trek down Congress endedd on the South Steps of the Capitol, where The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) was holding a statewide disability rally. Rally participants were on hand to welcome Davenport home, before he visited his legislators on important disability issues.

Mayor Will Wynn

Inspired by Capitol Ride `05

On Tuesday, February 1, Mayor Will Wynn joined the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) at the press conference at Bicycle Sport Shop to kick off Capitol Ride ’05.

Mayor Will Wynn speaking at the Capitol Ride 05 press conference

"We are working toward full accessibility and acceptance," Wynn said. "I take it personally, because I know firsthand the challenge to people with disabilities and their families, because I grew up with a quadriplegic brother."