Wheels of Freedom: Portland's First Adaptive Biking Festival Opens Doors for Riders of All Abilities

Brenda Santoro used to navigate Maine's trails on two wheels without a second thought. That was before multiple sclerosis began stealing her independence two decades ago. Now 65, the Portland resident can no longer cycle solo. But this past Sunday, she wasn't about to let that stop her.

At the inaugural Biking is for EveryBODY festival held at Portland's Back Cove, Santoro and her friend Jennette Morse sat side by side on the front of a wheelchair trike, helmets secure, smiles wide. For Morse, a 76-year-old Scarborough resident diagnosed with MS in 2020, the experience was nothing short of transformative.

"MS can be very isolating," Santoro said. "This gives me the opportunity to essentially do biking and to be with other people. Portland Wheelers are just a fabulous group of people. It's just been a blast."

The event, organized by the Portland Wheelers, a biking nonprofit with roughly 130 active volunteers year-round, aimed to prove something many might never have considered: cycling can be accessible to anyone, regardless of physical ability. About 40 volunteers were on hand throughout the day leading workshops, answering equipment questions, and helping participants navigate the course.

"We wanted to show people that for whatever their body needs, a bike is available," said Pete Ryan, executive director of Portland Wheelers. "These things are just amazing. Where bike technology is at this point, people don't have to make do anymore."

The festival featured an array of adaptive equipment: electric bikes, recumbent tandems, elliptical-style trikes, and detachable wheelchair bikes. The morning's activities culminated in an afternoon parade, which volunteers named Lulu's Ride in loving memory of Lila Kerman, an adaptive biking volunteer who passed away last year. Kerman was instrumental in partnering Portland Wheelers with senior living communities, helping residents experience the joy of cycling. Her family donated two brand-new adaptive trikes to launch the organization's active participation program.

By 1 p.m., dozens of riders of all abilities lined up at the informal start of the parade, which set off along the trail to the strains of John Williams's "Olympic Fanfare and Theme" playing from a speaker mounted on a carriage-style bike.

Leading the procession was Clara Brown, a two-time Paralympian and world champion cyclist who made a special appearance at the festival. Brown, who was seriously injured in a gymnastics accident at age 12, found cycling later in life after years of rehabilitation. She purchased her first accommodating bike at Portland's Cycle Mania and never looked back.

"I fell in love immediately," Brown said, wearing her national team bib and USA blue mascara. "It's cool to look around and see trikes, recumbent trikes, upright trikes, tandems, kids' bikes, all sorts of things. I'm just excited to interact with everyone and see how the bike has helped them find their freedom."

For Brown, cycling represents more than recreation. She called it a "tool of freedom," and seeing the community turn out for an event like Biking is for EveryBODY warmed her heart.

Volunteers echoed her enthusiasm. Allen Kropp, who zipped along the Back Cove trail on a wheelchair trike, said helping people discover what they're capable of is an incredibly special opportunity. Matt Hollyday, a longtime volunteer, grinned at Morse during one of their rides together and said he simply couldn't quit the organization.

Morse, who rides with Portland Wheelers twice monthly, exploring trails in Portland, South Portland, and Scarborough, offered a reflection that summed up the day's spirit.

"I think today my life is probably better than it's ever been," she said. "I wouldn't be the person I am today if I didn't have MS, so it's a positive thing."

The event was made completely free through a partnership with Martin's Point Health Care. Ryan expressed gratitude for the volunteers and partners who shared a common goal of removing barriers to cycling.

"Watching people realize they can bike is like magic," he said. "I'm eager to see this event grow."

For Santoro and Morse, the magic was already present. As they rode through Back Cove together, flanked by volunteers and fellow riders, the isolation that often accompanies their condition gave way to community, motion, and joy.