After a season disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s Women’s Adaptive Cycling Team is back—and more motivated than ever. With indoor training sessions behind them and a full race calendar ahead, these elite handcyclists are racing not only to win, but to redefine what’s possible in women’s adaptive sports.
Launched in 2019 with the support of CAF and legendary adaptive athlete Carlos Moleda, the team was designed to provide elite coaching, equipment, and racing opportunities to women with physical disabilities. Since its inception, the program has created a powerful pipeline for women to train, compete, and build community in the growing sport of adaptive cycling.
With a 2021 schedule that includes races in Huntsville, Minneapolis, Boise, and a potential trip abroad to Italy or the Netherlands, the team is proving that resilience, grit, and sisterhood are a force to be reckoned with.
Adaptive cycling has historically seen low female representation at competitive levels. CAF’s Women’s Adaptive Cycling Team was created to change that—to remove barriers, create access, and develop pathways to high-performance sport.
“The women on this team are warriors,” says coach Carlos Moleda. “They’ve overcome enormous challenges just to get here. Our job is to give them the tools and support they need to go even further.”
The team is supported by generous partners including ChargePoint, Toyota, J&L Pie Company, and 100%, all committed to elevating inclusion and performance in adaptive sports.
Coach: Carlos Moleda
Carlos Moleda is a legend in the world of adaptive sports. A Navy SEAL and Purple Heart recipient, Carlos was injured in the line of duty in 1989 and paralyzed from the waist down. Sport became his new mission.
He became the first handcyclist to break 11 hours at the IRONMAN World Championship and has won the division four times. A seven-time national champion, Carlos has also completed Race Across America in 8 days, 9 hours as part of a four-person handcycle team. He played a pivotal role in developing rules for paratriathlon and has helped CAF deliver thousands of customized sport wheelchairs to athletes across the country.
Today, Carlos brings that same drive to his role as coach and mentor to the CAF Women’s Adaptive Cycling Team, shaping the next generation of adaptive cycling champions.
Alicia Dana is a Paralympian and endurance athlete with a passion for pushing limits. After becoming paralyzed from the waist down in a tree-climbing accident at age 17, she discovered handcycling as a means of movement and freedom.
Alicia competed in her first Paralympic Cycling National Team in 2001 and has continued to rise through the ranks ever since. She is now one of the most respected and decorated handcyclists in the U.S., serving not only as a fierce competitor but also as a mentor and leader.
As team captain, Alicia sets the tone for the team’s discipline, heart, and camaraderie.
Gabby Platt’s journey to handcycling started after a traumatic incident in which she was shot three times in the back and became paralyzed. Rather than letting her story end there, Gabby found strength through sport and community.
Her unwavering focus and drive have positioned her as a top contender for the U.S. Paralympic Team. Every mile she rides is a reminder that nothing in life should be taken for granted—and that adversity can be fuel for greatness.
Born with cerebral palsy and hip dysplasia, Ryen has spent her life proving doubters wrong. The conditions affect her movement, coordination, balance, and reflexes—making everyday motion significantly more difficult.
But Ryen has always found power in sport. From an early age, she used athletics to stay strong and mobile. Now, through handcycling, she’s chasing an elite path with dreams of reaching the Paralympic stage. She’s a living example that strength comes in many forms.
Lera Doederlein was born in Saratov, Russia and adopted into a U.S. family as a toddler. She lived with limited mobility for most of her childhood and underwent multiple surgeries. At age 14, Lera made the bold decision to undergo a bilateral above-knee amputation to improve her long-term mobility and quality of life.
Soon after, she was introduced to CAF and fell in love with adaptive sports. Today, she is on the rise as a powerful handcyclist, chasing her dream of becoming a Paralympic athlete and empowering others through her story.
Danielle’s story is a testament to survival and resilience. After falling more than 250 feet while rock climbing, she sustained multiple injuries including a broken back, pelvis, femur, and ankles. The accident left her paralyzed, but it did not end her journey.
She found her new path through adaptive sports and now competes in handcycling across the country. Danielle is also a licensed occupational therapist and works as a certified hand therapist, merging her personal and professional passions to support others in recovery.
Arguably one of the most decorated Paralympians in the world, Oksana Masters was born in Ukraine with radiation-related birth defects due to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. She was adopted into the U.S. and later underwent bilateral leg amputations.
Oksana has won multiple Paralympic medals across multiple sports including rowing, skiing, and cycling. Her addition to the team brings not only elite talent, but also global visibility and momentum to CAF’s mission of inclusion through sport.
The team has already made waves in early-season races. These events are not just stops on a calendar—they’re qualifiers, milestones, and celebrations of everything this team stands for.
Recent Races
Upcoming Events
In the Media
The team’s impact is reaching well beyond the racecourse. Check out how they’ve been featured in national and local media:
Support the Movement
CAF’s Women’s Adaptive Cycling Team is setting new standards for what’s possible. But they can’t do it alone. Your support fuels their training, equipment, travel, and access to sport.
Sign up for stories of resilience, event invites, and ways to make a difference delivered with heart, straight to your inbox.
Thank you for subscribing! Check your inbox regularly for updates
from the CAF team.
Apply for grants for adaptive sports equipment, prosthetics, coaching, and more.
Find adaptive experiences and events for your sport near you.
Find adaptive experiences and events for your sport near you.
Learn about outreach, awareness, and education programs for schools.
Join programs in our key regions.
Adaptive Sports Organizations listed by state and country.
Browse our resources by sport to find the right equipment, trainings, and organizations for you.
Make a 100% tax deductible donation with one click.
Donate every month. Just $10 makes a
difference.
Find another way to give that works for you.
Get in front of an engaged and passionate audience and support our mission while advancing your goals.
Create an impact by sponsoring life-changing events.
Support your corporate giving initiatives with 100% tax deductible donations.
Create an event you’re passionate about in a few easy steps.
Contribute to or take part in an existing event.
Learn how to get your school involved in a great cause and access tools for success.
Explore digital or in-person volunteer opportunities at a CAF event near you.
Join inclusive adaptive sports events and experiences open to everyone.
Discover upcoming events in your area to fundraise, participate, or volunteer.
Explore regional community events, clinics, and donation options in the greater Bay Area.
Explore regional events, grants, and donation options in San Diego, Orange County, and LA County.
Explore community events, clinics, grants, and more in the state of Idaho.
Explore local community events, clinics, and donation options in the Northeast region.
Ride with us. No matter where you are, you’re part of the CAF cycling community.
Find something that moves you. Athlete stories, event coverage, and more.
Explore our resource library to access information on your adaptive sport.
Explore our video library to get digital coaching, equipment guides, and more.
Access the tools you need to best support your fundraising efforts.
