Here are a few pictures that are safe to show.

The basket is full with all of the team issued goodies.
Nike & Ralph Lauren !!!

Myself and Ron Williams at the base of the Honey Springs Climb in Chula Vista CA.

The 2008 Paralympic Cycling Team -
photo taken at the OTC in Colo. Springs

Opening Ceremonies!

9.6.08



Tonight we march into battle as one country- The USA agienst the World !

The battleground is China. The goal is not land or power but rather a gold medallion

that tells everyone Worldwide who's
best.



Tomarrow I race in the 3 km ind. pursuit on the velodrome. My personal goal is to

set a personal best and break the Paralympic American record of 3:58:00

The podium times will be closer to 3:40. That is on a different plane from what I

can manage. My time will come out on the open Chinese Roads.



but tonight - dressed in our Ralph Lauren Fighting costume we march as one into Beijing!!

Rest & recovery.

9.5.08

not many jobs will require you to lay in bed and do as little as physically
possible. Then again not many jobs demand that you train so hard that
you throw up on the side of the road. That's just part of the rollercoaster
lifestyle of a Pro cyclist.
Today is a rest day. Feels like I haven't rested since hearing I was selected.
my plan is to read a book and take a nap. Some days it's great to be a bike racer.

For all that read this, I love to read the comments (Thanks Charlie!)
Please feel free to post a comment or e-mail me directly.
www.mikelfarrell28@hotmail.com

At full Strength

9.5.08

On 8.30.08 myself and the track squad came over to adjust for racing on 9.7.
Last night the second half of the team showed. This consisted of 4 handcyclist and
one road specific rider.
It was nice to be all together. With the full team there is a greater level of energy
around. At dinner we talk about the race course and how things may shake out.
Maybe the shock of being in China is wearing off and my attention is shifting more towards the racing. The travel is great but can take away from the focus of our goal - to win medals!

A dream realized

9.4.08



This morning I sat on the shuttle bus looking off at the lush chinese hillside.

A thought, then an emotion rolled through me. My dream had come true.

Through years of determination and of course a bit of luck I accomplished what I set out to do.

Like many people, I grew up needing a focus. Many times I thought I found something that could harness my attention but nothing ever held it so completely as cycling.

Lately, I've thought about how a scattered brained surf bum found himself

in CHINA representing the USA. Lots of things had to fall into place but the main reason is a desire to do what it takes. A love for the process. I'd imagine the only way to succeed is simply want to do the work.

For the first time in my life I found a goal that could be accomplished that was linked to a great passion of mine.

And now I sit on a bus in Beijing. Finally understanding the reward that comes with hard work.

And yes, Racing bikes is brutally hard work!

9.3.08

Last night I slept 8 hours. Something that hasn't happened it a while.
Switching sleep schedule this dramatically has taken alot out of me. I've struggled
to make every training ride and team meeting, awake.

I must say that what I've seen of the race venues and the Paralympic village -
-kind a blows me away- The natural environment is green and lush different than Colo. Springs.
The Host Country has spared no expense in impressing it's guests. The landscaping and artistic structures show how important these games are to this country.

From what I hear the Village is the best that some staff can remember. The cycling, swimming and track & Field live in a 6 story condo in heart of the village. We are located a few minute walk from the food & internet cafe. Everywhere I walk I see displays of Chinese Art work.

The velodrome is one the best I've ridden in the world. It's a wooden 250 meter indoor track with 45-48 degree banks. The surrounding building has cabins to accommodate each nation.
The track is located 40 minutes away from the village.

The road course starts and ends on a damn and loops around a beautiful valley lake.
The area is surrounded by low lying mountains which reveal ancient chinese buildings.
The course it'self has one steady climb of just a kilometer and a few other short bumps that can
be powered over. The race will either break up on the climb or in the technical section that winds around the damn.

Overall I'm very impressed by what I've seen. But my physical surroundings are nothing to
the people I've met and the feeling I get when I think that I'm at the 2008 Beijing Summer Games.

8.31.08 & 9.1.08

I arrived yesterday after was just too long in the sky. 14 hours all together.
The Cycling team traveled with the US Women's Basketball team which helped pass the
time. I took the time to get to know a few of the b-ball team. Their stories of past games
got me excited and finally after all this time what I was doing was finally sinking in.

I have plenty to write about but due to my jetlag I'll keep it short.
The team and I went for a spin and recon ride of both the Road curcuit and the velodrome.
Both venues are fast and will produce great racing.
My coach has us on a tight schedule. This is to keep us awake and adjust to the time zone change. China has one Time Zone for the entire country!

My thought was to tell everyone about the the olympic village and Beijing in general but due to my tiredness I'm going to have to wait.
I will say that I'm taken back by seeing so many athletes from all around the world.
4,000 athletes from over 150 nations gathered to fight it out in Sport is something special to witness and even more so to be part of.