Placerville’s Hangtown Classic Handcycle Event Coming Up On June 25th

On Saturday, June 25th, the Placerville Mobility Support Group (PMSG) celebrates the fifth anniversary of its Hangtown Cranker Classic, a handcycle and bicycle ride for disabled and able-bodied persons. This year, PMSG anticipates its largest field with 25 handcyclists and 25 bicyclists. Riders have the option of one mile, five, 10 or 20 miles round-trip on the El Dorado Trail from Missouri Flat to Smith Flat, with a segment through Old Hangtown. Upon return to the staging area, riders will enjoy a barbecue lunch prepared by PMSG’s Board of Directors.

This activity meets one of the Classic’s major goals: bringing together disabled and able-bodied persons – two otherwise distanced populations. The opportunity for these groups to “rub elbows” benefits each by increasing understanding and awareness.

Founded in 2007 by two local men with spinal cord injury, the PMSG now boasts a membership of 78 that ranges from Strawberry to Citrus Heights, from Auburn to Jackson. Since its beginning, PMSG has engaged in activities that fulfill its mission of fostering improved mental, emotional and physical well-being for persons with ambulatory impairment. In addition to monthly meetings, members have joined with the Bureau of Land Management for a work day on the David Moore Nature Trail (California’s fist wheelchair-accessible trail), annually putting up a Christmas tree along Highway 50 with other local organizations, as well as making home and hospital visits to “newbies”. “Get up. Get out. Get better.” – the PMSG motto – demonstrates the group’s emphasis on physical exercise, however minimal, to help achieve recovery from traumatic injury or disease. PMSG members include persons with multiple sclerosis, post-polio syndrome, ¬spinal cord injury, transverse myelitis and others disabilities that make mobility difficult or impossible.

Funds raised through event registration and donations go to the PMSG Rehabilitation Fund. This provides financial assistance to members by offsetting costs associated with the purchase of durable medical equipment, enrollment in a physical rehab program, or participation in an athletic event for persons with disabilities.

Registration opens at 8:00 AM on Saturday: $20 – adults; $10 – children (under 14); $5 – lunch for non-riders. For additional information, contact Lynn Murray at (530) 295-7620 (cell) or (530) 295-3842 (home). For more details, check out the informational flyer.