RULE #1: THERE CAN BE NO VICTORY IF YOU QUIT
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What is R5-PARA Racing?
R5-PARa Racing is an elite level Para-Cycling tandem race team.
The team is built around, Chester Triplett, the "Stoker" a visually-impaired Army Veteran and the "Driver" the fully-sighted teammate who sits in front on the tandem bicycle and is responsible for all braking, shifting and steering.
R5-PARa competes in the U.S. Paralympic Cycling Division and has represented Team USA in three UCI Para-track Cycling World Championships.
The race team also competes in many local, regional and National level competitions as well as international level competitions.
The team is built around, Chester Triplett, the "Stoker" a visually-impaired Army Veteran and the "Driver" the fully-sighted teammate who sits in front on the tandem bicycle and is responsible for all braking, shifting and steering.
R5-PARa competes in the U.S. Paralympic Cycling Division and has represented Team USA in three UCI Para-track Cycling World Championships.
The race team also competes in many local, regional and National level competitions as well as international level competitions.
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Who is R5-PARA Racing?
R5-PARa Racing is Chester Triplett, a 37 year old visually-impaired Army Veteran and the Tandem Driver Core . Chester is the "stoker", the rider in rear of tandem and the "driver" is the rider in front of tandem bicycle. The driver is also known as "pilot".
It is not uncommon for a bVI (Blind or visually-Impaired) stoker to train and race with multiple Drivers throughout each season.
It is not uncommon for a bVI (Blind or visually-Impaired) stoker to train and race with multiple Drivers throughout each season.
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What are the R5-PARA Rules of racing?
Rule#1 Never quit. There can be no victory, if you quit.
Rule#2 Focus on the Journey. Not Results. Even on your best day, your competitor may have a better day.
Rule#3 Fight and adapt. When life finds a way to knock you down, find a way to fight back and adapt to your new circumstances.
Rule#4 Recovery is not an option. Take a nap. Training and racing punishes the body. so if you want to get faster you have to rest, eat right and take care of your body and mind.
Rule#5 It takes a village. Build a strong support structure of friends, family, and sponsors who believe in your mission. No matter how self-driven you are, you can't achieve mission success, on your own.
Rule#2 Focus on the Journey. Not Results. Even on your best day, your competitor may have a better day.
Rule#3 Fight and adapt. When life finds a way to knock you down, find a way to fight back and adapt to your new circumstances.
Rule#4 Recovery is not an option. Take a nap. Training and racing punishes the body. so if you want to get faster you have to rest, eat right and take care of your body and mind.
Rule#5 It takes a village. Build a strong support structure of friends, family, and sponsors who believe in your mission. No matter how self-driven you are, you can't achieve mission success, on your own.
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What is the meaning of PARA?
PARA means side-by-side or standing along side our fellow able-bodied competitors as we all pursue the highest level of performance and the privilege to represent Team USA on the national and international stage.
The R5-PARA mission also includes, defeating eye disease and vision loss through training and racing the tandem bicycle. To achieve the highest possible level of wellness despite eye disease and disability and triumph in the face of adversity.
To serve as a symbol of resilience through proper nutrition, training and the teamwork required, getting the tandem form the start line to the finish line.
The R5-PARA mission also includes, defeating eye disease and vision loss through training and racing the tandem bicycle. To achieve the highest possible level of wellness despite eye disease and disability and triumph in the face of adversity.
To serve as a symbol of resilience through proper nutrition, training and the teamwork required, getting the tandem form the start line to the finish line.
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How can I help R5-PARA?
For the moment, the most straight forward way to help is through a tax-deductible donation. Cycling is an expensive sport, mainly because of the travel to events. All of the support you can manage helps. We are working on our program with some creative ways to contribute, however for now the kind folks at USABA are managing our donations. DONATE WITH A TAX DEDUCTION
RULE #2:
FOCUS ON THE JOURNEY
YOU CAN'T CONTROL RESULTS
FOCUS ON THE JOURNEY
YOU CAN'T CONTROL RESULTS
The Journey

1998
United States Army: Field Artillery

2001
Stargardts Disease
2008
Psychology Degree from Kent State University

2010
U.S. Paralympic Cycling Career Begins

2012
UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships

2014
R5-PARA Racing Is Founded

2016
UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championship
Italy
RULE #3:
ADAPT AND FIGHT!
WHEN LIFE KNOCKS YOU DOWN
FIND A WAY TO FIGHT BACK.
ADAPT AND FIGHT!
WHEN LIFE KNOCKS YOU DOWN
FIND A WAY TO FIGHT BACK.
Chester Triplett
Tandem Stoker
Chester Triplett is the stoker for R5-PARA Racing. He is a 37 year old Army Veteran who was diagnosed with Stargardts Disease while serving in the Army on active duty in Field Artillery.
Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited juvenile macular degeneration. The progressive vision loss associated with Stargardt disease is caused by the death of photoreceptor cells in the central portion of the retina called the macula.
The retina is the delicate light-sensing tissue lining the back inside wall of the eye. Photoreceptor cells in the retina provide vision by conveying information from the visual field to the brain. The macula is responsible for sharp central vision — for tasks like reading, watching television, and looking at faces.
Decreased central vision is a hallmark of Stargardt disease. Side vision is usually preserved. Stargardt disease typically develops during childhood and adolescence. Also involved in Stargardt disease is a region beneath the macula called the retinal pigment epithelium.
How quickly does vision fade?
The progression of symptoms in Stargardt disease is variable. Visual acuity (the ability to distinguish details and shape) may decrease slowly at first, accelerate, and then level off.
Chester was honorably discharged from the Army in2001 and became a first generation college student in 2002. Despite a visual impairment, Chester developed new learning skills, adapted to the classroom, and graduated from Kent State University with his Psychology degree in 2008. soon after graduation, while attending the Veteran Administration’s blind rehabilitation program in Birmingham, Al., Chester discovered the Paralympic Cycling division. It was this discovery that made it possible to build the training and racing model that exists today which is the foundation upon which Stargardts Disease is defeated.
Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited juvenile macular degeneration. The progressive vision loss associated with Stargardt disease is caused by the death of photoreceptor cells in the central portion of the retina called the macula.
The retina is the delicate light-sensing tissue lining the back inside wall of the eye. Photoreceptor cells in the retina provide vision by conveying information from the visual field to the brain. The macula is responsible for sharp central vision — for tasks like reading, watching television, and looking at faces.
Decreased central vision is a hallmark of Stargardt disease. Side vision is usually preserved. Stargardt disease typically develops during childhood and adolescence. Also involved in Stargardt disease is a region beneath the macula called the retinal pigment epithelium.
How quickly does vision fade?
The progression of symptoms in Stargardt disease is variable. Visual acuity (the ability to distinguish details and shape) may decrease slowly at first, accelerate, and then level off.
Chester was honorably discharged from the Army in2001 and became a first generation college student in 2002. Despite a visual impairment, Chester developed new learning skills, adapted to the classroom, and graduated from Kent State University with his Psychology degree in 2008. soon after graduation, while attending the Veteran Administration’s blind rehabilitation program in Birmingham, Al., Chester discovered the Paralympic Cycling division. It was this discovery that made it possible to build the training and racing model that exists today which is the foundation upon which Stargardts Disease is defeated.
The Tandem Driver Corps
Tandem Driver (pilot)
The Tandem Driver Corps consists of the incredibly selfless men and women who climb aboard the tandem bicycle to train and/or race with blind and visually-impaired athletes. since 2010, I have personally had the privilege to train and race with some amazing teammates as we work together to accomplish the R5-PARA Racing mission.