Mother Nature may have had other plans, but the Maine Adaptive community knows how to make the most of every moment outdoors. This year’s Acadia Cycle and Paddle Weekend brought together students, volunteers, and supporters for an unforgettable adventure—even if the weather didn’t quite cooperate.
The weekend kicked off with a beautiful day of cycling on the carriage roads of Acadia National Park. Riders of all abilities hit the trails, enjoying breathtaking ocean views, rolling terrain, and the chance to push themselves surrounded by friends both old and new. Laughter, determination, and encouragement filled the air as participants pedaled through one of Maine’s most iconic landscapes.
One of those riders was Cooper, who took on the Wildcat adaptive trike made by Reactive Adaptations, with strength and determination. The Wildcat is designed to give kids with mobility disabilities the chance to experience the freedom and excitement of mountain biking. He completed the loop around Eagle Lake and continued on to Witch Hole Pond, covering about 10 miles in total. Cooper’s hard work and safety training throughout the summer paid off—especially on the big downhills—and he got to share the experience with his family. He also rode alongside Patrick, a new volunteer this summer. Cooper trained diligently in the weeks leading up to the event, and his efforts showed every step of the way. His ride was a powerful example of what preparation, perseverance, and community support can achieve.
While the original plan included both cycling and paddling, high winds on Saturday limited us to just biking—and by Sunday, storms rolled in and made it too unsafe to get out on the water and not so enjoyable to bike. Even so, the sense of accomplishment and connection from Saturday’s ride carried through the entire weekend.
Events like these are a reminder that adaptive recreation is about more than the activities themselves. It’s about the joy of being together, the confidence that comes from trying new challenges, and the resilience to adapt when things don’t go exactly as planned.
A heartfelt thank-you to our incredible volunteers, students, families, and supporters who made the weekend such a success. We may have had to trade our paddles for rain jackets, but the spirit of adventure never wavered.