City resident sets 14th World Ultra Cycling Association record
While an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan, Bellefontaine resident Doug Chivington trekked to the state up north earlier this month with his Team Chivington crew in attempt to set a new World Ultra Cycling Association record.
Riding from the western coast of Michigan to the state’s eastern coast in 11 hours and 37 minutes on Sept. 6, Chivington’s new record for the 60-69 age group was verified this week, bringing his total of World Ultra Cycling Association records to 14. Ultra cycling is defined as distances past 100 miles.
It’s a rewarding pursuit for the city resident and Honda of America retiree, who ties all of his endurance races to fundraising for a cause that’s close to his heart — coming alongside veterans with post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
The need for advocacy and support is critical for veterans, as the inner struggles that former service members face sometimes can cost them their lives, the 65-year-old related.
“The war isn’t over for veterans who come home. We know that so many are struggling and many veterans are plagued by PTSD and traumatic brain injury,” Chivington said Friday.
“We lose 17 veterans every day to suicide in the U.S. Every mile on the bike is in memory of the 17 veterans we lose each day, and in support of those living with PTSD and TBI.”
Team Chivington is currently working to raise funds for the Ohio Warriors Sled Hockey Team, which offers veterans an enjoyable, therapeutic outlet and camaraderie on the ice. The fundraising supports the hockey team’s rental time on the ice, along with their travel to play other teams in the league.
The Ohio Warriors Hockey Program is an affiliate of the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program, which have been organized for disabled veterans who served in defense of the United States.
At Chivington’s last World Ultra Cycling attempt, members from the Ohio Warriors Sled Hockey Team came to cheer him on from the sidelines.
“We’ve made some wonderful friends through this organization and it’s an enjoyable partnership,” he noted.
The endurance athlete said supporting the organization is a way that he and his wife, Amber, and their family can give back after their own personal experiences. The couple’s oldest son was injured by an IED while on a tour of duty in Iraq during 2006, and he required “quite a bit of rehab after that,” Chivington said.
“So many people helped our family during that time, from providing airfare to hotels and even getting sports tickets for my son to give him something to look forward to as well.
“There have been so many people who were there for us, and now this is our chance that we can help other families and other veterans.”
For the recent World Ultra Cycling Association record in Michigan, his wife Amber and friend Alan Kingsbery, a 1976 Olympian and 1975 Pan American athlete, accompanied Chivington to assist as his crew. Kingsbery served as the World Ultra Cycling Association official for the ride as well.
The cyclist started his race day in Muskegon, Mich., and navigated through five construction zones throughout the day. His 206-mile ride concluded in Port Sanilac Harbor, but not without a big obstacle at the very end.
“Nine miles from the finish in the last construction zone, a bridge was out and the detour suggested were on secondary roads that was dirt and gravel, not ideal for a road bike,” Chivington said, noting that he’d likely have a flat tire if he attempted the gravel route.
Fortunately, he had completed a recon trip about a month prior to the record attempt, and received some expert advice from a construction crew member.
“He said, ‘Just take the foot bridge,’ so I did,” he explained. “On race day in my bike shoes, I threw my bike on my shoulder, went down the embankment, crossed the foot bridge and climbed out of the creek bank. From there I had a 100-yard jog across grass back to the road.”
It’s an exhilarating experience to finish the 206-mile ride in record time, but also requires an acute mental focus throughout the day.
“I try not to think about the whole thing or the finish line when I’m getting started. You want to break it down and focus on one section at a time, and make sure you’re eating and drinking right.”
Next up, Chivington will be heading to the World Ultra Cycling Championships in November in Palm Springs, Calif., where he’s looking forward to completing world time trials and continuing his mission to uplift veterans and raise awareness.
Donation information for the Ohio Warriors Hockey Team is available on the Team Chivington’s Facebook page.
