American John Terrell began 2022 in imperious form with sterling results in the first two rounds of the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup: second in both the MC4 time trial and road race in Ostend (Belgium) then winning the uphill time trial in Elzach (Germany).
Can you tell us about your disability, please?
John Terrell (JT): I acquired my limb difference at the age of 19 after I was hit as a pedestrian in a motor vehicle accident. I feel that language has a great impact on our psyches, so I have reprogrammed my thoughts to identify my situation as different, not disabling. We are what we think, so shifting my perception and self-talk have changed the way that I view obstacles.
I experienced a spinal-cord injury (brachial plexus injury) as a result of blunt-force trauma. I also lack proprioception in both legs as a result of the trauma and surgeries. I tried to salvage my limbs for over two years, but the nerve transplant surgeries were unsuccessful, so I opted to amputate my arm voluntarily.
What difficulties has this presented you with?
JT: I turn 28 this year. I would say my experience of acquiring a limb difference at the age of 19 has presented me with numerous opportunities to take ownership and responsibility for moving forward and, despite tragedy, to choose to still lead a fulfilling life.
Did you grow up cycling?
JT: Cycling and bicycles have been a recurring theme throughout my life, albeit road cycling’s not that prevalent where I grew up in the suburbs of San Antonio, Texas, in a little town called Converse. It’s an area where American football reigns supreme. I played many traditional American sports like football, basketball, baseball and swimming, though always rode a bike. I remember being dressed in shoulder pads and football helmet, cycling a few miles through the neighbourhood to reach the park! Riding bikes has always given me a sense of independence and freedom.
When did you start para-cycling?
JT: I became passionate about BMX from the of age 12. I raced a few years, but I preferred Freestyle. I started hanging out at the local bike shop, Action Bikes in Universal City, and a mechanic named Josh White became a mentor to me. Josh showed me how to fix my bike and how to build dirt jumps. He would take me on trips to other cities to ride different trails. He was a foundational part of my development as a cyclist.
After I was injured, my goal was to get back to riding BMX at a similar level to before. I was in denial about the severity of my injury, so I briefly researched Paralympic sports and found out that track cycling was included. Coincidentally, one of the first videos I saw was Joe Berenyi racing at the 2012 Paralympics in London. Joe is also an above-elbow amputee, who only rides with one point of contact on the handlebar, so I immediately knew that racing track was possible for me, too.
What are your 2022 season aims?
JT: I’d like to compete and podium at the worlds in both track cycling and road cycling; a rainbow jersey would be amazing. I’m currently the leader of the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup, so maintaining the jersey and winning the series would be a dream come true.
What are your long-term aims?
JT: I want to gain dual nationality within the EU so that my family’s future generations can experience more of this wonderful world. I hope to provide representation and advocacy for people with limb differences by finishing a UCI WorldTour stage race like the Volta a Catalunya or a similar stage race. This will inspire generations of adaptive and non-adaptive athletes by demonstrating that it’s possible for underestimated people to compete at the top levels.
Another goal I have is to establish a non-profit organisation with a focus on traumatic transitioning and adaptive rehabilitation through sport, mentorship, fostering community support centres and furthering education opportunities for marginalised populations.
Additional long-term aims include competing in 2024 (Paris), 2028 (Los Angeles) and 2032 (Brisbane) Paralympic Games.
Do you have any para-cycling heroes you look up to?
JT: They would include Joe Berenyi, Andrew Pruitt and Shawn Morelli. Joe inspired me and opened my mind that it was possible to ride and race with one arm. Andrew because he is a pioneer of the sport, and helped legitimise adaptive athletes in a time where they were far and few between. Andrew paved the way for people like Joe, Shawn and me. Shawn because she has bridged the gap from adaptive to pro cycling by racing for United Healthcare in 2017.
Some other people I admire and draw inspiration from are Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Eric Thomas, Martin Luther King Jr, Thomas Edison, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Orville Wright & Wilbur Wright, Helen Keller, Jackie Robinson and Buster Keaton.
Tell us about a normal training week.
JT: My training varies throughout the season, but I tend to cycle six times a week consisting of eight to 20 hours. Base season is more on the 20-hours side with high volume paired with lower intensity; race preparation is more on the 10-plus hours side paired with lower volume and higher intensity. Then it’s a matter of maintaining fitness throughout the race season. I’ll sprinkle in two to three strength sessions per week in base and race preparation season – movements like split squats, core exercises and posterior chain work are my focus in the gym.
Anything else you would like to tell readers about your paracycling journey so far?
JT: Believe in yourself, define yourself, invest time in yourself and make the most of every single day. Life is a series of decisions, so I want to encourage people to make better decisions and to constantly look to improve their previous efforts. We become good at whatever we practice, so make the choice every day to practise positivity and to implement self-accountability. What is for you will not go past you.
Brief explanation of para-cycling sport classes
C – Cyclist: conventional bike with adaptations if necessary
T – Tricycle: three-wheeled bike
B – Visually impaired: tandem bicycle ridden with sighted pilot
H – Handbike
Each group is divided into different sport classes (1 to 5), with the lower the number indicating greater impairment.