Слепой велосипедист завершил марафонский забег из Сиэтла в Портленд

Blind cyclist completes Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic WOODINVILLE, Wash — For Clark Roberts, the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic isn't just a bike ride. It's a reminder that trust, determination and teamwork can take you farther than you ever imagined. Roberts, who has been blind for more than 50 years, uses his vision loss as the foundation of his nonprofit, Ultimate Vision. He travels the country speaking to students and organizations about kindness, compassion and overcoming adversity. The organization's mission is to guide future leaders to see life through empathy and confidence while encouraging people to live a life of significance. Roberts recently completed this year's 206-mile Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, an annual event organized by the Cascade Bicycle Club. The event challenges thousands of cyclists to ride from Seattle to Portland over one or two days through western Washington. This year, Roberts rode on the back of a tandem bicycle with a new riding partner, Kurt Kelly. As the stoker on the tandem bike, Roberts relies on Kelly to guide the ride while the two pedal in sync. Roberts said the partnership is built on trust. "If I don't trust, I don't get to do anything. I don't get to have any fun," Roberts said. Kelly is an experienced cyclist who has completed the ride solo three times. He said he wanted a new challenge this year and the opportunity to help someone else experience the accomplishment of crossing the finish line. He responded to Roberts' Facebook post looking for a teammate. The pair completed the journey to Portland in 19 hours, but both said the ride was about much more than the miles. Roberts hopes his story encourages others not to let life's obstacles define them. "People are their own biggest obstacle," Roberts said. "Get out there, try and see what you can do, and go have fun." For Kelly, the greatest reward wasn't reaching Portland. It was helping someone else achieve a dream. "If you get the opportunity to help somebody else meet their goal, you should take it," Kelly said. "It's as rewarding as achieving the goal yourself."