July 8, 2012

Damian Lopez Alfonso, the Cuban Para-Olympian, was back racing in North America this weekend. Since he became a member of our family last year during his NYC surgeries my daughters insisted we drive 12.5 hours to Baie Comeau, Quebec, and see him race.

When we arrived it was 62 F degrees and foggy. The crucifixion joke punch line, “Peter, I can see your house from here,” ran through my head as I looked for Newfoundland in the haze. Loads of Baie Comeau men wear Capri pantalons and their wives love to bleach the tops of their hair and dye them vivid colors. Very nice people, all!

Damian was surprised, we hung out with him, he raced the TT and beat last year’s time, and we bolted before the Road Race. It was a lovely and sincere reunion. Thanks to the support of NYU Langone, his doctors, sponsors, and the NYC cycling community, he is ready for London. Thank you!

Ace McDade

Damian has an uncanny ability to draw children to him.

The Parade of Nations.

An interview with Bicycling.