- November 28, 2024
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For the first time in her life, Miranda Jones was able to take a bike ride with her whole family.
As an adult with special needs and the oldest of four kids, it's been a struggle for Jones to keep up with her siblings' athletics. But since joining the Community Cycling Team in Ormond Beach, she's been enjoying a closer bond with her family while gliding on three wheels.
"Now we can all ride together," said her mom, Tish Jones. "It's been great, something that everyone can do together at the same time. Cycling is great equalizer for the family."
Jeff Beebe started the team earlier this year as a way to get his daughter, Allacyn Beebe, active and connected with other adults in the special needs community. Though the 19 year old is currently in Seabreeze High School's transition program, when she turns 22, she will no longer have the services of the school.
"It's a problem in the whole country," Jeff Beebe said. "A lot of them still live with parents, and they need interaction and a sense of accomplishment."
As coach of the team, he hopes to give them that by encouraging them to compete. This past weekend, they had five of their six members take home first place in the Florida Special Olympics Area 5 Summer Games. They practice for an one to two hours two times a week at Ormond Beach Middle School.
"This is the first time really in her whole life that Allacyn has been able to ride," Jeff Beebe said. "Now she's riding six miles a week. That's a big deal. I'd say most adults don't ride six miles a week."
