Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I stopped at Catalyst Sports in Atlanta expecting to learn about adaptive bikes.
Instead, I met Desiree Stanley — one of those people who seems to have made helping other people her entire mission.
Catalyst Sports is a nonprofit organization helping people with physical disabilities get access to adaptive sports including cycling, mountain biking, climbing, kayaking and hiking. Desiree and her husband Charles run the cycling program and adaptive bike operation, helping riders find bikes and equipment that can be adapted to their individual abilities.
And this isn’t only for experienced athletes.
If you’ve had an injury, use a wheelchair, have an amputation or mobility limitation, are a veteran looking for adaptive recreation resources, have difficulty balancing a traditional bicycle, or simply don’t know what kind of adaptive equipment might work for you — Catalyst Sports may be able to point you in the right direction.
In this episode Desiree explains adaptive bike fittings, recumbent trikes, handcycles, special pedals and supports, VA programs, grants, insurance possibilities and the resources available to people trying to get active again.
One thing really stuck with me:
If you need help figuring this stuff out, ASK.
You don’t necessarily have to live in Atlanta. Desiree told me that even if Catalyst can’t directly provide what you need, she may be able to help identify resources in your area.
🚲 CATALYST SPORTS
Website:
catalystsports.org
Adaptive Cycling:
catalystsports.org/cycling
Adaptive Bike Shop:
catalystsports.org/bikeshop
Adaptive Funding & Resources:
catalystsports.org/resources
Veterans Programs:
catalystsports.org/veterans
Catalyst Sports is a nonprofit organization supported by volunteers and donations. If their mission means something to you, consider getting involved, volunteering or supporting their work.
0:00 Welcome to Catalyst Sports
01:10 Meet Desiree Stanley
01:32 What Is Catalyst Sports?
02:02 Taking Adaptive Bikes Across the Southeast
02:39 This Isn’t a Normal Bike Shop
03:38 Getting People Back Outside
04:00 Finding the Right Adaptive Bike
04:30 Building & Customizing Adaptive Bikes
05:04 How the Catalyst Bike Shop Started
05:35 They Need More People to Help
06:26 Adaptive Bikes People Don’t Know Exist
06:40 Giving Someone a New Lease on Life
07:18 Who Can Catalyst Sports Help?
08:10 Riding the Silver Comet Trail
08:53 Grants & Funding Adaptive Bikes
09:13 Desiree’s 8 Years Working at the VA
09:41 How I Learned About Adaptive Cycling
10:15 Resources Veterans May Not Know Exist
10:45 Insurance May Cover Adaptive Equipment
11:29 Grants & Adaptive Cycling Resources
11:44 Need an Adaptive Bike? Email Desiree
12:04 Why the Recumbent Community Is Different
🚐 VAN & TRIKE TOUR
I’m traveling around the United States in my van with my recumbent trike, meeting the people, shops, organizations and riders that make up the cycling and recumbent community.
Follow the complete Van & Trike Tour and see where I’ve been:
https://jayoe.mapmytravels.app/van-and-trike-tour-map
加油 — Add Fuel to Life.
#AdaptiveCycling #AdaptiveSports #RecumbentTrike #CatalystSports #Handcycle #DisabilitySports #AdaptiveBike #Veterans #Cycling #JaYoe @azubrecumbents
I stopped at Catalyst Sports in Atlanta expecting to learn about adaptive bikes.
Instead, I met Desiree Stanley — one of those people who seems to have made helping other people her entire mission.
Catalyst Sports is a nonprofit organization helping people with physical disabilities get access to adaptive sports including cycling, mountain biking, climbing, kayaking and hiking. Desiree and her husband Charles run the cycling program and adaptive bike operation, helping riders find bikes and equipment that can be adapted to their individual abilities.
And this isn’t only for experienced athletes.
If you’ve had an injury, use a wheelchair, have an amputation or mobility limitation, are a veteran looking for adaptive recreation resources, have difficulty balancing a traditional bicycle, or simply don’t know what kind of adaptive equipment might work for you — Catalyst Sports may be able to point you in the right direction.
In this episode Desiree explains adaptive bike fittings, recumbent trikes, handcycles, special pedals and supports, VA programs, grants, insurance possibilities and the resources available to people trying to get active again.
One thing really stuck with me:
If you need help figuring this stuff out, ASK.
You don’t necessarily have to live in Atlanta. Desiree told me that even if Catalyst can’t directly provide what you need, she may be able to help identify resources in your area.
🚲 CATALYST SPORTS
Website:
catalystsports.org
Adaptive Cycling:
catalystsports.org/cycling
Adaptive Bike Shop:
catalystsports.org/bikeshop
Adaptive Funding & Resources:
catalystsports.org/resources
Veterans Programs:
catalystsports.org/veterans
Catalyst Sports is a nonprofit organization supported by volunteers and donations. If their mission means something to you, consider getting involved, volunteering or supporting their work.
0:00 Welcome to Catalyst Sports
01:10 Meet Desiree Stanley
01:32 What Is Catalyst Sports?
02:02 Taking Adaptive Bikes Across the Southeast
02:39 This Isn’t a Normal Bike Shop
03:38 Getting People Back Outside
04:00 Finding the Right Adaptive Bike
04:30 Building & Customizing Adaptive Bikes
05:04 How the Catalyst Bike Shop Started
05:35 They Need More People to Help
06:26 Adaptive Bikes People Don’t Know Exist
06:40 Giving Someone a New Lease on Life
07:18 Who Can Catalyst Sports Help?
08:10 Riding the Silver Comet Trail
08:53 Grants & Funding Adaptive Bikes
09:13 Desiree’s 8 Years Working at the VA
09:41 How I Learned About Adaptive Cycling
10:15 Resources Veterans May Not Know Exist
10:45 Insurance May Cover Adaptive Equipment
11:29 Grants & Adaptive Cycling Resources
11:44 Need an Adaptive Bike? Email Desiree
12:04 Why the Recumbent Community Is Different
🚐 VAN & TRIKE TOUR
I’m traveling around the United States in my van with my recumbent trike, meeting the people, shops, organizations and riders that make up the cycling and recumbent community.
Follow the complete Van & Trike Tour and see where I’ve been:
https://jayoe.mapmytravels.app/van-and-trike-tour-map
加油 — Add Fuel to Life.
#AdaptiveCycling #AdaptiveSports #RecumbentTrike #CatalystSports #Handcycle #DisabilitySports #AdaptiveBike #Veterans #Cycling #JaYoe @azubrecumbents
