Costa Rica News – Leonel Solís is going to compete in November his fifth “Ruta de los Conquistadores.” His life changed drastically after the Cinchona earthquake, when he lost his hands, but his love of cycling was not taken from him.
He recalls borrowing bikes as a kid as he couldn’t afford one. He recounts the very first bike that he was able to buy. A year and a half later, in 2002, he signed up for his first race and returned to give it a second try in 2004. He won in endurance and became national champion. After losing his hands, he competed two more times.
After his accident, friends took to the internet to find inspiring athletes with disabilities and connected him with a Colombian cyclist without hands. He motivated Solís to get back on a bike. Solís now competes as a para-cyclist worldwide. He even participated in the Paralympic Games in Brazil.
His advice is that every person should practice a sport because it’s healthy and acts as a de-stressing therapy. Sports become a way of life, a way to get ahead in life, and a weapon against vices.
