Mark Schwieterman has found a sense of freedom in cycling.
Riding his bicycle around Tippecanoe County eases opportunities and opens up his world while also giving him a heightened sense of self and independence.
It helps, too, how easy riding comes to him.
Schwieterman recently completed the Ride Across Indiana, biking the 160 miles from Terre Haute to Richmond in 13 hours alongside 562 others.
It’s the longest distance he’s traveled since he started riding in earnest five years ago. He’s won medals and awards at Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games, but this conquering this challenge holds a special place in his heart.
“I have wanted to do a long ride for many years,” Schwieterman said. “Cycling makes me feel free. I also really liked the little towns we rode through and the countryside.”
Schwieterman started riding every day during the Covid-19 pandemic as a way to get out of the house and exercise. He would take his fishing pole and tackle box sometimes and just see how far he could go to a different pond or lake. Until Ride Across Indiana, 50 miles was his farthest single-day distance.
His friend, Tim Nelso, who also is an avid cyclist, encouraged Schwieterman to take the 160-mile challenge. As Schwieterman extended his training, he found riding longer distances more fun than exhausting.
Lafayette County cycling coach David Henry wasn’t surprised.
“Mark has a big heart, and he loves to cycle,” Henry said. “He would often use it as his main source of transportation around town and to and from work. He has great pride in his ability to be mobile, and I think he finds a certain peace and satisfaction when riding.”
Henry has coached Schwieterman for two years and calls the 40-year-old a “natural cyclist.” His even-keeled personality lends itself to distance competitions.
“He is easy to coach and will do just about anything I ask of him,” Henry said. “I have not pushed him very much, because so much about riding comes to him naturally. I feel he has so much more he can accomplish in the future because so much of his potential is still untapped.”
The biggest hurdle Henry saw for Schwieterman early on was equipment. So, he gave Schwieterman one of his older Cannondale bikes, and it fit him perfectly.
That’s the bike Schwieterman rode across Indiana.
“We did a lot of long slow rides (in training), so we were used to being on the bike long stretches and work on building fitness,” Henry said. “Nutrition and hydration were big questions for us.”
Henry rode the first 100 miles with Schwieterman then encouraged his pupil to finish the trek. While no official records exist for it, event organizers believe Schwieterman is the first individual with special needs to ride the entire distance solo.
“I watched Mark all the way to that and knew he had a lot left and could make it,” Henry said. “He is very determined once his mind is set on a goal.”
“I really liked riding with all of the riders, Schwieterman said. “Finishing this ride made me feel great. I have had it for a goal for years. I drank lots of water to stay hydrated on the ride. I tried to eat right. It all paid off. I feel pretty proud of myself.
“I would like to do more rides.”