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Cycling a way of life; Nicholson on the move despite cerebral palsy Sep 11, 2002 - Richmond Times-Dispatch Daniel Nicholson treats his cycling opponents and cerebral palsy alike - he leaves them choking in his dust. The bushy-haired Richmonder recently returned from the Paralympic Cycling World Championships in Altenstat, Germany, with three gold medals and two world records. Next up on his list of goals is to capture an unprecedented five goal medals at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece. "At 31, I feel I have a couple good years of cycling left in me," said Nicholson, who works in the Garden Center at Home Depot on West Broad Street. "My goal is to win the gold in every event I qualify for." Nicholson, a graduate of Benedictine High and Virginia Commonwealth University, has struck up a deal with Home Depot. "You can't beat it - full-time pay for part-time work," the Fan District resident said with a friendly smile and a slight speech impediment. Home Depot subscribes to the U.S. Olympic Committee's Olympic Job Opportunities Program. This enables Nicholson to work 20 hours a week (with the equivalent of 40 hours pay) while also training 20-25 hours a week on courses in Varina and Goochland. The program also allows the flexibility for extensive travel. "Since '92, more than 300 athletes have worn the Home Depot orange apron," company spokesperson Katja Harzbecker said. "Twenty Home Depot athletes competed in Salt Lake City [2000 Olympics] and won eight medals - more than most countries." Qualifying for this sponsorship is not easy. Thousands of athletes apply. Only a few are selected. "A very small percentage," said Nicholson, holding the tip of his thumb and index finger about a half-inch apart." Nicholson would seem worthy of support based on a track record of success on the international level. His list of world titles in spring and endurance cycling go back to 1993, when he won a whopping seven events at the U.S. Cerebral palsy National Championships in Tampa, Fla. Cerebral palsy has never gotten the best of Nicholson, who has his own, built-in fan club. He is the second youngest of Jean and Joseph Nicholson's 11 children. The St. Benedict's Catholic Church member has been active in sports all his life and even made a go of it in football while attending Benedictine. Most of his sporting focus has been on cycling, but he also has represented the U.S. on several occasions in soccer tournaments. The 5-7 145-pounder has Popeye-sized forearms and only about 6 percent body fat. Cerebral palsy is defined as a weakness and lack of coordination of the muscles, resulting from damage (lack of oxygen) at or before birth. Once Nicholson climbs aboard a cycle, you'd never guess he lacked in any way. He competes locally for the Conte's/Richbrau Cycling team against what he calls "able-bodied people." "When I go out for a hard ride, I try and go with people better than me," he said. "On my lighter days, I ride with recreational cyclists." There is no offseason for Nicholson in his bid to remain atop his division, which is CP3 - short for cerebral palsy, third degree. "Eat, sleep and ride," he said of his agenda. There are four levels of competition for athletes suffering from cerebral palsy: C-1 and C-2 athletes are confined to wheelchairs, C- 4 athletes are affected only on one side of their body. "You can hardly tell a C-4 by looking," Nicholson said. His rigid training disciple enables him to keep cerebral palsy from gaining ground on him. "It can go one of two directions," he said. "If you don't work hard, you'll continue to lose your range of motion and your control of everything. The harder you work, the better your chances are of keeping it to a minimum." Nicholson, who is something of a free spirit, has been in the landscaping business for 14 years. He operated a couple of small yard-care companies and worked for four years at Maymount Park. He wears his thick hair long and free. It seems like a fitting fashion statement for a man who can ride like the wind. Dan Nicholson's cycling achievements go on and on. And so does Dan. Here's a list of some of his feats:
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