Bicycle Built for Two
When you've spent months training for your first triathlon, nothing can stop you. Except maybe broken equipment. That was the problem faced by Mike Sousa, a Team In Training^® (TNT) participant from Rhode Island who participated in the Tri-America Triathlon Series Finale at WALT DISNEY WORLD^® Resort on Sept. 28, 2003.  

After completing his one-mile swim and 17 miles into the biking leg of the event, a broken bike chain guide stopped Sousa short. Frustrated and disappointed, he picked up his bike and began the dispirited walk to the finish line. That's when Jessica Smolen, a TNT participant from Georgia, found Mike and offered to help.

Mike and his "angel" Jessica celebrate at the finish line.

Realizing the bike was beyond a quick fix, Jessica did the unthinkable. She gave her bike to Mike and sent him on his way. Jessica, a cancer survivor who had already completed numerous TNT events, wanted to give someone else the experience of crossing the finish line. Jessica joined Mike again as he completed the remainder of the triathlon with a 6.2 mile run, and the two crossed the finish line together. A very happy outcome!