Chester Triplett and Michael Bissette compete in the Para-cycling Road World Cup in Ostend, Belgium. (Photo: Casey Gibson)

Two years ago, cyclist Michael Bissette and Para-cyclist Chester Triplett knew they would need time and hard work to create and cement their tandem biking partnership. The pair knew each other casually through mutual friends and cycling groups in their hometown of Charlotte, N.C., when they decided to pair up and compete together.

They weren’t sure how far the adventure would go, or how well they would do. The priority was to build trust, hone their non-verbal communication, dial in on a new bike and work on elite tandem riding skills — an involved and deliberate process.

Little did the two riders know that 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic, would give them an abundance of time to mesh.

“We never thought that we would essentially get a two-year training window. That is a huge surprise and blessing,” said Bissette, the team’s pilot. “Chester has big dreams. He wants to be the best in the world. I am 100 percent on board and want to be the best with him.”

Team Bissette/Triplett made their race debut in April at the U.S. Paralympics Cycling Open in Huntsville, Ala., where they won their time trial and road race events. It was a spectacular debut, giving them a lot of confidence.

The duo made their international debut in Belgium last weekend after finding success in a tune-up event in the first weekend of May, finishing fourth Flanders Para-cycling Ronde Classic. They cranked up the pace on the final 10K of the race and moved up two slots to take fourth.

In the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup in Ostend, Belgium, over the weekend, they took 11th in the road race and 14th in time trials.

“Huntsville was more like, we finally get to race, our first competition and a great opportunity to see where we are at,” Triplett, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran who is visually impaired due to Stargardt disease, said before the Belgium races. “I was really happy with how we did — it felt great. Now we’re here in Belgium, which will be a whole other level of competition at the international level. The best are here from South America, Europe.

“I’m really excited for us to compete and for the experience.”

Bissette and Triplett are all-in to chase their dream of reaching the Paralympic Games. The duo clearly have an easy friendship, smiling at each other’s jokes and showing affirmation when they discuss this shared goal.

“I knew who Chester was, and how awesome of a cyclist he was, so when the opportunity came for me to join him on this journey, I knew I had to be all in,” Bissette, 32, said. “I’ve told my family that this is my priority right now, this is extremely important to me, Chester, and my wife Emily. Chester and I consider myself this part of a vocation. We want to do our very best and reach the highest level we can.

“Sometimes people say they don’t have the time to chase a big goal or a dream,” he continued. “We’re making the time. I want to see Chester, and I, reach the best we can be. I am honored to share this journey with him.”

Triplett smiled at Bissette, and responded, “Wow. That is powerful. Thank you for that. I have no words to really express that — you said it well enough for me. I always like to think about the memories we are making together through our training and racing. I like to think when I am like 90, or not able to be at this level anymore, I am look back on these memories and know how precious they are.”

Their chemistry and trust, on and off the bike, will be tested in the months to come.

Their wins in Huntsville, plus their performances in World Cup, will prepare them for the U.S. Paralympic Cycling Team trials in Minneapolis in June. Reaching the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 is definitely part of the conversation.

The cyclists also want to increase the visibility of para-tandem in the U.S., seeing it as an area set for growth. Other parts of the world are ahead in terms of developing tandem cycling, which leaves Bissette and Triplett wanting to be the spark to inspire Americans.

“It’s a whole other dimension of cycling,” said Bissette, who grew up tandem cycling with his dad. “How cool is it to have a moment like this, in cycling, where we can expose it to Americans? I love it. Handbiking is really taking off. What could it be like if people out there could team up and ride on tandems? Find a new outlet and passion?”

Triplett sees the opportunity to ride tandems as especially beneficial to his fellow veterans and service members. He was an early honorable discharge from the Army because of his declining central vision, and the VA helped him find the world of tandem biking.

“It was my intent to make the Army my career, so when I was honorably discharged, I felt like I left something there on the table,” he said. “Flash forward, every time now I get the opportunity to wear the Team USA colors, I feel that same honor that I am representing and serving my country. It’s an awesome feeling, and we want to do our best to live up to that duty.”

Triplett/Bissette Tandem Unite For A Common Cause

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