A CALS research partnership with a local manufacturer of cycling products has resulted in a generous donation of new equpiment for University of Wisconsin Sports Medicine physical therapy patients.

On Wednesday, representatives from the Saris Cycling Group of Verona, including Chris Fortune, President of Saris’ parent company Graber Products, Inc., paid a visit to UW Sports Medicine’s facility on the west side of Madison. Fortune brought two bike trainers–which allow physical therapy patients to be evaluated on their own bicycles–as well as a cutting-edge stationary bike that is in Saris’ new line of products.

Fortune and Saris are currently partnering with the CALS Land Information and Computer Graphics Facility, headed by Steve Ventura, on a project that involves using geographic information systems to relate an athlete’s position and performance to the surrounding environment. Jeff Sledge, an LICGF researcher, outfitted a bicycle with a GPS unit and a device donated by Graber Products that records data about a rider, including heart rate and energy expediture. When combined with existing information about the landscape of the route, the result is a detailed picture of a rider’s performance, Sledge says.

The CALS-Graber research collaboration is an ongoing effort, and Ventura and Sledge have been able to spread the connection to other parts of the University. Sledge, a Sports Medicine patient, learned about the need for new cycling equipment for injury assessment and rehabilitation. Using his research connection, he was able to work with Fortune to arrange a donation, which Sports Medicine physical therapists say will be used to help cyclists with injuries recover and get back on the road.